Well, Lifehack, (2nd edition/revision of AZU-1:Lifehack) is finalized. It has an isbn code now, and a copy is headed my way for me to look over and approve before it officially can go up for sale on the interweb. Shortly after I approve it, I'll be setting up the hardcover version as well. I won't be ordering a huge stack of books this time, since I don't think too many people will feel the need to buy a slightly updated version of a book they bought 2 years ago- soon I'll be asking about 'pre-orders', so I can order an appropriate number of copies for the local crowd, and save us all a lot of shipping charges. Anyway, more on the (still undecided) launch day as it draws closer.
The hardcover version WILL be available on the net, but it's not really the type of book that usually does hardcover. This version will be mainly for collector types... myself, a few members of my family, and Carrie Shannon, who's request for a hardcover version caused me to create a whole new revision in the first place.
Alas, Carrie's store, 'Heron's book store and coffee shop', is no more, largely due to an awkward location. Lots of regulars will miss it. I don't know where else I should loiter now!
That's not entirely true... beside the starbucks-wannabe store half a block form heron's, (ew, it's SO dull and cold) I actually do a lot of loitering at the local community centre now. Besides being the new HQ for the MeadowRidge Optimist Club, there's also a fun drop-in thing in the gym 2 days a week, where I can go with Caitlin, (who turned 1 since the last blog post) and play on big toys, and meet other little ones.
The optimist club had a big showing on Pitt Meadows Day, and we were in the parade as well. So was Caitlin, strapped into my lap as we wheeled the route.
Frig, there's so much I could write about. 'Ping' left for China, maybe to return for a short time when she comes back to the area and looks for a place to stay closer to university. 'Radar' will be back for her grade 12 after spending the summer in Korea. 'Asuka' (from germany) is visiting with us right now for 3 weeks, which is awesome. She's the 2nd student to come back just to visit, (the first being Rei from Japan) suggesting that we're not jerks. In the summer, we will also be hosting two 10-year-old korean girls for a month, which is going to be a new experience for us, hosting for students so young. We had planned to do that last year, but ended up with the teachers, 'Snoopy', and ... oh, I forget the other one's code-name... then in september, we will be getting an all-new german student, as well as Radar coming back, as I mentioned.
Bah, so much to write about.. this is what I get for neglecting my blog for 2 friggin months. I should do separate entries for Caitlin's birthday, the new little assistants I have for taking care of her, my becoming the new 'primary caregiver', shine more of a spotlight on Optimist stuff... so much stuff going on.. now that I have a 'bonus' 3 hours of 'free time' 4 times a week, I might get more regular with blog posting... so much to do, so much to do...
Joseph Picard's writing projects and life ramblings including the kiddos, and life in a wheelchair.
Showing posts with label optimist. Show all posts
Showing posts with label optimist. Show all posts
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
The president has no dog.
The Lucy saga has come to a close. A mere day after that first family gave Lucy back to us, another family took her in. They had also responded to the craigslist ad. They have 3 boys, ages 5-12 if I remember correctly, and no other pets. All in all, it sounds like things have been going pretty good. So long Lulubelle. We'll miss ya. Kinda. Sometimes. She's a good soul overall, just.... well, not suited to our home as it has become.
In Optimist club news, last night we held the yearly elections. When the term changes over in October, I'll be the new pres. I kinda knew it was gonna happen. I held the door wiiiide open for someone else to step up, but I think most people were already assuming I was going to be president. I'm VP right now, and our current president calls me the 'co-president', since I take the helm when he's traveling for work, etc. And the fact is, I do a lot. I was also open to the secretary/treasurer position for various reasons, but the chips fell where they did. Here's hoping I don't **** it up TOO bad.
We're on the trail for this "walk for youth" we want to have on June 7. I sought out joiners at the elementary and the highschool. The elementary said that they already had a lot going on, but once I found the right fella at the highschool, it sounds like we might get a lot of participation from them. The pathfinders are pretty much guaranteed in, and the freshly elected VP for next year has plans for some local teams.
I also plan to look into a youth theater group, and the youth centre in Maple Ridge, when I can get out that way. If I'm lucky, tomorrow.
IF ONLY I HAD A CONTACT OR TWO WITH THE SAINT JOHN AMBULANCE CADETS (COUGHCOUGH)
In other news, I now have the fully-marked-up editing copy of Lifehack. Bit by bit, I'll be reviewing the proposed changes, and entering them into the manuscript. I also have to touch up the cover, add page numbering, and have a new photo taken for the back.
