Brent Thomas's Blog, page 4

Helgmar

Helgmar was known for his skill with axe and spear. The lore of his battlefield prowess meant that he could end more private disputes with but a glare of his smoke-colored eyes. He was blunt and honest in a way that earned him an equal amount of friends and enemies. He was glad for both, … More Helgmar

Weight Loss

Some folk might have noticed that my writing output slowed down and then basically stopped. Some of that has to deal with issues I’ve discussed before. but it also has so so with the limited time I have after working and parenting. Since basically elementary school I’ve been a big guy. Too big. There are … More Weight Loss

4 Days in a Row and Counting

You might have noticed that something is happening here. After 18+ months of irregular content this is the fourth day in a row of posts. Yep. I’m trying to get back in to the routine of posting something daily. It figure that, just like my life, it’ll run the gamut of my interests. There will … More 4 Days in a Row and Counting

New Year’s Dad

Tomorrow I get to take a little bit of a rest. I’ll likely read a book, play some music, maybe even turn on a video game. If my head space clears, I’ll even do some writing. My teaching job doesn’t start up again for another week and to tell the truth in a little worn … More New Year’s Dad

Ozoni

It’s the second day of the new year. We are all currently enjoying full bellies from one the traditional New Year’s meals here in Japan, a soup called ozoni. There are a few ways of making ozoni. The base is a clear soup made with fish stock and soy sauce, but also seasoned with yuzu, … More Ozoni

2022: Progress

There was a long period where I did not enjoy New Years. Sure, I enjoyed the parties and excuses to have revelries with friends, but the actual event of one year changing into the next hit me with a sadness. Try as I might, I would dwell on things done poorly, words said that couldn’t … More 2022: Progress

A Lack of Nuance

I haven’t lived in the USA since 2004. Still, I’ve tried to keep up with what is happening culturally and politically. The have been amazing improvements, and just heartbreaking setbacks. But it can sometimes be hard to judge what the reality is. Part of that is because of the international filter. More than just the … More A Lack of Nuance

Songster Tales: The Anniversary

The sun had not yet risen and Lucas’s eyes fluttered open all on their own. He had stayed up late the evening before, wanting to sleep through as much of this day as possible and escape from what it brought. That had been a failure. He had failed so much before, why should this be … More Songster Tales: The Anniversary

Fathers are Parents Too

Recently I’ve heard a decent amount of chatter in the US news about parental leave, and I have to say the more I hear, the more concerns I have about how the issue is being discussed. It might be worth mentioning, for anyone new to this site, that while I am from the USA, I’ve … More Fathers are Parents Too

Telling My Truth

This is probably a bad idea. There are few rules to gaining and keeping an audience, but one of those is not to go on and on about personal problems. Of course, the other rule is to not go almost two years with no real content, and I’ve blown that one so let’s give honesty … More Telling My Truth