Update on my projects including an exciting new one.

I thought I would bring the three people who read my "blog" up to date on what is going on with my projects. I know it has been quite some time since I have written anything on here. Why? Well....

First, the long running projects:

                                        Villainous Rational (tentative title)

The last time I wrote on my highly neglected blog I was informing you about a four part series on villains I was developing. I am still working on it semi-actively and am enjoying the subject a great deal. Recently I have found, and have been exchanging emails with, a writer from Santa Fe who has worked on a story about one of the villains I will be focusing on. I am hunting down material for that character but it's taking some time finding this particular se7en part comic series (based on a movie)
I have no deadline ( perfect for a person who suffers from what I do) which means it will be done when it's done. To paraphrase Gandalf; 

                                  "A Writer is never late, nor is he early. He finishes precisely when he means to."

                                          My comic

I am still working on it but have begun to look at it from a different angle. I take it out on occasion and go through some things. I expand the outline, work on characters, and work the script for issue #1. I am in no rush.


                                          Poker book

I actually have two poker books I'd like to do. One is an adaptation of a famous book, and the other is more for fun. When I find the time and I am in that mindset I will return to the second one. The other I am not so concerned about.

                                          Short stories


I easily become bored. My mind wanders at incredible speeds and is always fifty steps ahead of me. Unfortunately I'm not quick, nor smart enough, to keep up with it or use it to my advantage.  
  I have many short stories started. Sometimes I say "fuck it" and never intend to go back to that particular one. Sometimes I realize it belongs in a different world but am unsure of what that is. A few times I realized that a story I'm working on, specifically the main character, is in fact a part of the comic I am slowly piecing together. All these things keep me from working on any particular story for very long. It's as though.... look! a kitty!


                                       Crimson and Covers


     

   This is a project I am truly in love with. This is the "radio" show I started working on a long time ago. It is dedicated to cover songs of every genre, by artists of every genre. The first episode was put together months ago but due to my own ineptitude and the fact computers are my mortal enemies, I have been unable to finalize it as of yet. 
I have several shows already planned out and ready for me to record my DJ(?) parts, but until I figure what I did wrong they will also have to wait.  I do manage to post videos from time to time on the Facebook page.



                                      


                                        Second Breakfast

           

         Huh. I haven't even thought of this in quite some time. Second Breakfast is a little music project I would like to do. Basically me with no talent (bad voice and simple bass guitar) writing a song on occasion and having some friends add guitar or other instruments to it. This would be done long distance, so who knows what it would end up sounding like or how frustrated I would become?


                                  

My newest and most personally challenging project 


Okay. Some background is in order in case you do not know me well. 
I have been battling anxiety and depression for twenty five years. These things developed into agoraphobia around fourteen years ago. It has been a horrible experience and close to fatal at my darkest times. I am vastly improved but have quite a ways to go. I work hard at changing my life back around, to function as normally as I can.

I have been in contact with the founder and editor of a small and new online magazine out of England called Chucktown. We started discussing an idea I have for a series of articles. I would be following a certain historical Old West icon through my current home of  New Mexico. I would be interviewing the people of these small towns, getting their perspective of life there and of the history of this man. 
The history, sites, and the people who now occupy these historical towns would merely be a backdrop. The real story would be about me, an agoraphobic man, taking this solo journey around the state. About whether I can even complete any or all of it. I am only just beginning to travel locally around the west side of Albuquerque and Rio Rancho without total fear or panic attacks. Yet within the next couple of months I am willing to jump into the deep end of the pool, uncertain if I can even swim. This both excites and terrifies me. 

I have also been in contact with a well-known historian who has been extremely helpful. He offers guided tours in the town where much took place. I would like to do this as well as interview him. These things, and the journey itself, are not free, or even cheap.

I will most likely be doing a funding campaign for this journey as I am not being paid for this by Chucktown. This is something I feel I need, and have to do. It is a huge undertaking but I have to try to push my frightened self further than ever before. After all of this I will then compile and expand these articles into book form. My hope would be this could benefit someone who suffers from the same thing. To let them know it is possible to take their lives, at least a good part of it, back. Also, I would hope to finally support myself with writing. Social Security is not a way to live. Getting off of it, doing better mentally, and doing something I love in order to support myself is the dream. A dream that once seemed impossible. Now? It is starting to feel that it is not only possible, but that I am on my way to actually doing it.


