Hello, Blogger... it has been awhile!!
I guess every time Fall rolls around, I get the urge to start writing again (not so much technical writing; moreso other kinds... fiction, blogging, fictional blogging, etc.). I say every fall, because I can see that my last note on here was from October; therefore, it must be every fall, because everything must fall nicely into a pattern that I can understand, since if I can understand it, I can control it, or at least try to; and so it must be. Did I ever tell you I have a novel I've written a good 75% of? It's not a very serious one (a sci-fi/western if you must know... designed to be a trilogy if I can make up enough stuff; which, you know, I can, by the way), but I sometimes think about pulling it out and seeing if I can complete it to my satisfaction, edit the heck out of it, and then make it available in some published format or another.
Speaking of published formats, I do still find the digital formats to be kind of unsatisfying; honestly, it's not just that it seems less satisfying... it actually is; less of your senses are involved. Yeah, downloading books and music is pretty convenient, but it feels like it carries a little less significance if you can't pick it up and hold it in your hands. There's something to be said for the feel of a book, the smell of its paper, and the sound of the pages turning. Its the same with music. I'd buy a cassette when I was a kid, and pour over the liner notes for hours as I enjoyed the music, making sure I didn't miss any details. I love to know who's behind the scenes creating everything; why it sounds like it sounds, and who helped it sound so great, what other artists I am familiar with who are friends with the artist who made the record (I wonder, did they ever work together on anything else? I love a mystery...), who do they thank, etc. Does that sound creepy? I don't really think so; it's nice to know where things came from. So I still buy CDs and actual books (though I have an iPod, and I load all my CDs onto that, too... I won't lie, I like the convenience of carrying around my musical library in my pocket just as much as the next guy).
All that to say, I'm not sure if my novel will ever see print even if I do finish it, but at least I'll make a digital release. I'm not such an idealist that I can't appreciate what technology has done for making it accessible to distribute your own work easily and without a huge investment of money; that part is really cool. There are also print on demand outfits, so I do that for my novel as well; you know, keep one for myself, sign it, keep it in mint condition in my bomb shelter downstairs, and see if I can sell it on eBay in 30 years or so for some serious cash, since it was a rare signed edition; I don't think I'm missing any of the ingredients for an amazing retirement plan there! There may be a wildcard variable in there somewhere regarding the doubtfulness of my novel becoming famous enough to warrant that kind of optimism, but I'm sure all that stuff will sort itself out in the end.
I read two Isaac Asimov novels (Caves of Steel and The Naked Sun) over vacation and the week after vacation (and finished up a Louis L'Amour novel I started months ago as well). And yes, I enjoyed the smell of the pages and the sound of them turning, but not as much as the story. It just doesn't really feel like summer unless you have a chance to read a few good books. I've read both those authors from as far back as high school, so I'd be lying if I said there wasn't some nostalgia involved whenever I pick up one of their stories; it takes me back to simpler times, even when its a far off tale of the future.
Those of you who know me well are probably aware that things which take me back are kind of a big deal for me (am I the only one?). Even just this last year I've 1) bought a number of CDs that I used to have on tape that I really loved back in the day 2) bought a few cartoon series on DVD that I enjoyed as a kid that I can force my daughters to enjoy as a kid ;-) (actually, the secret is probably out by now that our 80's and 90's cartoons were far superior to most of the modern junk... with a few exceptions like Samurai Jack, The Clone Wars, and Avatar the Last Air Bender) 3) gone camping at a place we used to camp at nearly every summer while I was a child, and 4) wrote this really long, numbered sentence about how many nostalgic things I've done this year. I don't think those things are harmful if they help you recall some things worth remembering. I wouldn't want to be stuck in the past, but sometimes its helpful to take a look at where you've been to better appreciate where you are and what course changes you might need to make to get to where you want to be. That may not seem to have much to do with the Season 2 Smurfs DVDs that I just ordered, but you'd be surprised how much other stuff comes back to you when you get in those reminiscent moods. :)
So, I've been doing a lot of that; reminiscing and planning. That's a nice way to enter Fall (which always makes me feel nervous and optimistic... those long associations of school never really go away, and now that I have kids, its even better!). I hope you're looking forward to the new season as well, and that you've got plenty of good memories to look back on. If you don't, may you have opportunity to make some good memories to look back on very soon.
Adieu!
Steve*
*Ps. Please call me "Stephen" if that form seems more youthful and artistic and if "Steve" conjures up an image of an old, rather uncool guy with a beard that is even older and less cool.
