Author: Writer guy

Don’t look down

Writer guy

Entrusting your life to another man is one thing, and sounds scary as hell because it is. Letting your father-in-law belay you up and down a thirty-five foot wall punches that trust up to a whole new level.

The Wife, a few relatives, friends and myself went rock climbing last Saturday. Much to my surprise, I enjoyed the experience. The massive facility was an indoor climbing park with a variety of routes from the very novice to the very experienced. Developing a feel for the ropes and carabiner took some practice, but once mastered, the basics are straightforward. Rock climbing just might make a good second hobby for me. I’ll go again.

Interestingly, though I have serious issues diving off boards more than twenty feet high, I had no problem looking down a thirty-five foot wall with nothing but a quarter inch rope between me and cement.

I must note that the father-in-law is in serious condition for a man in his sixties. In a side by side race to the top, I barely edged past him for the win. Let me emphasize the barely. A good reason to stick with a work-out regimen.

On fire

Writer guy

I’m savoring the pre Team Eagle Eye edit process. There’s something rewarding about smoothing the rough edges off a manuscript that’s like polishing a large tarnished collection of silver. The work can be tedious, but as the pieces begin glittering, the monotony is forgotten.

Working with the manuscript like this also reminds me that I find the story interesting. After focusing exclusively on a single project since October 2004, time has a way of numbing out some of the old youthful enthusiasm. At the onset, I thought the idea could work as a novel. Two and half years later, after reading through it, I still think it works as a novel.

Hopefully, other people get a chance to concur. Or dissent. Either works for me.

Dedicated

Writer guy

Nothing says creature of habit quite like robbing the same Taco Bell 4 times. Talk about frequent flyer, the clerks recognized the crook from prior runs and opened the register for him willingly, rather than bother with the ritual: “This is a robbery! Give me all your money.”

It’s good to know your customers.

Who said Spring?

Writer guy

The seven day students have de-boarded, bound for spring break, which means the faculty are on vacation. As such, things are pretty quiet at work this week.

By some twist of climatic alignment, the temperature hit 73 yesterday. So it’s not Cancun or Bali. I have ducks and geese and a nice pond to look through the windows.

I reached page 220 with the top down handwritten edits, and should finish tonight. Friday I’ll print out the revised manuscript and start over at page one again. So far, the cuts total about 1500 words. Not too shabby. Unless I really missed a cue, the final length will clock out just north of 92,000 words. Team Eagle-Eye is a crucial arbiter of that, however.

On a personal note, Buddhapuss and Electra are at the vet for an annual Senior Wellness Exam. Suddenly my cats are geriatric. Perhaps we can collect Social Security. The vet scheduled a MRI scan for Buddhapuss, because it’s impossible to feel his organs through all the…fur.