I thank you for your time.

David


Post Script. 

If any are interested in helping me let me know. I could also use guidance on what funding site would be best.

And if any artists out there would like to work with me on the comic, let me know. I would love to collaborate on it.


Update: September 7, 2015

I have decided I will not be doing the project for Chucktown owning to changes they have gone through. I fully intend on continuing with this project, however, it will be solely for a book.

I have put all my other projects on hold for this but have also added a project. I would like to write an article for True West Magazine. I have picked my subject and have frustratingly been researching. I am in the process of writing two versions at the same time and may add a third. Why? Because I am unsure of the angle I wish to do this story. I figured I would give myself a few options. 

That's all for this update.

Thanks for your time.

42

FORTY TWO! Or if this was counted like it is in the Beautiful Game, I’d be in my 43’ (what’s the symbol for year?)

Now, there are some who say that the number 42 is the "answer to life, the universe, and everything." I don't know about all that but then again I'm not the wisest wizard in Middle Earth. Sure, I have gained experience and a little wisdom in my life but I definitely do not have any of those answers...yet. 

What has happened or changed for me in this most recent trip around the Sun? Well, I’m chubbier, greyer (OK,OK. "More grey"), slower, more forgetful, and have the sudden need to buy a Porsche!

Other things have been happening as well. My anxiety and agoraphobia are being well managed and I’m in the early stages of gaining a life again instead of barely having a mere tiny existence.

A good example is that I had been volunteering at a comic book shop, the first “work” I had been able to do in perhaps six or seven years. I was even making friends here in Albuquerque! Unfortunately most of that changed (as things do) when the shop suddenly closed simultaneously creating a great many Nerd refugees (Nerdugees, if you will.) Several of us are now roaming the desert looking for the Promised Land, our Nerdvana. Thankfully, though, there are no comics carved from stone having to be retrieved from a mountain top, golden carbonite calves, or a dark lord chasing us across a marshy plain where we’re hoping the winds will pick up or an extreme tide will hit.

On the family front, for the first time in pretty much the forty two years I've been here, my

Dad, the Bob c1976

Father and I have began to talk fairly frequently. It’s been a couple of months but compared to the way we were it’s like we’re two cackling hens that can’t shut up.

A very young Riah

As young adults tend to do, my Daughter is struggling to find her way. She'll be fine because 1, I love her, and 2, I'm her Dad! Little 3p0 is getting big and acting the same way her mother did at that age which I must say I'm finding a guilty satisfaction in! As always her hair is reminiscent of the tangle of snakes upon Medusa'a noggin. However, I must say she is much more adorable! Oh! And the female parental unit is doing pretty well too.

3p0

 Using the Schwartz, I’m beginning to see a new phase for me. It is still blurry but perhaps the picture will become clearer soon. I won’t go into detail, however, because I still have the beast of self-doubt slowly dripping a poison in my ear. It is becoming easier to find a temporary remedy for said poison, but I’m hopeful I will find the antidote of self-confidence to keep it at bay on a much more consistant basis.

The exploration of my surroundings are increasing but there are still obstacles. A few trolls guarding the bridges to the East side are prime examples. Soon, I believe, I will be able to answer their riddles or just punch them in the nose and give myself permission to cross.

As of now I have only a few goals for the next three hundred and sixty-five rotations of Midgard:

1: To become less Jabba-like

2: Continue to find something I enjoy, and using that to earn my way through life.

3: Continue to work on my mental well-being

4: I am still a fellowship of one. Yet for the first time in what seems like many ages of man I am willing to add some companionship in the near future. I’m not exactly the most eligible or desired bachelor, but I can tell the occasional joke, pick a good movie, and order a good pizza! 

Yes, ladies, I'm single. 

Before this comes to an end I have to once again thank all my friends for the well wishes on this, anniversary of my birth. It helps immensely when I hear from you. 

(Nothing witty to sign off with)

Thank you for your time

                                       David