Ebb and Flow...

We made it back from the trip...

In case someone's not sure what we're talking about...

We had a cruise/reunion/birthday-party thing to go to... (We love you Grandma!)

When we left, our car was still at Honda. Given that at least one other car associated with the cruise/reunion/birthday-party was kind of totaled due to things related to one of the things they were tracking down in our car, and another had transmission issues... I think we're glad we gave Honda an extra week! So...the car gave the Honda guys fits (I blame the ninja squirrels) but we didn't break down in the desert... I'll call this a win.

We did have a good trip all around though it did remind us that some days it doesn't pay to leave home... When we got back Lisa discovered that her dissertation committee chair is leaving for another university so she has to reorganize her committee (again...). On the bright side she remains the most cited researcher in her department at the university. She met with some folks already and it looks like the dissertation timeline she has in mind will work out (which is good).

In my side of the writing game... Don't know yet... ask me next time I post.
I have a meeting with with some fairly serious publishing people on Wednesday about the novel that I hope to have out in December. I have the latest version of the pitch put together and hope to have the latest edit of the book completely on the computer by the end of the week...

I am also working on the copy for the first book of next year. I also hope to have at least one if not two videos for this one up by the next time I post (fun stuff). I'm not going to say specifically what the videos or the book are about just now but...
If you find the concept of ballistic fragmentation of non-crystalline solids to be interesting or scary check back in two weeks... (trust me I've already made one neighbor jealous playing with the stuff for this one...).

So we're back...
We're working on stuff...
We're taking the good with the bad...
Even though some days we'd rather be here...

Or here...

But in any case we'll be having fun,
getting things done,
and...

hanging out with the gang!

That's it for this time. If Lisa doesn't post next week, see you in two...

What happened to the Honda???

"What happened to your Honda?" actual question I had to answer today...

The easy answer:
It's in for repairs.

The more detailed answer:
I told them it was the transmission, but they thought it was the front axle... then they thought it was the wheel bearing... then they figured out it was the transmission... (note: I will not be paying for the wheel barring or the axle). The upshot is that the car is in for repairs and it's taking longer than expected to fix it, but because they had so much trouble figuring it out they're comping the rental till they get the car fixed (behold the power of words... the writer (and no- car guy...) diagnosed the problem and is getting a discount...)

The long answer:
Ok, so there we were heading up Trail Creek to the secret Forever Mountain Publishing marksmanship training range (hey a security section's gotta train) when we were attacked by these ninja cows (note: most cows are not actually ninjas (but these were I tells ya))...dressed in all black...just at the edge of the shrubbery...

The car really is in for repairs and I can tell you the Civic that we have for a loaner isn't really my style... But it just fits in with the adventures...

Speaking of Other Adventures...
As I write this we're gearing up for yet another family reunion experience. Specifically Lisa is bombarding me with potential activities and I'm reassuring her that as long as I have a place to write and a soda I'm  fine...

I'm actually kind of looking forward to the family stuff but I'm also quite serious about the writing stuff (those who understand understand; those who don't understand stay away from my pen/paper/soda and nobody gets hurt ;-)  )

Also in the news we are apparently accepting tribute now...

One of the professors at ISU brought these to Lisa last week. It's actually funny, with everything going on we haven't had time to hunt for rocks. We definitely haven't had time to do anything with rocks. But... we still somehow end up with more rocks...

I also have some interesting research going on (as a writer/psychologist I can call just about anything 'research' and be at least partially accurate...)

but for some reason Lisa thinks guns and family reunions might not mix, so I'll save it for another post...

Speaking of writing (you know it had to be here somewhere...)
I'm actually fairly serious about that writing through the reunion thing... I've got an appointment for my book pitch on the 13th so I need to be ready. I also have the first draft I'm setting down to get ready for the pitch, next year's non fiction title, some short stories...

I would also like to point out to our single readers that it is a confirmed phenomenon writers attract members of the opposite sex (It's true, and if I repeat it enough I'll motivate Lisa to get her own new sidearm...). This can be a blessing or a curse... It's a blessing when it gets you something you want (like better service at a restaurant or dates for you single writers out there...) and a curse when you're stuck at a car dealership with an all out chatterbox...

