J.R. Murdock

Hey Crew,

Another day, another 1000 words. I’m ready for NaNoWriMo. I shouldn’t have a problem hitting my word count. Except on Nov 6th when I’ll probably be glued to the TV watching election results. But hey, I’m a political junkie. It’s like my world series.

Speaking of the World Series, I did catch parts of a couple of the games. Looks like the Red Sox dominated every game save the 18 inning game which I did get to see the end of while in Vegas. Very cool.

Speaking of Vegas, wow. Did that trip run me down? I’d gotten food poisoning at some point in the last day or two we were there and it was a struggle driving back home knowing I needed to stop or wonder if I could actually trust my next fart. We did make a couple stops along the way and boy howdy did I need those stops. By the time we got home, I had a raging headache and not from a hangover (though we did tie one on the last night we were there 🙂 ). I’ve got video evidence of just how much fun was had as we raced spouses in the luggage trolleys. Good times, good times.

So yesterday was a terrible day as well. I had crashed Sunday as soon as we’d gotten home. Felt a little better yesterday, but wow I needed to crash again. After a couple of naps, toast, rice, and bananas, I was much better today.

Today was fun. I knew before I’d gone on vacation that I’d have a couple of new tasks for work. What I wasn’t expecting was 4 new tasks and each of them quite different and two of them not really something I’d worked on before. It’ll take some research and digging, but I’ll figure them out. Working in data security for a large company is interesting and challenging and that’s what I love about my new job. It’s not the same thing day after day.

Back around to writing. V&A 3 is chugging right along. I’ve already introduced two new characters to the universe that will have far-reaching consequences. One beyond this book, the other in this book. Not sure where it’s all headed at the moment, but I’m excited to find out. When I convince myself to actually sit and start typing, wow, it’s so much fun. Vic is still Vic and really wants to be in charge, June is the mother hen of the group and tries to keep everything together. Joey, well, he’s Joey and if you know what happened in book 2, he’s still trying to deal with everything. B.T. Justice? Let’s just say that he’s in dire need of a hamburger 🙂

Tomorrow is an early morning. Normally I read in the morning, but I’m thinking of doing my bass practice in the early morning hours so when I’m done with work, I can work out, dinner, dishes, and get to writing. You know, get into a routine.

With a new puppy in the house, a routine will be a challenge. I’d forgotten how much attention they demand and how often you need to run them outside before you get a surprise on the floor. In the coming days, I’ll post a picture or two of the little one. Her name is Koda (Little Bear) and she’s too adorable.

At any rate, it’s late. I’m tired and still trying to get caught up on my sleep.

Until Next Time!

Stay Awesome!

Hey Crew,

Sorry, one more short post. I’ll be back on my game tomorrow. I needed a couple naps today just to get through it. Rough day. I’m wiped. At least the headache is gone which nagged me most of yesterday and all day today. A good night’s sleep and I’ll be back on it.

I did manage 1000 words writing through this headache. Was painful, but I did it. Need to get up to speed for NaNoWriMo. I’d like to complete VA3 during November. We shall see what happens. For me, that’d be around 80,000 words left to go (between 90,000 and 100,000 is what I’m shooting for in this book).

I am at an exciting scene where I’m filling in many of the questions raised in Almost-Super Heroes 2. So it’s fun to see how these titles fit together. All the pieces are starting to come together in the bigger picture I’m building. One of these days My Favorite Daughter will have time for her old man and we’ll sit down and knock out some book covers so I can start dropping books 🙂

I’m off to bed.

Until Next Time!

Stay Awesome!

Hey Crew,

Very short post tonight. I’m wiped out from the drive back and have a bit of a stomach bug that wiped me out even more than the drive did. And no, not from the drinking we did :). I’m pretty sure I know what it was that I ate that got me and I’ll be avoiding that particular food from now on.

Even with a throbbing headache, I did get some words down. I’ll count that as a win given how many times I’ve been up and down today.

Tomorrow is another day. I’ll give you more insight into our little jaunt to Vegas.

Until Next Time!

Stay Awesome!

Hey Crew.

Relaxing day by the pool. Made.lunch in the room before checking out what we are doing tonight.

Write 500 words in the middle if pool time and eating.

