Rough Patch (Still Bloggy After All These Years)

I guess it happens to everyone, but dang if it hasn’t hit me full on, just about knocking the teeth out of my dumb-looking head.

I’ve been lazy.  I can’t even say it’s anything like writer’s block, it’ s more like “Eh…Block.”  It’s been a strange and hectic fall and I’m REALLY trying to find my way back into being the productive son-of-a-so-and-so I’m usually known for.

QUESTION: Do you ever get to a point where you’ve got sooo much to do that you sort of sit back and think: You know, I don’t even know where to start. Do you ever get that?  I get that at work and I get it while I’m sitting in the Nerdery trying to plan and devise my next move.  It’s one part overwhelming and 82 parts frightening.  Now, don’t get me wrong…I’m able to take care of my author-ly obligations.  You know, the stuff I’m contracted for.  In fact, I’ve turned in my last 2 (of 3) books in a little early.  I think I’ll be done with the 3rd one well before it’s due in January.

That’s just how I do it, yo.

But that’s the thing.  I’m sort of spending some of my time working on the stuff I’ve been hired for and using the rest of the time (which I’ve sort of had a decent amount of) kind of…taking a break.  Oh, and playing Rock Band 2.  Lots and lots of Rock Band 2.  I don’t know what happened over the last week, but I can’t seem to put that stupid guitar down.  And get this:  I actually went out and designed what the rest of my band should look like.  Satch is our lead singer, Old Bill plays Bass and Shasta’s on drums.  We’re called The Chaps.  It’s kind of sad and pathetic, really.

But dang, it’s fun.

UPDATE: I just found out there’s a band (in the real world) called The Chaps.  It’s not pretty.

And don’t get me started on this dumb ol’ blog I’m barely keeping together.  I thought changing the name of it (anyone notice that by the way?) would give me a good kick in the seeds to keep it going.  I happened to look at the last post…October 7th!  What?  It’s like I skipped November completely.  Actually, I DID skip November completely.  That’s just what happens, I guess.

Anyway, I’m clawing my way out of this over-extended ‘break’ I’ve been taking.  I actually critiqued a few chapters of my pal’s YA novel-in-progress (and it’s finger lickin’ good, y’all), and I’ve been really locking down some of the details of the new MG series I want to pitch to the world o’ publishing.  I’ve got 4 books pretty much mapped out in my head, it’s just a matter of gettin’ it down and seeing how it all comes out.

Outside of that?  It sounds like we’re FINALLY going to get our last film RISE OF EL RETRETE color-corrected and DVD-ized for the world to see.  With any luck, it’ll be on the interwebsticles before the end of the year.  The oh-so-hilarious thing?  My producer friend is talking about gearing up for our next short film.  We’re going to be smarter about this one and not shoot it 4 nights during a work week and getting 3 hours of sleep before rushing off to our normal joe-jobs.

Consider that one to grow on.

Oh, and I’m thinking I want to learn how to play an instrument starting next year.  Namely a bass guitar.  I bought my almost 6-year old (Travis) a drum set for Christmas and I think it’s going to be fun to learn how to play and have our own goofy little rhythm section.  Also, I think it would be fun to (sometime in this lifetime) write and record an entire album.  Nothing fancy, mind you, just 10-12 songs that I’ve had some creative input in.  Mostly lyrics and what-not, since I can’t read music to save the world from destruction.

Remember that part in Goonies where Andy had to play the skeleton piano or they were all going to fall into that pit and die?  Yeah.  The Goonies would’ve been worm-food if left in my incapable hands.

There’s been other stuff going on, too.  My littlest guy is sleeping in his big-boy bed.  I go in to check on him every night (his room is right across the hall from my office “The Nerdery”) and it’s a comedy show every time.  Once he was sleeping underneath his old crib as his bed was LOADED with books.  Seriously.  He had like 40 plus books stacked on his toddler bed.  Another time he was on the queen size bed in there, a book opened up over his chest.

My oldest son is in Kindergarten and sorta liking it.  He’s telling me about his new girlfriend and how he’s definitely going to marry her.  I’ve seen her when I’ve gone to pick Travis up and the kid has got MOVES.  He doesn’t leave any doubt in this poor girl’s mind that he’s interested in her.  The bonus?  She seems to like him, too.  You know, as much as 5 year olds can. When asked what his favorite part of the day is, he’ll tell you: “Lunch.”  When asked why, his response is simple:  “You get to eat.”

Oh, did I mention that we got a new car?  Probably not.  I probably also didn’t mention that before the thing even had 1,000 miles on it, it got dinged whilst parked in a lot at work.  The jerk-face who did it didn’t even bother to leave a note.  A $500 deductible later and it’s going to be as good as new.  Good times, good times.

So yes.  This post has been all over the place and random and kind of well… dumb.  Consider it my “I’m getting back on track” post or like a portal to greater things.  The momentum is there, I can literally feel it building.  I just need to harness it, guide it in and show it who’s boss.

Because I’m the boss.  (Me. I am.)