Tuesday, June 18, 2013

I Proclaim This The Summer of George


Welp. Here we are. Having a summah.

Things have been a bit tumultuous around ol' Callaway Acres in the first half of this year, my loves. The last relationship I was in went kerflooey almost immediately. The novel I was telling you guys about last time got its first rejection already. And my day-job was really sucking what was left of my soul right out of me up until I got laid off last week. I tell ya, it'd be enough to drive a man to drink. Fortunately, I'm not much of a man.

But if you've been paying any kind of attention, you'll notice that, despite the general expression of disdain that's kept plastered to my face, I've been a lot better about looking at the bright side a bit more. Sure, heartbreak ain't no fun no matter how many times you've been through it, but this time, I went ahead and put myself on the DL and have spent the last six months or so fully single, which has helped immeasurably in getting my head straight. Was a time where I was a serial dater (read: slut), who would seek to drown my sorrows in relationships. This time out, I decided to get on the wagon, and the good news is I think I'm about ready to take some baby-steps back out into the wild world o' women. So far, my luck has been holding strong on the not-quite side, but I am a lot more well-equipped to take it in stride than I've ever been. So gold star for me.

The novel thing was a real drag, but I really shoulda been better prepared for it. But even though that initial rejection was a real shock to my system, I got by with the help of my friends, specifically my writing cadre buddies Cameron Ashley, Keith Rawson, Johnny Shaw, and Matt Funk. I am convinced that I'm a good writer, but times like these can be trying on anyone's confidence. So it's good to know I've got me a support system, a net under this crazy trapeze. It wasn't long before I bounced back, ready again to tackle this crazy world o' publishing and make it do things that will make it ashamed of itself. So thanks, boys, and thanks to everybody out there who has read and liked and supported me and my stuff down through the years.

And job, schmob. The joint I was working at as a social media operative was my first foray into an office environment, and now I can say with the utmost certainty that it's just not my place in the 9-to-5 world. I had worked naught but shit jobs my whole career because even though the pay sucked, the responsibilities were minimal, freeing me up to pursue my writing. The trade-off of a big, fat paycheck (which I will miss) is great at first, allows you to get your feet under you. But as time wore on, the job became much more than the 8 hours a day it started out as, and my writing got backburnered more and more. I mean, you guys, I haven't finished reading a book in a month. A month! So needless to say, things are gonna be lean once again, but man, I almost don't know what to do with myself with all this time.

Well, actually, one thing I'm gonna do is help take this show on the road. The band I'm in, The Stalins of Sound, are hitting the road tomorrow and heading up the coast, 6 shows in 5 days, on the aptly-titled Summer of George tour. So if you're in San Francisco, Sacramento, Tacoma, Seattle, Portland, and/or Oakland, I expect to see your shining faces amongst the adoring crowds that flock to each and every one of our shows*.


Not listed on the flier above here is the Tacoma show, which is at at house party somewhere with the Monarchies around 6 pm. If you're in that lovely, pungent town, find some of the cool kids hanging out on the corner and ask them where the action is.

Other than that, things have been kinda slow as far as output goes. My upcoming short story in Needle will be out soon, and I'll be sure to let youse know about that. I've taken to Twitter like a duck to some sort of liquid lately, writing a buncha jokes(?), so if you don't follow me there yet, my handle is @Jimmytheworm. Give it a go. And also my friend and roommate April Ventura has a one-woman show coming up for the San Diego Fringe Festival, down in the bad part of town during 4th of July weekend. I helped edit and write it a bit (though she really did all the heavy lifting), so come check it out if you're of a mind, and get your tickets here.

Well, babies, that's about it. I'll try not to let so much time pass between bloggies here, as I know how much you anticipate them. And now I'm going to go read comics and watch movies. I love you all*.

jtw


*void where false