The coming new year always reminds me just a little about how short a human life span really is. We all struggle to accomplish what we might: write a book, a script, save a life, bring a life into this world. There is so much that we could accomplish if we just had a bit more time. As it is I always try to accomplish all that I can. I was talking to Samantha early today about learning a new language. Latin, or German maybe, something fun. We’re tossing around a few ideas.

The writing has progressed well this year. I edited four drafts of The Forest Awakens, finished 20% of my new book, and with the new year I’ll have released over 30,000 words in four complete podcast stories (a total I plan to significantly beat in 2010). I even attended my first writing conference. So writing has been going well, it’s still a lot of fun. I could do more, of course I could, but I’m happy with what I’ve done.

It was a sad year with the animals. We lost two of them, both cats. Apricot was an old mother, she had a good life of 16 years. But Mop was too young, she was Apricot’s daughter. She was the runt of the litter and was born very weak. I always feared something like it happening. They will both always live in our hearts.

Whether it is a good memory or bad, I always find myself back at the thought that we are all just students of this world. Students without enough time to learn everything. We should all be trying to learn everything we can. I hope that you had a good year, and wish you an even better on in 2010! Try to learn something new that interests you.

This week is officially the last week of holiday break. Tuesday Night Stories will be back in action next Tuesday night. There will even be a bonus treat because of the wait. Be sure to check back!

In Texas, at least in this part of Texas, we don’t get many instances of a white Christmas. This year was one of those years! It snowed most of the day yesterday. For a good eight hours or more!

It would have been even better if the weather was just a bit colder. It took a few hours before it even started building up on the grass, much less the sidewalks and roads. By the end though, the weather had won. Last night you couldn’t see the grass on any of the houses on our street. It was a winter wonderland, and it was fantastic.

The downside was that we didn’t get to go to my sisters this morning for presents and holiday fun. The roads just weren’t up to it, or we weren’t up for the roads at least. We’ll still get to see her at my aunt’s house here in a bit, then it’s off to Dallas for Christmas with Samantha’s grandparents. Busy days! Here’s a pretty funny version of a TX family Christmas.

I’m not sure why everyone gets so worked up over Christmas. I realize I’m more laid back in general, but is it really that big of deal? See some family, give and receive some presents. Do you know anybody that would really care if their present was a little bit late even? What’s the rush?

Not everyone is like me! The streets are insane and parking lots are fearsome. “Tis the season” though it may be, to me it often seems the opposite of what it should be… Everybody needs to just slow down a bit I think.

Are you guys finding the same thing around you? Oy, it makes me want to stay home. Today there were cops in the parking lot where I was because somebody left their kid in the car to “run in and get a present.” Seriously? But it’s okay, they left the windows cracked. Remember, ’tis the season!

I’m a big ‘ol dork if you guys haven’t noticed. But my nerdness is stretched to the extremes with the text-based RPG I run. Oh yes, I don’t just play it, I run it. The programming, the building, etc. It’s great fun, much more depth the a lot of other games even without graphics.

I’m definitely not the only dork in the barrel though. I have a few people that work with me on it. I’ve even corrupted Samantha to it. *gives an evil little laugh*

Well today we released David’s (who narrates my podcast stories) new MUD client that he wrote entirely in JAVA. It’s so incredibly cool! I had to brag it up, he’s gotta be the best programmer I know. He taught himself JAVA so he could make this thing. A very talented guy.

Part 4 of Deposed continues the meeting between King Ralon and Marcus Thaine. Marcus must decide if he will assist Ralon, and Ralon must figure out just how far he can trust the old man. Loyal or not, the man was once a mercenary and prices must be considered. Once again, my apologies about the silence last week. All is more at well with the world this week.

As always, I hope you enjoy the story.

This was my first experience with the ballet. I love classical music though, so I knew many of the songs that I would hear. Still, I wasn’t expecting what I saw.

First of all, I had forgotten there was no dialogue at the ballet. Not that I minded it, I found the whole thing very beautiful. Also, I know very little about dancing, but the grace of the dancers was truly a pleasure to watch. I was rather amazed by the things they could do!

My favorite was the series of dances at the start of the second act. Each of them was in the style of a different culture. The Arabian and Chinese dances were the best I thought. Samantha and I both liked the Arabian one the best of all I think. Overall it really was a magical show. It’s always a nice reminder how far back fantasy stories date. I always love the older tales.

Another surprise was the large vase of white roses sitting on the dining room table. My sister in Houston sent them to us. Her card said it was for our loss. It really was a very nice ending to such a sad week.

I’ve had this post in edit mode for the last few days. I just couldn’t find the strength to sit down and write it. On Monday my little kitty Mop died. She was young, too young for that to happen. And it happened so fast. I left to go decorate a Christmas tree with my sister and her kids, and I got home around 8:30 or 9. I could tell right away that there was something wrong, but she had a little sneeze and at first I thought it must be similar to a cold.

After a couple hours it got worse and worse. I held her in my arms most of the night and we all finally got to sleep around 5AM. My poor little Mop never woke back up. You will sorely be missed, little one. I’ve had dreams about her almost every night, all good, thankfully.

Mop was the first animal I’ve ever called my own. My family has had pets, friends, even my wife has had ones I at least partly considered mine. Mop was the daughter of our older cat Apricot, my wife got her while she was in high school. There were four little ones in that litter. Two girls and two boys. We gave away the boys and kept Hope and Mop.

We only intended to keep Hope, but Mop was the runt of the litter and her mother tried very hard to kill her off. Because of it, we hand fed Mop for the first few months of her life. There were some very close calls, but she always pulled through and survived. She was very weak as a baby. When it was time to actually give away Mop and the boys, Tigger and Jester, we just couldn’t do it. We had formed such a strong bond with her over months of nursing her to health. We decided to keep both girls. I’m so glad that we did.

I do apologize about the quiet blog. I guess I’ve been taking it pretty hard. I haven’t felt like writing at all. She was the most playful kitty I’ve ever seen. Every year I thought it would wear off as she grew, but it never did. Just a few days ago we were playing together. I haven’t quite come to accept that we won’t get to any more.

This is perhaps one of my favorite parts so far. The third part of Deposed is from a new perspective, and the character is what was so much fun to write. Marcus Thaine is a man who was quite powerful in his own right, back in his prime. Now he is retired from the life, so why did Ralon’s father tell him to visit the old man when he felt there was no where else to turn?

My apologies for the late post, I hope you enjoy the story!