Yute progress is slow but steady. Me and the characters are still recovering from THE BAD SCENE, and when thier mood picks up a little, so will the pace of the writing, I think Either way, Yute or Lifehack is going to take the forefront at the temporary expense of the other.
Oh! I forgot! Caitlin's 7th tooth is almost done popping up, and the lil scamp can climb the entire starcase with very little effort! May 27th is her first birthday, and party plans are underway.
In Optimist club news, last night we held the yearly elections. When the term changes over in October, I'll be the new pres. I kinda knew it was gonna happen. I held the door wiiiide open for someone else to step up, but I think most people were already assuming I was going to be president. I'm VP right now, and our current president calls me the 'co-president', since I take the helm when he's traveling for work, etc. And the fact is, I do a lot. I was also open to the secretary/treasurer position for various reasons, but the chips fell where they did. Here's hoping I don't **** it up TOO bad.
We're on the trail for this "walk for youth" we want to have on June 7. I sought out joiners at the elementary and the highschool. The elementary said that they already had a lot going on, but once I found the right fella at the highschool, it sounds like we might get a lot of participation from them. The pathfinders are pretty much guaranteed in, and the freshly elected VP for next year has plans for some local teams.
I also plan to look into a youth theater group, and the youth centre in Maple Ridge, when I can get out that way. If I'm lucky, tomorrow.
IF ONLY I HAD A CONTACT OR TWO WITH THE SAINT JOHN AMBULANCE CADETS (COUGHCOUGH)
In other news, I now have the fully-marked-up editing copy of Lifehack. Bit by bit, I'll be reviewing the proposed changes, and entering them into the manuscript. I also have to touch up the cover, add page numbering, and have a new photo taken for the back.
Yute progress is slow but steady. Me and the characters are still recovering from THE BAD SCENE, and when thier mood picks up a little, so will the pace of the writing, I think Either way, Yute or Lifehack is going to take the forefront at the temporary expense of the other.
Oh! I forgot! Caitlin's 7th tooth is almost done popping up, and the lil scamp can climb the entire starcase with very little effort! May 27th is her first birthday, and party plans are underway.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
So long, Lucy
Doggone!
Our dog, Lucy, has gone to a better place. Somewhere in Burnaby. (Did I fool ya?) We stuck her up on Craigslist for free to a good home, because after 3 and a half years here, "Pain in the butt" had been turning into "Look, this just ain't workin out."
One of our neighbors has a couple dogs trained as attack dogs. They've already attacked our tenant's puppy who snuck under the fence, and later the 2 attack dogs snuck under another fench to chump on another neighbor's dog. When you have kids, why are you training your gods with padded "maul me" sleeves?
The other reason we wanted Lucy outta here is Caitlin. They get along GREAT. Except at meal time. Caitlin likes to share, and Lucy doesn't know when enough is enough. And yes, we did try a lot of things to make peace, but the beagle in her found a way to destroy all possible solutions in one way or the other.
I tried to put her on Craigslist once, and couldn't make myself submit the posting, but a week later, I managed it. I felt better once I got it through my head she's be going to another home, not a wood chipper. The home she went to has a 7 year old boy and a beagle/terrier, so that family is used to breeds with attitude. They go for daily walks in a dog park, and overall, it sounds like a great place for Lucy.
Say Aah!
At 10 and a half months, Caitlin's 7th and 8th teeth are finally peeking out, surrounding her 2 lower middle teeth. Crawling is a mastered art now. Standing without support has happened many times, but not for long. I think a solid 7 second count is the current record. And she has dance fever. Tunes from a few select noisy toys can get her rockin' out like there's no tomorrow. For food, she generally has whatever we're having, cut into manageable chunks in many cases, but a bottle now and then can supplement dinner if it's something she want very fond of.. though she seems to like most things..! Check Caitlin's site here.
Optimism in the streets
The MeadowRidge Optimist Club will soon have it's won website which I'm putting together with design/content guidance from the rest of the club. When it's up, the address will be posted here, on some business cards for members to hand out to whoever, and some signs for generic uses.
