“Anyone who wishes to become a good writer should endeavor, before he allows himself to be tempted by the more showy qualities, to be direct, simple, brief, vigorous, and lucid.”
– H.W. Fowler
How Do You Sleep
Living in the Material World
Inquiring minds…
…wanted to know what I had planned for this 4th of July holiday weekend. They will likely be disappointed to find I am digging up my potatoes, painting four chairs (red), bathing the cats because they have fleas, and doing a little writing. So, I hope everybody has a great holiday. If you’re in the neighborhood, stop by and have a slice of watermelon. We’ll talk about Ken Kesey and Thomas Hardy.
Could be worse…
My stitches came out yesterday so I’ll use that as an impetus to continue work on Return to Xylanthia (that’s a working title). My injury is on the mend. The new story is shaping up nicely and it picks up where the first book, Xylanthia, ends. It’s the second book in yet another sci-fi trilogy by yours truly with enough creatures, space and time travel and weird cosmology to distract even the most ardent Star Trek fan.
Had they not been able to sew my finger back together, I would have opted for a bionic finger, a la Steve Austin, or maybe a BIC lighter holder.
Or maybe, I could make a fashion statement.
New Digs
I’m getting used to the layout around here so please bear with me. It’s going to be a different sort of blogging experience at The Blog than I am accustomed to. I’m actually expected to come up with something meaningful to say. So, first things first, it’s great to be here and if a real human being is reading this, then good on ya for being human.
You know, humans aren’t all bad. They’re just not all good. Have you considered whether you have more good in you than bad? Maybe you’re a relativist and so the question is moot. But how would you judge that anyway? What would be your measuring stick? The Bible? The Koran? Science? Karl Marx? Are you moral and faithful until the end or are you just good for a couple of go-rounds and a giggle?
According to Socrates, we spend our entire lives in a grand illusion, searching for meaning. On one hand, I agree with that. But, on the other hand, I have seen the stars and I know what they are! I should qualify that…
A star is a celestial body formed by stellar gases and dust coalesced through gravity and pressure into a burning thermonuclear orb. A star like the sun makes light, gives warmth, propels photons and electrons and all manner of good tidings to the planet Earth and in return we smile at the great orb in the sky.
I have other, more specific knowledge about our sun and stars, but the paragraph above does a good job explaining the extent of my knowledge in a nutshell. I mean, if someone came along and asked me who the boss of the sun was, I’d have to think about it. It’s not a conventional question, I know, so let me put it like this: Does our sun and our little solar system where we live idyllic lives on Earth (just kidding!) have a larger purpose in the make-up of the Sagittarian arm of the Milky Way? Maybe. Maybe not.
I’m rambling, of course, but it’s all in an afternoon. I am nearing completion of the second book of my new trilogy and am very happy with what I have so far. A new book of short stories is also being compiled. That’s another exciting project I hope to see come to fruition early next year.
So, stay tuned. I’ve got a new blog to play with. This is TommyBoy. Over and out.
Signal to Noise
We Are Live!
The Blog was not created as an instrument of destruction, rather it was always intended to edify and illuminate; hopefully, to guide young minds, enlighten all ages, and of course, sell books. Sometimes Thomas will be here, sometimes it'll be Karl or maybe Marilyn if we can wake her up. The Blog is getting a facelift and works just fine if you'd like to rant a little in the Comments section but we'll be officially open soon. So stop by for a dose and a free hot dog. Open bar, comme d'habitude. Please don't forget to tip your bartenders and waitresses.
