K.T. Pinto's Blog, page 58
October 9, 2013
Random wonderings...
None of this is said sarcastically. These are random thoughts while procrastinating (well, not really, was working on my site) on finishing Sto's House:
I find the words "homosexual" and "heterosexual" to be incorrect terminologies for this day and age. Following the etymology as it should be used, wouldn't the term "monosexual" be a better term that covers both? By using that term, it brings straight, gay and lesbian under one word. It also makes more sense using that term along with bisexual, polysexual (meaning more than one, but not necessary all genders) and pansexual (meaning any and all).
Following the randomness of thought... wouldn't that also make asexual and incorrect term? Wouldn't that mean not attracted to any gender (which, if you're not, it's correct for you!), but if you are meaning that you don't identify as any gender, wouldn't you be agendered? The way that transgendered means (I think) that you aren't identified completely as either gender (so the etymology says).
Of course, then this rambling thought makes me wonder how the term "transsexual" fits in, because it doesn't fit in with the etymological structure of homosexual, etc. and seems to fit definition-wise with transgendered...
And I have NO idea where 'queer' fits in, because etymologically, it means odd, oblique or strange...
I find the words "homosexual" and "heterosexual" to be incorrect terminologies for this day and age. Following the etymology as it should be used, wouldn't the term "monosexual" be a better term that covers both? By using that term, it brings straight, gay and lesbian under one word. It also makes more sense using that term along with bisexual, polysexual (meaning more than one, but not necessary all genders) and pansexual (meaning any and all).
Following the randomness of thought... wouldn't that also make asexual and incorrect term? Wouldn't that mean not attracted to any gender (which, if you're not, it's correct for you!), but if you are meaning that you don't identify as any gender, wouldn't you be agendered? The way that transgendered means (I think) that you aren't identified completely as either gender (so the etymology says).
Of course, then this rambling thought makes me wonder how the term "transsexual" fits in, because it doesn't fit in with the etymological structure of homosexual, etc. and seems to fit definition-wise with transgendered...
And I have NO idea where 'queer' fits in, because etymologically, it means odd, oblique or strange...
August 6, 2013
I love a man in uniform...
...especially when he looks like Vin Diesel.
I was on the subway on Sunday when a policeman walked in.
Although 'walk' is the wrong word. Strode, maybe?
He was 6'+, and I couldn't tell if he was Italian, Middle Eastern, Israeli... can you use the word 'exotic' for a guy? He had olive skin, but light hazel eyes...
He was broad shouldered, V-shaped, strong legs, wearing a full belt (with the S&W revolver), black BDUs, and the uniform shirt. He was shaved bald (and I think he does it with a big sharp knife) and he had tribal tats going down his arm. At one point I think cops weren't allowed to have tats, but - compared to the fresh-faced youngins that mostly patrol Staten Island - those tats add a touch of scary to the whole sexy package. I think all police officers should have them!
And the best part: he scared the crap out of everyone who got on the train.
The timid Norwegian (or any of those blonde countries) family couldn't even look in his direction. A young yuppie couple almost jumped off of the train when they saw him. A small twitch of his features showed that he enjoyed their fear.
Sadly, he was only on the subway for a few stops. But since I ride that particular subway often, there is a slim possibility I may see him again...
I was on the subway on Sunday when a policeman walked in.
Although 'walk' is the wrong word. Strode, maybe?
He was 6'+, and I couldn't tell if he was Italian, Middle Eastern, Israeli... can you use the word 'exotic' for a guy? He had olive skin, but light hazel eyes...
He was broad shouldered, V-shaped, strong legs, wearing a full belt (with the S&W revolver), black BDUs, and the uniform shirt. He was shaved bald (and I think he does it with a big sharp knife) and he had tribal tats going down his arm. At one point I think cops weren't allowed to have tats, but - compared to the fresh-faced youngins that mostly patrol Staten Island - those tats add a touch of scary to the whole sexy package. I think all police officers should have them!
And the best part: he scared the crap out of everyone who got on the train.
The timid Norwegian (or any of those blonde countries) family couldn't even look in his direction. A young yuppie couple almost jumped off of the train when they saw him. A small twitch of his features showed that he enjoyed their fear.
Sadly, he was only on the subway for a few stops. But since I ride that particular subway often, there is a slim possibility I may see him again...
May 22, 2013
WHY I'M NOT GOING TO BALTICON:
Yeah, I can't even say 'As much as I wanted to go to Balticon...' because, in all honesty, I hadn't really wanted to go in the first place. But, I had originally had the following reasons to go "all the way" to Baltimore:
1) Sto's House #3 was to premier that weekend.