There were thoughts of going to Freemont Street for the Walking Dead attraction, but reviews aren’t great and we aren’t huge Walking Dead fans, so that got ruled out. Then we thought of doing the zipline at the Rio. Oh my is that high. So that was out. There is a new zipline that goes from Ceasars Palace to the Linq. But it isnt open yet.

So many options, so we are about to head out and play it by ear. It’s Vegas. We are certain to find something to do.

Speaking of doing…

Until Next Time!

Stay Awesome!

Hey Crew,

Whew. Long first day in Vegas. We had breakfast, beer, caught an Uber to the Strip. Had lunch at Margaritaville’s. More drinks. Lots of walking. Went to the Belagio. More drinks. Ice Cream. Went to the Shake Shack for shakes. Had another beer. Went to New York New York where were checked out the Piano Bar and the pianos weren’t playing yet. We decided to come back to the room and nap, then go back.

We all fell asleep from much eating and drinking. I think I had a 3 hour nap. By the time we were all awake, thought sof going to the piano bar were out the door and we decided not to eat or drink any more and played cards in the room instead 🙂

I still for around 500 words written this morning while others were getting ready.

Still a great day and another great day will happen tomorrow.

Until Next Time!

Stay Awesome!

Hey Crew,

First day in Vegas was…a recovery day. We didn’t leave Dan Diego until a little after 9pm which is why I took it easy yesterday and had a good nap. Still, it was a very long, hard drive. Not so much with traffic, but with a car full of sleeping passengers. We got in around 2am.

And crashed as soon as we got into the room.

We have had a timeshare for a long time and really enjoy the benefits. The resort we stay at has penthouse suites but we’ve never stayed in one. During our last owner meeting, it was, finally, explained to us how to make better use of our points.

The Mrs. Took that to heart and found us the penthouse for very few points and here we are. Holy cow are the rooms huge! And we’ve got a hot tub on the balcony.

After our first nap and breakfast, we got into the hot tub and relaxed. Came back inside, ordered room service cuz we were too tired to go to the store to stock up, took another nap, and finally got up to go shopping so we dint have to eat every meal out.

Tonight is more relaxing and tomorrow we will actually get out if the room to do something. No big plans yet. We like to play things by ear. It’s a short trip, so nothing major on the horizon.

I did, between naps and eating, write 1000 words and I’m about to write a few more since it is still relaxation time.

For now, here are a couple pictures of our room/suite.

Until Next Time!

Stay Awesome!

Hey Crew,

Early post today. I’m about to finish packing and take a quick nap before we head off to Vegas. I had taken the day off to do some cleaning around the house and make sure all the laundry was finished. As soon as the Mrs. and My Favorite Daughter get home, they’ll do their packing, we’ll pick up My Favorite Daughter’s boyfriend and off we go.

I did manage to sit down today and knock out 800 words. I’ll be taking my writing computer with me and trying to write a little every day while we’re in Vegas. There’s always a little downtime here or there I can take advantage of. I will report how progressing is going as I’ll keep up the daily blog posts. I will probably post from my phone so you may end up getting a picture or two out of the deal.

For now, I’m going to vacuum and hit the sack for an hour before the five-hour drive.

Until Next Time!

Stay Awesome!

Hey Crew,

Another happy Tuesday. They’re all happy, aren’t they? Maybe. Who knows 🙂

All in all, it was a good day. Did the day jobbery after not having to wake up early. Got my lottery tickets (I think I lost, I’ll need to check and see if I’m suddenly a Billionaire). Dinner, dishes. The Mrs. worked late tonight. My Favorite Daughter rearranged the living room to make room for a kennel for her new puppy (I will post pictures I’m sure). Practiced bass for a little bit. Made dinner for the Mrs.

I was going to practice bass for a little longer. Half-an-hour just didn’t feel like enough time. I’d say there’s always tomorrow, but we’ll be packing up and heading to Vegas tomorrow.

I do have the day off and we’re not leaving until later in the evening. I’ve got my day planned and it does involve writing words while packing, cleaning, and laundrying.

Today I got around 1700 words written. Finished off the first B.T. Justice chapter. He’s a little more subdued, but a year in prison will do that to a person. :). I’m sure we’ll see Buford’s arrogant side soon. Very soon. Now that he realized his position among the other prisoners, things will start to change quickly for him. And, oh yeah, it’ll be a hoot.