These signs will be making their first appearance at the first annual MeadowRidge Optimsit Walk for youth, which will be a part of the Pitt Meadows Day parade
Lifehack and Watching Yute
2nd edition of Lifehack is in the hands of my last of many volunteer editors. And maybe my dad might take a crack too.
Yute is still being chipped away at. Not much of a page count increase over 130, but a lot of segments are getting streamlined, and re-sorted from the sort of 'sketchbook' phase that many scenes get written in originally.
Game On
I'm pretty much done my Oblivion addiction, looking forward to LittleBigPlanet, Home, and Bionic Commando: ReArmed. (2d gameplay! SLICK 3d graphics!)
Now playing: Crash Bandicoot:Warped (had an urge for some platforming) and FF7. Why FF7 all of a sudden? Blame Advent Children. Sure, the flick isn't new, but it triggered new toys! Right now I'm surrounded by AC and original costume versions of Cloud and Tifa, original Aeris, and AC Vincent and Sephy, which I've been buying one by one since AC originally came out. I'm not trying to get them all, but 'Reno' is on my 'get me' list. Anyway, I guess having all these guys standing around got me in the mood to play the game.
Our dog, Lucy, has gone to a better place. Somewhere in Burnaby. (Did I fool ya?) We stuck her up on Craigslist for free to a good home, because after 3 and a half years here, "Pain in the butt" had been turning into "Look, this just ain't workin out."
One of our neighbors has a couple dogs trained as attack dogs. They've already attacked our tenant's puppy who snuck under the fence, and later the 2 attack dogs snuck under another fench to chump on another neighbor's dog. When you have kids, why are you training your gods with padded "maul me" sleeves?
The other reason we wanted Lucy outta here is Caitlin. They get along GREAT. Except at meal time. Caitlin likes to share, and Lucy doesn't know when enough is enough. And yes, we did try a lot of things to make peace, but the beagle in her found a way to destroy all possible solutions in one way or the other.
I tried to put her on Craigslist once, and couldn't make myself submit the posting, but a week later, I managed it. I felt better once I got it through my head she's be going to another home, not a wood chipper. The home she went to has a 7 year old boy and a beagle/terrier, so that family is used to breeds with attitude. They go for daily walks in a dog park, and overall, it sounds like a great place for Lucy.
Say Aah!
At 10 and a half months, Caitlin's 7th and 8th teeth are finally peeking out, surrounding her 2 lower middle teeth. Crawling is a mastered art now. Standing without support has happened many times, but not for long. I think a solid 7 second count is the current record. And she has dance fever. Tunes from a few select noisy toys can get her rockin' out like there's no tomorrow. For food, she generally has whatever we're having, cut into manageable chunks in many cases, but a bottle now and then can supplement dinner if it's something she want very fond of.. though she seems to like most things..! Check Caitlin's site here.
Optimism in the streets
The MeadowRidge Optimist Club will soon have it's won website which I'm putting together with design/content guidance from the rest of the club. When it's up, the address will be posted here, on some business cards for members to hand out to whoever, and some signs for generic uses.
These signs will be making their first appearance at the first annual MeadowRidge Optimsit Walk for youth, which will be a part of the Pitt Meadows Day parade
Lifehack and Watching Yute
2nd edition of Lifehack is in the hands of my last of many volunteer editors. And maybe my dad might take a crack too.
Yute is still being chipped away at. Not much of a page count increase over 130, but a lot of segments are getting streamlined, and re-sorted from the sort of 'sketchbook' phase that many scenes get written in originally.
Game On
I'm pretty much done my Oblivion addiction, looking forward to LittleBigPlanet, Home, and Bionic Commando: ReArmed. (2d gameplay! SLICK 3d graphics!)
Now playing: Crash Bandicoot:Warped (had an urge for some platforming) and FF7. Why FF7 all of a sudden? Blame Advent Children. Sure, the flick isn't new, but it triggered new toys! Right now I'm surrounded by AC and original costume versions of Cloud and Tifa, original Aeris, and AC Vincent and Sephy, which I've been buying one by one since AC originally came out. I'm not trying to get them all, but 'Reno' is on my 'get me' list. Anyway, I guess having all these guys standing around got me in the mood to play the game.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Update with uninspired title!!
Ah, another of my frequent blog posts.
Baby news- Today Caitlin is 9 months old, and has discovered that legs can be helpful in crawling.