Lisa reports she's got chapter three of her dissertation out for review and is well on her way to
re-reorganizing her committee so progress is being made...

I think that's it for this one...
Until next time...

beware the ninja cows!!!

Sidetracks

So many things were happening last week and the week before.  By the time we hit Wednesday, before the trip to California...well, I feel sorry for anyone who encountered us.  Our plates, minds, and emotions were definitely maxed out.

The trip was to attend Patrick's mom's memorial and a quick visit to my family.  My mom is still waiting to start chemo, but I still brought her some hats I made.

The trip began with big fat rain drops all the way down to Nephi.  At times the rain was so loud, I couldn't hear Patrick.  After a stop over in Mesquite and a nice breakfast buffet we headed across the Nevada-California desert.  Baker is the entrance to death valley, and on our first trip back to California we ended up leaving our car there.  So, needless to say we have a "Do not stop in Baker" rule.

So we drove through until we reached Barstow to have some lunch before we left I-15 to head towards Bakersfield.  After a nice lunch and refilling our sodas we were anxious to finish driving for the day.  Our car (or other forces) had other plans.  I could not bring myself to call the roadside assistance so Patrick had to do it for me.

While it took almost an hour to get a tow truck to us, the owner of Fast-Trac towing finally came and took us to his shop himself.  We had just decided to rent a car and let them fix ours over the weekend when Tony (the owner) comes racing back in from the garage and says "Cancel the rental car!  You are leaving here tonight in your own car."  While we did not like this little sidetrack on the way down, the down time was rather enjoyable and included a cockatoo that acted like a dog and imitated the cars outside.

After a nice service in Bakersfield and some enjoyable time with the Wilson cousins, we headed to El Segundo.  Upon arrival, I discovered that I had left my computer in Bakersfield.  Luckily we had exchanged numbers with George and Rich and after much texting confirming that the computer was indeed in Bakersfield, it worked out that Rich and Rob would bring it down as they were flying out of LAX.  While, I do have all my dissertation data, research, and writing backed up in the cloud, I was a bit of a mess until I had my computer back.  (THANK YOU RICH & ROB!!!!!)

We surprised Patrick with a pre-publishing party for the Chainmail Bottle Carrier book.  Just a small group of the El Segundo Laynes, 14 in total.  Madi and Wyatt made an awesome banner with fireworks!

Congratulations Patrick!

Mom and Marisa also made him a new writing shirt.  He does have some mayhem planned for several of his upcoming stories, so do be careful.

On our way back everything was going smoothly until we reached Payson.  We were both exhausted so we stopped in the Walmart parking lot and searched for hotels.  After getting dinner, we wonder if Patrick's blood sugar was low.  It was, however a much needed stop.

We did take advantage of the extra time and drove by the new Provo City Center Temple.  Having spent time in Provo attending BYU, the transformation was amazing.  One day we will go back and do a session there.  For this trip we took the time to go to the Mt. Timpanogas temple, adding to our list of temples. 

After a session in the Mt. Timpanogas Temple

And as a writer is never truly on vacation, I was able to grab a picture of my favorite writer at work (seeing as I had to wait anyways while those precious thoughts were noted in one of his notebooks).

Writing down thoughts in the Temple parking lot

And so we returned home after a quick trip, with several unexpected sidetracked moments.  The house was still intact, and the frig was quickly replenished.

And, while I have not been pulling my weight in posting, I do think I have a good reason.  Although I know that my mere 99 pages of a dissertation in progress do not come close to matching my favorite writer's page numbers.  But I think progress is happening - lots of red ink at the moment - just not on the first page :)

The current state of Lisa's dissertation.

Until next time, just keep swimming.

Ends and beginnings...

This post is even later than I thought but there is a lot going on...

First off, Lisa is working hard on her dissertation. She really has a lot on her plate and could use some positive thoughts, prayers and other support. There's a lot with her family too (those who know know and those who don't, it's not my story to tell).

