The Return of Ghost Dogg

DWCC dropped off the radar a few months ago, but if only 5 people follow a blog, who cares? On the other hand, when you think that we manage to be pretty self-involved as a species with the billions of stars in the billions of galaxies out there, my words among the mere millions of blogs out there are a hell of a lot weightier. So suck it.

Anyway, to catch up:

Back problems popped up this spring. I was in a pretty bad car accident at 16, and I broke my back in the Army, so I guess it was only a matter of time before it settled accounts with me. I've been moving around like a 60-year old for about 6 weeks now, and it's no fun. It's not like I want to train for the Chicago Marathon or join the French Foreign Legion any time soon, but when it starts sapping my energy for writing, then the line gets crossed. I went to the VA, and anyone who knows me can infer a lot from that.

School is over for a couple of months. It's my fourth year of teaching, and I'll admit that this one, for a variety of reasons, was the hardest yet. I've come to the conclusion that I'm not a lifer, though, and with that a number of adjustments will have to be made. I wish I could go into more detail about this, but discretion forbids me. For now.

The sequel to Ghosty: This Fenceless World is at about 17K words. Its working title is Ghosty II, but hopefully a better title will come along soon. I've sent out about 15-25 queries so far, received about 4 form rejections, and have been trying to keep my spirits afloat, to mix metaphors. When I see the river of crap that's been published out there, I tell myself: "It's not about talent, clearly. So even if your stuff stinks, eventually you will get published." At the very least, I'll self-publish by the end of the year.

I've been trying to rid myself of my negativity by rereading my Alan Watts and Zen books. I recently finished The Way of Liberation by Watts and am now rereading Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind. This summer I'm going to take up meditation again like I was doing about 10 years ago. Can't hurt.

Bought a scale a couple of days ago. I'm weighing in at a hefty (for my frame) 182. The wife and I have struck a deal that for every 10 lbs. I shed, a reward will be forthcoming. So I've been batting some ideas around: an air pistol, a complete set of the Jeeves and Wooster DVD's, a set of cigars?...more to follow. The back will be helped by the lightened burden, I'm told, and I can definitely use the exercise.

I've got a couple of ideas for short stories I want to write this summer. When I finish them, I'll post them here. One involves Henry David Thoreau. Another one is just a title: "Man vs. Totleigh Towers"--basically, how would Bear Grylls handle among Betram Wooster's horrific relatives and acquaintances.

This afternoon, a trip out of town. More on that later.

6 days until the A-Team movie comes out.