Book news-
-Lifehack (2nd edition of AZU-1:Lifehack) has it's editing copy in the hands of the 4th (of 5?) volunteer editors. When it's done it's tour, it'll be my turn to look at all the points they've marked, and correct all the ones I agree with. Some editors have mentioned they disagree with some things other editors have marked, so this tells me that they're being picky for little things, which is good..
-Watching Yute- had gone on pause while I was doing my initial edit for Lifehack. Since Lifehack's been out of my hands, I went through what I'd had for Yute, and applied the same standards to it, that I have to Lifehack. Formatting especially. I recently finished this editing pass through what I had written before my attention was drawn to the Lifehack project, so now I'm poised to break new soil in the story. It's 100 pages right now, and I'm approaching an even in the story I've had planned form the beginning, but am also dreading.
-Optimist news-
Well, the chinese newyear dinner/celebration was completed. I won't say without a hitch, but overall, it was a success. Both the MeadowRidge Optimist club and the Pitt Meadows Lions seem to be keen on doing it again next year, with a few more tweaks. This year we mainly stuck to the 'same old' which had worked in the past, but some things could use a bit of freshening up.
On the horizon we have several events brewing.... a walk for youth fundraiser/PR event, which we hope to attach to the Pitt Meadows Day parade, a bike safety event, (personal irony for me, huh?) and of course our eye gazes towards halloween, for our next showing at the Ghost Ridge haunted-house type event, which it looks like we'll have more planning input this time, since our efforts last year were so appreciated. I have a plan for a new exhibit in the haunted house, called 'The Meatlocker', which aside from being new, and not yet another horror movie rip-off, it will also serve to "un-group" clusters of visitors half way through. People tend to subconsciously clump together for safety in numbers, making it hard to surprise anyone but the leading few in a mob- the meat locker begins with a butcher, only letting a few visitors through the door at a time, robbing them of much of the confidence they may have built up at that point. I don't want to leak what happens once they're in.
-Art news:
Wow, there's none, really. I still haven't released a picture for the sake of having a picture, since may. On the other hand though, contracted art has been busy as heck. That would be great news if I didn't horribly undercharge. Last night I delivered a refil/update to a fella's business cards, some new signage for my HQ bookstore, I have a display box design open in another window right now for Wysi Wipes, my wife's mommy club keeps tossing lil tasks at me, I did a sign for a ford dealership which I've yet to invoice, I'm waiting for feedback on a logo for the Pitt Meadows Community Foundation, and a knitting needle 'track sheet' for a client's customers.
Fun? Some yes, some no. But it's been kinda hammering inspiration for my own stuff out of my head. I've been tempted to take a more realistic direction with my art.. I used to do some great realism portraits, then I got the anime bug. Oh well, I'll focus on this new direction when all 5 books I have planned are done, graphics contracts are less in number, and Caitlin moves out.
Baby news- Today Caitlin is 9 months old, and has discovered that legs can be helpful in crawling.
Book news-
-Lifehack (2nd edition of AZU-1:Lifehack) has it's editing copy in the hands of the 4th (of 5?) volunteer editors. When it's done it's tour, it'll be my turn to look at all the points they've marked, and correct all the ones I agree with. Some editors have mentioned they disagree with some things other editors have marked, so this tells me that they're being picky for little things, which is good..
-Watching Yute- had gone on pause while I was doing my initial edit for Lifehack. Since Lifehack's been out of my hands, I went through what I'd had for Yute, and applied the same standards to it, that I have to Lifehack. Formatting especially. I recently finished this editing pass through what I had written before my attention was drawn to the Lifehack project, so now I'm poised to break new soil in the story. It's 100 pages right now, and I'm approaching an even in the story I've had planned form the beginning, but am also dreading.
-Optimist news-
Well, the chinese newyear dinner/celebration was completed. I won't say without a hitch, but overall, it was a success. Both the MeadowRidge Optimist club and the Pitt Meadows Lions seem to be keen on doing it again next year, with a few more tweaks. This year we mainly stuck to the 'same old' which had worked in the past, but some things could use a bit of freshening up.