We’ll be in Vegas for a few days. I’m taking my NetBook with me so hopefully, I can get a little writing time in between hangovers. It’ll be nice to get away again.  I’ve never tried writing while on vacation or while in Vegas. So this will be interesting.

For now, I’m off to bed to get a good night’s sleep. Long day tomorrow that I plan to break up with a nap in the middle of the day so I’ll be good and awake when we drive. I’m sure the others will be conked out all the way. I’ve got my headphones charged up so I can listen to music without disturbing the sleepyheads. The first hour of a five-hour trip is always exciting, but the miles wear on anyone.

Since I need to be rested so I can stay away, I’d better get to sleeping.

Until Next Time!

Stay Awesome!

Hey Crew,

Longer day today than expected. That happens from time to time.

Did the normal day jobbery. Took My Favorite Daughter to the post office to mail some packages. Went to the hardware store to get some parts. Went to the pet store so My Favorite Daughter could get some things to prepare for her new puppy. Came back home for 2 minutes to drop stuff off and went down to visit the new puppy. She’ll be coming home with us next week.

Before getting home, met the Mrs. at the grocery store. She needed some help getting heavier items she needs for work tomorrow.

Finally made it back home. Dinner, dishes, dead tired. I’m doing this post before I write tonight. Not sure how many words I’ll knock out, but I’ll do as many as I can before my eyes drop down on me. We’ll see how it goes.

Until Next Time!

Stay Awesome!

Hey Crew,

Wow, what a Sunday.

I think I’ve hit a stride with V&A3. Knocked out nearly 3000 words in an hour and a half stretch. Things are really rolling along. I’ll need to cycle back through what I wrote because I know I left some things out. There’s some description I’ll need to fill in where I introduce a new character. That will be fun.

I’m about to write a B.T. Justice chapter. That will be a hoot since he’s in the hoosegow with some folks he’s locked up personally. B.T. isn’t without his own defenses and strategies. That will be a great chapter to write.

One of the things in my brain that I hadn’t plotted or planned and knew it would show up and shape the story when the time was right; what is the crew delivering and where and why. That popped in and good golly ms. Molly. This is going to be quite a ride. With the new character that’s coming in, the excitement of their delivery and where they need to pick it up from. I have no idea where this one came from but I am even more excited to write this book and see where it goes from here.

The book will likely be a two-parter. First part will be…aw, I can’t tell you that. I’d give away the plot of book3. <evil grin>

We did some shopping we needed to do and headed to my father-in-law’s for our Sunday visit. My sister-in-law made vegan pozole. We all watched some football. My youngest Niece and Nephew were there.

Didn’t stay too late. Was home early. Had some dinner. Watched an episode of M*A*SH. Then I picked up the bass thinking I’d practice for a little bit and perhaps knock out another thousand words.

Had too much fun playing and lost track of time. It’s interesting for me to notice how I’m hitting the right notes when I play along with the songs and where I’m missing of really need to practice a part that I’m a little rough on.

I’m not sure if I explained this before, so why not do it again (skip this chapter if you’re not interested).

There’s an application called RockSmith. One for guitar, one for bass. Obviously, I’m playing along with the bass. There are lots of youtube videos out there and pretty much any song I want to play, I can find. So I’ll fire up youtube and I’ve built a few playlists and I’ll start playing along with the song. RockSmith is a lot like GuitarHero where the notes are flying from the distance toward you so you can see what’s coming up in the song. It’s in tablature as I can’t read music (yet) and right now I’m just trying to get my fingers limber, learn a few songs, and sometime later this year (probably my Christmas Present to myself) I’m going to get a subscription to Scott’s Bass Lessons and actually learn to read music, scales, walking bass lines, all that jazz. Scott has a few lessons on youtube, but there’s so much more I’ll be able to learn from a subscription to his site.

Speaking of learning, I’m also going to be picking up a few lessons from Dead Wesley Smith after their last Kickstarter. I need to get an email off and say ‘hey, how do we do this?’ That will likely be tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow, it’s going to get here sooner than I thought. It’s time to hit the hay.

Until Next Time!

Stay Awesome!