As for me (sir Patrick)...
I'm still working on fallout from the boundary realignment for the ward; I have a book that's about to come out; next month is the month taxes are due; and I'll be going to a memorial for my mom who died in January.

On the bright side... Barbecue sauce!
Since I started the low carb thing it's seemed like barbecue sauce was a thing of the past, but not so! I've been a fan of Carolina style (mustard based) sauce since my mission and I've found a low carb  version that I'm working on modifying up.

Here's the basic version:
1/2 cup yellow mustard
2 Tbsp Splenda
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp white vinigar
1/4 tsp Cayenne pepper

It's a good basic version with a bite. I'm working on improved versions including modifications for chicken vs pork vs beef.

There will also be a red barbecue sauce later.

Sorry, no KC sauce (which in the minds of many barbecue people is really just white sugar that's been lobbed in the general direction of catsup anyway...).

I'm within strike range of getting the Chainmail book out. Hopefully it will be out before the memorial for my mom. I've got the information to do final edits at this point and two of the five videos are done.

I've got the pictures, video and audio for two of the remaining three. They just need final cutting together. The last one is one audio track away and that should be done tomorrow...

Speaking of the videos...
Here's number two...




Stay tuned for the other ones... We're going to set things on fire!

I've got a goal of two books out this year and with number one due out next month (and in strike range of it actually happening) and completed drafts for two novels (both in edits), I'm thinking it's going to happen.

As for the novels, one is at a point were I'll start worrying about showing it to people before too long. The other has a few issues that I want to work out before anyone sees it.

Occasionally people want to read a first draft and I won't let them...
With the help of Google Translate Sings here is a simulation of why...




First drafts aren't quite that bad but some days they get close!

That's it for this one folks. Always more to say...
but for arguments over 5.56 vs 300 Blackout, interesting shop projects, the adventures of people who don't actually exist, and the answer to what Lisa's dissertation is really about, talk to me after the book is out...

NO, REALLY... PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO TALK TO ME FOR THE NEXT WEEK OR TWO...

Small Steps and Big Changes

I was supposed to put up a post last week but there was a lot going on and I really didn't have the heart for it at that point...

What do I mean by a lot? Well, in addition to the standard "I'm working on a book," and "Lisa's dissertation..." There's the other book, and the videos, and calling and setting apart a whole new ward council to go with our new ward, and calling and setting apart all the other callings in the ward, and the training class I'm putting together, and Lisa's mom had health issues...
Oh yeah....
And my mom died last Sunday...

I'm not going to talk a lot about that last one right now (I'd rather wait till the memorial service is over and since I have no idea when that's going to be yet...) For now I will say that she will be missed. And, in about a year we can do her temple work...
Beyond that I'm really not going into that one right now.

In happier news my third editing pass on Johnson Farm is going really well. Hopefully at the beginning of next month I can get it out of my hands and start the next phase of my plan for that book. Hopefully it will be coming out in fall 2016 or spring 2017 (no I have not forgotten the novella (Abadon Woods) it is in the working schedule too; it's just that Johnson Farm is getting some traction...)

I am also moving forward with the chainmaille book. I'm on course to pick up editing the book again in March and to put it on the market in April. CBK has another first for me, it's the first book I've done that specifically includes links to video supplements.

Speaking of the video supplements the first one is live today!



The video is teaching a step in one of the projects that's easier to show than write about...
I've got scripts for three others ready to go as soon as I can get a volunteer to run the camera. They need live action and I've learned not to try to film and be the talent in the video!

There is a fourth video in the works (script in edits) and I have a glass project video in production as well. (see, I told you this stuff was coming!!!).

Lisa is working on chapter 2 of her dissertation as well as the actual materials and mechanisms for the data collection. Her adviser is reviewing chapter three. She is also working on conference proposals - a total of 4 (yes it's that time of year again...).

Until next time,
Try to have some fun and take care of each other...
(meanwhile I will be pondering fun terms like "search engine optimization" and "funeral urn")

Something I've learned

OK gang, today's post is a little bit different. Specifically the main point of the post isn't here!