On the horizon we have several events brewing.... a walk for youth fundraiser/PR event, which we hope to attach to the Pitt Meadows Day parade, a bike safety event, (personal irony for me, huh?) and of course our eye gazes towards halloween, for our next showing at the Ghost Ridge haunted-house type event, which it looks like we'll have more planning input this time, since our efforts last year were so appreciated. I have a plan for a new exhibit in the haunted house, called 'The Meatlocker', which aside from being new, and not yet another horror movie rip-off, it will also serve to "un-group" clusters of visitors half way through. People tend to subconsciously clump together for safety in numbers, making it hard to surprise anyone but the leading few in a mob- the meat locker begins with a butcher, only letting a few visitors through the door at a time, robbing them of much of the confidence they may have built up at that point. I don't want to leak what happens once they're in.
-Art news:
Wow, there's none, really. I still haven't released a picture for the sake of having a picture, since may. On the other hand though, contracted art has been busy as heck. That would be great news if I didn't horribly undercharge. Last night I delivered a refil/update to a fella's business cards, some new signage for my HQ bookstore, I have a display box design open in another window right now for Wysi Wipes, my wife's mommy club keeps tossing lil tasks at me, I did a sign for a ford dealership which I've yet to invoice, I'm waiting for feedback on a logo for the Pitt Meadows Community Foundation, and a knitting needle 'track sheet' for a client's customers.
Fun? Some yes, some no. But it's been kinda hammering inspiration for my own stuff out of my head. I've been tempted to take a more realistic direction with my art.. I used to do some great realism portraits, then I got the anime bug. Oh well, I'll focus on this new direction when all 5 books I have planned are done, graphics contracts are less in number, and Caitlin moves out.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Edit copy of Lifehack ordered
That's about all I have to say..
been busy spooking folks at the 'Ghost Ridge', but managed to get a little work done yesterday.
(ghost ridge is a volunteer 'haunted house' type event, staged in 2 barns.. one for 14+, one for kiddos....) At the end of it all, the clubs helping run the show split the money. I'm there with my Optimist club, 'natch.
I took the 3rd night of the event off to go to a friend's halloween party. My one yearly excuse to get good n plastered, and I did a darn fine job of it. The world was still kinda spinny at noon today.
Back to the ghost ridge tonight for 3 more nights of 'acting'.....! Then I'm gonna pass out until thursday, when Oblivion GOTY edition gets here... as some point in there, I'm going to get moving on 'Watching Yute' again.
I haven't given many updates on the international students front lately.. but today I got an email from 'Asuka' (from Germany) She's considering coming to visit in the summer...!
been busy spooking folks at the 'Ghost Ridge', but managed to get a little work done yesterday.
(ghost ridge is a volunteer 'haunted house' type event, staged in 2 barns.. one for 14+, one for kiddos....) At the end of it all, the clubs helping run the show split the money. I'm there with my Optimist club, 'natch.
I took the 3rd night of the event off to go to a friend's halloween party. My one yearly excuse to get good n plastered, and I did a darn fine job of it. The world was still kinda spinny at noon today.
Back to the ghost ridge tonight for 3 more nights of 'acting'.....! Then I'm gonna pass out until thursday, when Oblivion GOTY edition gets here... as some point in there, I'm going to get moving on 'Watching Yute' again.
I haven't given many updates on the international students front lately.. but today I got an email from 'Asuka' (from Germany) She's considering coming to visit in the summer...!
Friday, October 12, 2007
Lifehack passed 90%, Ghost ridge, every day shooting.
The lifehack revision passed 90%. I can see the finish line..! LEt's all keep in mind though that after that, I still have to send a copy around to my new volunteer editing taskforce. I'm not going to hold my breath while that happens, so it'll be a good time to attack other writing projects.
I'm torn between my 3 options.
-Continue "Watchihng yute" which is at about 75% done the first draft,
-Attack "Lucy Doesn't get it" more, (Which SHOULD be a pretty small project.. ha..)
-Hack away at "Wasn't worth the parking space" my gimptacular semi-autobiographical... thing.
Maybe I'll just let my whim take me about them all.... I'm attacking Lifehack hard right now because it needs to get done, and get finished, and I can finally put the first story on the shelf, and not have "azu-1:Lifehack" nagging me so badly. Yes yes, a creative work is never DONE done, but AZU1 needed help badly.
Aside from fixes, I've also added a few neat scenes that flesh things out, and I've come clear a bit out WHERE Autar, Meston and Yute are, which lays a bit of groundwork for Watching Yute, and the third book.
