'6 random things about me' meme

From Charles - Like Charles, I usually don't go for these things but I'm bored and feel like rambling.

1.) Baseball. I really don't follow other sports, and I don't follow much outside of the Red Sox. I was in Little League for one season. Ironically, I wound up on the 'Red Sox' and, like the real team at the time, we tied for first place in our division but lost in a playoff tie-breaker. But thinking back now, it was a neat thing when our coach told us mid-season that we were competing for first place. None of us knew until then. It was a real "Wow!" moment.

2.) Shirts. I really enjoy a comfortable casual shirt. I look forward to cooler weather when I can put on the flannels. A few years ago I discovered VermontFlannel. They are more expensive but they are made in U.S.A. so if you're interested in one for Christmas, by all means stop by and support them. I've been acquiring one shirt per year but missed this year because usually instead of ordering online, I buy one at the Topsfield Fair. We couldn't go this year because it was too close to Linda's due date. Maybe Krampus will bring me one.

3.) Books. Not only do I read, but I collect certain books. Not first editions of Mark Twain or anything, mostly paperbacks. I have nearly all the Conan books - Howard originals and pastiches alike. I am three short. I have all the Ian Fleming James Bond novels. Complete sets of some S&S series - like, Flashing Swords and Swords Against Darkness. One thing you might not suspect is that I am a Joseph Heller (Catch-22) fan, too. I have hardcover copies of all his books except one. I was fortunate enough to have some generous friends who bumped into Joe annually and secured me two personally autographed books from him. I only regret that we never found a way to get me to the annual party to meet him in person.

4.) Guns. I grew up with guns but I don't own any. (I do own some rapiers and a Maori warclub, though, so be careful when you come knocking. ;) ) We weren't a hunting family so I rarely fired guns but I knew where the ammo was and how to load and unload. As Charles said, it's about respect not fear. Or, it should be.

My father and I ordered a flintlock Tower Pistol (1750 British Colonial pistol) kit from Connecticut Valley Arms back in the day. (Apparently they don't do recreations anymore, and that is a shame.) The finished product still hangs over the fireplace back home.

5.) Hobbies. Speaking of that pistol, if I had extra time (and money - be careful what you wish for in this economy ;) ) to indulge in more hobbies, black powder shooting would be one. Not with modern muzzle loaders but with historical pieces/kits as I have an interest in that. Aside from the hobbies that I currently attempt to keep up with (reading, writing, guitar, old Xbox games I've barely touched.) I would add to the list - tabletop miniatures (Warhammer/Warhamer 40K), more video gaming with a new system (PS3, maybe?) and I'd love to try an organized RPG - preferably find someone running a Solomon Kane campaign!

And I'd really like to get back to hiking. For me it's more about seeing wildlife than conquering mountains, though, so just walking through the woods is fine, too.

6.) Writing. I started this blog to make posts about writing and fell off that wagon (as evidenced by this self-indulgence) as I fell off the writing wagon. For any who wants to read more about writing, hang in there. I do have plans for a historical novel. My hope is to thumbnail the outline and characters sketches in December and start writing again in January with a New Year's resolution.

We'll see how that pans out with the baby and all. ;)

Thanks for reading.

Of all the gall

So, apparently it's not unheard of to have a gall bladder attack as a result of pregnancy/delivery.

Linda's okay now but we lost a few days in the hospital last week. She will have surgery next month to remove her gall bladder.

Luckily, both sets of grandparents are relatively close-by and were able to round robin. The baby had no issues switching temporarily to a bottle with formula.

At least I got some reading done at the hospital. Finished Witch Finder and started S. M. Stirling's The Sky People.

Over-and-out for now.

Full Metal Elves

Because I have a twisted sense of humor, I find this extremely funny.

NSFW language.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydF9rHC02Hg