Actually it's here, on Wordsmeanstuff.  Yes, the main point of today's post is on my other blog (not really planing on writing it twice!)

This is something from an actual event in the process of changing ward boundaries... which by the way is a pain in the (explicitve deleted).

In other news Lisa is hoping to propose her dissertation and gather the data this semester. Over on his side of the house Patrick has finished the first major editing pass for the novel Johnson Farm which, in spite of heavy pruning of words, has managed to gain 10 pages and about a thousand words in the process. There is also something about entering a national short story contest, but I'll get back to the fiction stuff in two weeks, or when I'm $3,000 richer which ever comes first.

That's it for this week.
Until next time remember,
no idea is a complete failure...
it can always be used as a bad example!

And so once again...

And so once again I have ridden through the desert on my horse with no name (Ok... this time it was a rental... and Lisa handled the driving part)...

Once again I have reason to be cocky...
As some folks know we took a trip out to Cali to see family. Sadly one of the reasons for the trip was my mom is not doing so well and we really needed to visit her. On the happier side Lisa got to spend some time with her family. My plans during this part of the trip were to eat guacamole, write, and drink soda until I mutated into a Minotaur... well sadly... no Minotaur... But the eating guacamole and writing went really well. Figure for the size and line count of the notebook I was using I should have gotten about 25 pages done on the trip. The actual score was closer to 60. I got no less than three good story ideas on the trip (with one over 50% complete...) and have made progress on the two non fiction items I want out by the end of the year; the rough draft of the one was completed just before we left and the the other is just waiting for cover art and printing. We brought a copy of a book Lisa is published in on the trip with us (an actual hard cover copy of the book. Not even a galley, an actual production copy! (congratulations Lisa)).

Lisa's sister Marisa read a teaser story for the novella (anticipating the teaser will be up on WMS before Thanksgiving. The novella will be out next year (under the current plan)). And Lisa's committee has given her verbal and email OK to propose (but she does wonder why she has to route a physical piece of paper around to get signatures for an online program).

Now, none of that has given the reason I have to be cocky (Ok... Author who will be published this year married to a published author who will be a Doctor next year... got to give myself that one...). The big reason I'm cocky is I made it through a long, stressful trip without using a single drop of insulin and with my highest blood sugar reading being a 143 (normal range is 80-120 they won't  even really use the word diabetic until 130 or 140...). So getting through the trip with numbers that low was really good. But they aren't all good days...

And once again... there's drama...
Lisa almost didn't want to go to work last Thursday. It turns out is was kind of a premonition. Somebody (and I can't even blame one of her coworkers because it was on another floor) managed to flood a bathroom on a floor above the ITRC, so they had work crews trying to clean up a flood right across from her office. It was pretty major in that they ripped up the base board from a fairly large area and stripped the insulation out of a room across the hall. As of this afternoon the the drying fans are still going. The worst part is that the @#$@#$@#!!! people they sent to do the work the first day were too dense to realize there were people trying to work in the offices around them, so they were noisy and rude.

Once again there are things on the horizon... Lisa will be heading off to not one but two conferences in the near future (I'm not going (trying to get work done). So, if the city burns down while she's gone... )). We're both up to our eyeballs in writing, research, organizing and trying to edumafy people. But, those are items for future posts...

Once again... I get to say "But wait! There's more!"
Once again... I get to put up a video!



Once again... Information Society (One of my favorite bands from the late eighties / early nineties) has released  new album.

Actually the album was released last year and I missed it... which is weird...
What is weirder, is that parts of the album actually fit with my novella which was started last year... before the album was released... There will be more about this and how the album relates in future posts here and at WMS...

And once again...that's it for this week...
Until next time... Forget Minotaur! Next year, one of Davy Jones' pirates from Pirates of Caribbean!

Memorial Day

Ideally Lisa is putting up another post that's an update on us. If not I will put it up tomorrow. Today I have other fish to fry...