In MeadowRidge Optimist news, things are going gangbusters on the ghost ridge project, which is pretty much taking all out attention right now. Did I mention before that I'm slated to be an actor for the show? As a gory yelling victim. Whee! I might be able to fend of Ninjas on a regular basis, and mash up people's ankles with the greatest of ease, but that doesn't make me any more menacing as a guy in a wheelchair jumping out saying 'boo'. I'm gonna need a lotta energy drinks to get through this thing... it goes on for a week...!
Our past president still wants us to go in with the Coquitlam club's Walk for youth, but I think by far the majority find november to be too short of notice to do it justice, and we're also eager to do our own thing. The walk itself (our own) will probbaly end up happening next spring, giving us loads of time to make connections for participants through schools and such.
My PS3 has been a happy camper lately. While waiting for "Oblivion: Game of the Year Edition" (oct17) so I can continue the saved game from the original version which I rented for a friggin month, I've been doing a little warhawk... It's a neat game, but not really my thing. I got it mainly because of the deal I snagged on it, and the free headset thingamabob.
Yesterday was a good update for the PSN... MY fav downloads yesterday?
-Video teaser for 'Fallout 3' (fall 2008) Made by the same guys who made Oblivion
-Demo for the new 'Ratchet & Clank' game
-Downloadable purchase ($10) of 'Everyday Shooter'.. Simple controls, OLDskool code-driven graphics, and addictive as heck... and somehow amidst all the action, strangely mellow due to the soundtrack and musical sound effects..
I'm torn between my 3 options.
-Continue "Watchihng yute" which is at about 75% done the first draft,
-Attack "Lucy Doesn't get it" more, (Which SHOULD be a pretty small project.. ha..)
-Hack away at "Wasn't worth the parking space" my gimptacular semi-autobiographical... thing.
Maybe I'll just let my whim take me about them all.... I'm attacking Lifehack hard right now because it needs to get done, and get finished, and I can finally put the first story on the shelf, and not have "azu-1:Lifehack" nagging me so badly. Yes yes, a creative work is never DONE done, but AZU1 needed help badly.
Aside from fixes, I've also added a few neat scenes that flesh things out, and I've come clear a bit out WHERE Autar, Meston and Yute are, which lays a bit of groundwork for Watching Yute, and the third book.
In MeadowRidge Optimist news, things are going gangbusters on the ghost ridge project, which is pretty much taking all out attention right now. Did I mention before that I'm slated to be an actor for the show? As a gory yelling victim. Whee! I might be able to fend of Ninjas on a regular basis, and mash up people's ankles with the greatest of ease, but that doesn't make me any more menacing as a guy in a wheelchair jumping out saying 'boo'. I'm gonna need a lotta energy drinks to get through this thing... it goes on for a week...!
Our past president still wants us to go in with the Coquitlam club's Walk for youth, but I think by far the majority find november to be too short of notice to do it justice, and we're also eager to do our own thing. The walk itself (our own) will probbaly end up happening next spring, giving us loads of time to make connections for participants through schools and such.
My PS3 has been a happy camper lately. While waiting for "Oblivion: Game of the Year Edition" (oct17) so I can continue the saved game from the original version which I rented for a friggin month, I've been doing a little warhawk... It's a neat game, but not really my thing. I got it mainly because of the deal I snagged on it, and the free headset thingamabob.
Yesterday was a good update for the PSN... MY fav downloads yesterday?
-Video teaser for 'Fallout 3' (fall 2008) Made by the same guys who made Oblivion
-Demo for the new 'Ratchet & Clank' game
-Downloadable purchase ($10) of 'Everyday Shooter'.. Simple controls, OLDskool code-driven graphics, and addictive as heck... and somehow amidst all the action, strangely mellow due to the soundtrack and musical sound effects..
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Lifehack 83%, Became VP of my busy club
After a lull, I've gotten re-motivated. (I always do this kind of thing in bursts.. better than pushing through a lull and writing crap, in my opinion) Anyway, as of 5 minutes ago, I passed the 83% park of my revisions.
Keep in mind this doesn't count the doubtless extended time my editors will take. I have a much larger, and more focused volunteer force this time. Funny thing is, when I was looking for proofreaders for AUZ-1:Lifehack, it was a tooth-pulling experience. Now that AZU-1 is out, and people have read it, its much easier to enlist people for the 2nd edition...
