17 years and it feels like nowhere near long enough. We’ve been through so much, been so many places and come so far. I can’t imagine what I’d have done without you.
One thing’s for sure; it surely wouldn’t have been anywhere near as pretty.
Target: 1600 words
Written: 742 words, novel: Father Lightning
Read: In Search Of The Castaways, Jules Verne (and there it is, the cannibal savage trope)
Comics: WildC.A.T.S. 26-29
Music: Flag Of The Shriners, State RadioTraining all day. Being utterly bored. Other people’s drama.
It’s enough to make a guy want to go to bed.
And not in the fun way.
Target: 1600 words
Written: 1545 words, novel: Father Lightning
Read: The Black Unicorn, Terry Brooks
Comics: Grifter & Midnighter 1-4
Music: Firestarter, The ProdigyThat was cruel. Even though Billy Joel is the worst, it’s not my place to tell people what they like and don’t like. Challenge them by exposing them to better (much better), sure.
But outright condemnation and insults?
That’s beneath us.
Sorry, kid. That was rude. I won’t yuck your yum, even if your yum is a bland piece of unseasoned chicken breast, boiled for too long.
Target: 1600 words
Written: 1349 words, novel: Father Lightning
Read: The Black Unicorn, Terry Brooks
Comics: WildCats Nemesis 7-9, WildC.A.T.S. v4 1
Music: FireCracker Lounge, SublimeMy niece loves Billy Joel, and I can’t help but think we didn’t raise her right.
I mean, she’s a teenage girl from Gen Z. What is she connecting with? His bland, insipid, lifeless form of mediocrity is among some of the worst examples of popular music to ever exist.
You don’t need uptown girl or the piano man, child.
You need therapy.
Target: 1600 words
Written: 1466 words, novel: Father Lightning
Read: The Black Unicorn, Terry Brooks
Comics: WildCats Nemesis 3-6
Music: Fire Water Burn, Bloodhound GangSome people are just fucking awful.
I thought we’d moved past this, and things were starting to get better; instead we fall back into old patterns.
Manipulative, selfish, deceitful patterns.
I want to walk away, but I can’t.
Target: 1600 words
Written: 1958 words, novel: Father Lightning
Read: Castle Of Wizardry, David Eddings
Comics: WildCats 3.0 12-15
Music: Figure 8, Elliott SmithIt’s like ongoing comedy at times, like when I pre-tank my book sales because of the florists’ boycott, or when I mistype said as saiad, and immediately decide that this is the new name for a depression nymph.
All this to avoid thinking about the slap in the face, the spit in the eye, the return to stupid games and lies by one of the most selfish individuals we have in our life.
Christ, I’m tired of insecure narcissists and their manipulative selfishness, with no regard as to who they hurt, or the lasting effect of their lies.
Target: 1600 words
Written: 2588 words, novel: Father Lightning
Read: Dead As A Doornail, Charlaine Harris
Comics: WildCats 3.0 8-11
Music: Fight For Your Mind, Ben Harper (Another Lonely Day is my favourite walking around song)It’s been a day.
We’re gonna sleep.
Because I sure as hell didn’t last night.
Target: 1600 words
Written: 1751 words, novel: Father Lightning
Read: Gregor And The Marks Of Secret, Suzanne Collins
Comics: WildCats v2 14-15, WildCats: Ladytron 1, WildCats Annual 2000 1
Music: Fegmania!, Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians (don't ask)Man, I love that kid. It’s a shame we have to leave today; at least we had fun.
Ice cream and new basketball nets and arts and crafts and Zootopia 2, plus the elevator game, where I lift her up, say what floor we’re on and then whatever absurdity happens to be on that floor (a floor full of Nanas, a floor of giraffes eating corn on the cob, a floor full of zombies, she loves that one, and the floor full of old people waiting to die).
We have weird tastes.
(I’ll tell you about my nieces and Russian Bear sometime).
Target: 1600 words
Written: 1905 words, novel: Father Lightning
Read: Side Hustle: From Idea To Income In 27 Days, Chris Guillebeau
Comics: WildC.A.T.S.: Mosaic 1, WildCats v2 7-9
Music: Feelin' Kinda Patton, Patton OswaltI mean, didn’t everyone?
But, yeah. I’m supposed to be better than that. I still think, that to this day, she’s one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen.
I’m also in awe of the kindness and compassion she shows, which is actually more attractive than her appearance ever could be.
Indeed, that kindness and compassion is one of the sexiest attributes anyone can have, regardless of gender or appearance.
Being a hateful thing only serves to strip of allure even the most beautiful of us.
Just ask Brigitte Bardot and her Marine LePen supporting ass.
Target: 1600 words
Written: 2093 words, novel: Father Lightning
Read: Side Hustle: From Idea To Income In 27 Days, Chris Guillebeau
Comics: WildCats v2 1-3, Wild Times: Grifter 1
Music: Fearless (Taylor's Version), Taylor Swift (no comment)To all the mothers out there, human, dog, cat and other, we see you.
And to people who had shitty moms or absent mothers and love to point that out today, we see you as well, but maybe let the good mothers have one day. It’s no disrespect to you for other people to honour those that loved them.
It might be painful, but it’s not always about you; it’s hardly ever about any of us.
Target: 1600 words
Written: 301 words, novel: Father Lightning
Read: Still Just A Geek, Wil Wheaton
Comics: WildC.A.T.S./X-Men 3, Wildstorm Ultimate Sports Edition 1, Grifter v2 14, WildC.A.T.S. 42
Music: Father Of All Motherfuckers, Green Day (I'm not sure if this was appropriate today or not?)