Today is Memorial Day, that would be a day to remember those who served their country. Specifically it was put in place to remember those who died in war, but I think it is a good courtesy remember all those who've served and died in combat or not... (no I am not forgetting the living... that would be Veterans Day (and every other day of the year if you actually have any idea what our military family goes through...)).

In our (Lisa and my) family this count includes three grandfathers (I'm not aware of one of my grandfathers serving, but he has his own stories), a wide range of uncles, and a variety of cousins. These are real people who really put it on the line for our country, for our freedom, for us. We owe them a debt and  a great deal of respect. We are a country of the free because of the brave.

By all means take your day and enjoy the freedom that we have been blessed with, but take some time to remember the cost. Remember those who loved us and our country enough to pay the ultimate price. They did what they did for us.

I'm having a hard time expressing everything I feel about our military and those who've served (and I'm a writer, so I'd expect myself to do a better than average job!!!). I think I am going to end with a video that speaks to what I'm feeling. The music is by the band Sabaton. The video by GhostDog780430 (who really gets the history). I think this video speaks to all of our Veterans, all those who have served, but it is specifically about the Korean war vets. By the way, if you are related to the Westover family in any way pay attention: This was Popsie's war.



Bonus points if you can figure out how to apply what is being said in the song to your own life. Double extra bonus points if you can tie what's in the song to having served your country and having served a mission!

Well that's it for now. Lisa or I should be doing another post in the next day or so, so until then remember and do good!

Doubtful Beginnings...

Well, I believe we are finally back on track after an interesting week or three...

I should be reporting on a regional conference I was helping organize - Quality Matters this time around, in Seattle.  I was looking forward to it...had volunteered for too many things...but excited to be able to meet up and talk with some great people.  However, it was just not in the cards...

The weekend before was also something we both look forward to - General Conference.  We get to spend the weekend listening to various talks from the general authorities of the church as we knit, work on chainmaille, and discuss the various talks.  One of the predominant themes throughout the sessions was the importance of family.  This is something we both feel is extremely important, even if we do not have children.  We are still a little family of our own, and many of the principles still apply in our home.

We were looking forward to the quiet, restful weekend.  Patrick had been sick and needed rest, and I was overly stressed with work and school and the conference.  So my body did what any normal body should and it revolted by also getting sick, followed by Patrick joining back in.

We were packed and set to leave at 8am on Wednesday morning, but after another night of not so restful sleep and much getting up, and some contemplation on my responsibilities with the conference we decided we could not go.  I was very sad.  Luckily, all my responsibilities were shared, so I wrote notes, sent emails, and made calls to make sure everything went smoothly.

But some very interesting things followed, beginning with the decision to just take the rest of the week off.  I knew I would need the time to recuperate and it took off the daily decision of whether or not to go to work.

It was the best decision.

So with days filled with rest, little stress, and lots of relaxing, we were both able to get feeling better and spend some much needed time together.

Family is important.  And with all the connections we have with family, the one person you get to choose to be in your family is your spouse.  And while each family has traditions and ways of doing things, it is the relationship with your spouse that requires a lot of nurturing and work.  We did not do anything spectacular or have any really deep conversations, but we were able to nurture our relationship and remind ourselves that we chose to be a family.

By Saturday we were definitely feeling better and took time to do some things together outside of the house.

First, we headed over to a local gardening center and made miniature gardens (a definite Lisa thing - but Patrick made one too.)  After gathering our plants and pieces we both had places that needed something, so we brought them home and added....rocks of course!

We then went to our local gem and mineral show and picked up some more pretty rocks.

Lisa's stash has some lace agate, petrified wood, moissonite, and other pretty green and purple agates.

Patrick found some great pieces of blood stone, which the camera just could not capture, and Lisa picked up the black/brown obsidian. 

Patrick picked up another amazing piece of obsidian - if you hold it up to the light there are clear pockets!  And a beautiful blue-green agate - which we are both fighting over.

It was a good week, even if it's beginnings were doubtful and stressful.  When you listen to each other and the Spirit, good decisions happen.

We have definitely reinstated that we need to make sure we take the time to spend time together and nurture our little family.

And now to do more cool stuff with our pretty rocks...