This could be a combination of two factors at play-
1) Now that people have seen a BOOK from me, as opposed to a printout manuscript, the reality of it all makes it seem more legitimate, more real. I had a similar experience with my art, long ago... When I was drawing stuff on paper or on the computer, my dad dismissed it as "faggy art crap".. He never SAID that, but probably thought it. Then one day I handed him a copy of Splash 3D (which has since evolved into Super Splash 3D ) -With my art on the cover, and in the game. Suddenly he could see my art as a PRODUCT. Something more concrete. Something that might make a buck. (Of course, it didn't make much, since the marketing was a non-entity...) It was like a lightbulb went on over his head, I could see it in his face.
2) The other factor could be that people read AZU-1 lifehack, and were so horrified by the typos that they felt they needed to help for the sake of the health of literature as a whole.
In other news, as of October 1, I've officially become the vice pres of the MeadowRidge Optimist Club. (Service club aimed at helping local youth.. check out the international page for some general info)
So now, aside form my usual duties of graphic design for the club, occasional minutes taker and newsletter writer, and balloon inflater, I have to assist in laying down any required smack. Our new pres, Peter, often has to travel for work, so chairing the meetings will fall to me on those occasions.
The club's also looking at a number of new projects, the next of which is assisting with "Ghost Ridge" an annual even in Maple Ridge that's kinda a haunted house affair, the size of a barn. We were involved a little last year, but this year we're 1/5th of the volunteer force, and walking home with an appropriate portion of the money raised. It'll be our biggest funding draw yet by far.
We're also checking out the logistics for running a little concert/benefit to fight child abuse, and we're going to be ding the manhours for a Xmas hamper campaign funded Via the company my wife works for.
We're in the first stages of setting up a walk fundraiser, and looking at ways to improve on our cashwash efforts next year, which was a blast this year.
Oh! And my wife officially joined the club! Originally she wanted to keep clear of it, "that's your thing, Joe, You should have your own thing without me hanging on." (Paraphrasing) But she's been sucked in..! Baby Caitlin's an unofficial member..
Keep in mind this doesn't count the doubtless extended time my editors will take. I have a much larger, and more focused volunteer force this time. Funny thing is, when I was looking for proofreaders for AUZ-1:Lifehack, it was a tooth-pulling experience. Now that AZU-1 is out, and people have read it, its much easier to enlist people for the 2nd edition...
This could be a combination of two factors at play-
1) Now that people have seen a BOOK from me, as opposed to a printout manuscript, the reality of it all makes it seem more legitimate, more real. I had a similar experience with my art, long ago... When I was drawing stuff on paper or on the computer, my dad dismissed it as "faggy art crap".. He never SAID that, but probably thought it. Then one day I handed him a copy of Splash 3D (which has since evolved into Super Splash 3D ) -With my art on the cover, and in the game. Suddenly he could see my art as a PRODUCT. Something more concrete. Something that might make a buck. (Of course, it didn't make much, since the marketing was a non-entity...) It was like a lightbulb went on over his head, I could see it in his face.
2) The other factor could be that people read AZU-1 lifehack, and were so horrified by the typos that they felt they needed to help for the sake of the health of literature as a whole.
In other news, as of October 1, I've officially become the vice pres of the MeadowRidge Optimist Club. (Service club aimed at helping local youth.. check out the international page for some general info)
So now, aside form my usual duties of graphic design for the club, occasional minutes taker and newsletter writer, and balloon inflater, I have to assist in laying down any required smack. Our new pres, Peter, often has to travel for work, so chairing the meetings will fall to me on those occasions.
The club's also looking at a number of new projects, the next of which is assisting with "Ghost Ridge" an annual even in Maple Ridge that's kinda a haunted house affair, the size of a barn. We were involved a little last year, but this year we're 1/5th of the volunteer force, and walking home with an appropriate portion of the money raised. It'll be our biggest funding draw yet by far.
We're also checking out the logistics for running a little concert/benefit to fight child abuse, and we're going to be ding the manhours for a Xmas hamper campaign funded Via the company my wife works for.
We're in the first stages of setting up a walk fundraiser, and looking at ways to improve on our cashwash efforts next year, which was a blast this year.
Oh! And my wife officially joined the club! Originally she wanted to keep clear of it, "that's your thing, Joe, You should have your own thing without me hanging on." (Paraphrasing) But she's been sucked in..! Baby Caitlin's an unofficial member..
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