2) I was to have a workshop all my very own.
3) I was going to be on panels!
4) I was going to hang out with friends!
5) I was going to share an inexpensive hotel room!
6) Someone else was going to drive and I'd be able to drink myself silly!
7) Was going to have a couple of opportunities to do readings.
And the reasons why I'm not going to Balticon:
1) Sto's House #3 is not coming out at Balticon because - you ready for this? - the artist decided to ignore the deadline for the cover! It doesn't matter that I had the manuscript to the editor back in December (way before it was due) or that my fabulous editor Jess (who should be hired by every small press on the planet!) sent the edited manuscript to the company in February, where the typesetting process was quickly completed by Danielle... and then it was sent to the artist, who never contacted me, never read my work, and as far as I know has no concept of the story. He is now a month-plus past deadline and still NOTHING. It's so sad because Neal, the owner of Dark Quest Books, is such a good natured, easy going guy who just wants the job done, and sadly sometimes take advantage of that and then I have to hunt them down and kill them...
2) I gave the programming person all the information about my original workshop on character creation. She took all the information and created the workshop... and gave it to someone else. No lie. There it is, in the programming list, the exact workshop I created, with someone else running it! Yes, that made me feel good all over... not.
3) Yeah, still don't have my confirmed panel schedule.
4) Yeah, that. Well... normally I don't like being alone at cons, but it happens often and I deal with it. I'm just... I dunno... tired of it and don't want to drive all the way to Baltimore to be reminded that I'm a loner at cons. I think it has less to do with the people I interact with and more with the "feel" of the con. At conventions like Ravencon (I know, I owe them a review), Mysticon, etc. make you feel welcome and like they WANT you there! Balticon, to me, makes one feel like an inconvenience and afterthought. It just makes me not want to go...
Besides, most of the people I really, really want to see, I will see at Philcon (another con that makes you feel welcome, by the way).
5&6) See the response to number 4.
7) Because of a screw up with programming, the Broad Universe ladies had one of the reading events cut, meaning that we all have to group together in one session. Ten of us. As much as I love these ladies (and I do!) driving down to MD for a four minute reading... and at the Dark Quest event, well, not only do I have no new novel out (see #1) to read from, but there are going to be TWENTY-ONE other authors there. Exactly how many minutes do you think each of us will get at a two hour launch party, if at all?
So anyway... stay home and work at a really fun job (oh, if I went, I'd miss out on at least a day's pay) or drive down to MD, alone... stay in a room, alone... not drink like I wanted... eat dinner, alone... not have a workshop... have no idea what my schedule is... and get a whopping six minutes of public reading over a course of four days.
Decisions, decisions...
1) Sto's House #3 was to premier that weekend.
2) I was to have a workshop all my very own.
3) I was going to be on panels!
4) I was going to hang out with friends!
5) I was going to share an inexpensive hotel room!
6) Someone else was going to drive and I'd be able to drink myself silly!
7) Was going to have a couple of opportunities to do readings.
And the reasons why I'm not going to Balticon:
1) Sto's House #3 is not coming out at Balticon because - you ready for this? - the artist decided to ignore the deadline for the cover! It doesn't matter that I had the manuscript to the editor back in December (way before it was due) or that my fabulous editor Jess (who should be hired by every small press on the planet!) sent the edited manuscript to the company in February, where the typesetting process was quickly completed by Danielle... and then it was sent to the artist, who never contacted me, never read my work, and as far as I know has no concept of the story. He is now a month-plus past deadline and still NOTHING. It's so sad because Neal, the owner of Dark Quest Books, is such a good natured, easy going guy who just wants the job done, and sadly sometimes take advantage of that and then I have to hunt them down and kill them...
2) I gave the programming person all the information about my original workshop on character creation. She took all the information and created the workshop... and gave it to someone else. No lie. There it is, in the programming list, the exact workshop I created, with someone else running it! Yes, that made me feel good all over... not.
3) Yeah, still don't have my confirmed panel schedule.
4) Yeah, that. Well... normally I don't like being alone at cons, but it happens often and I deal with it. I'm just... I dunno... tired of it and don't want to drive all the way to Baltimore to be reminded that I'm a loner at cons. I think it has less to do with the people I interact with and more with the "feel" of the con. At conventions like Ravencon (I know, I owe them a review), Mysticon, etc. make you feel welcome and like they WANT you there! Balticon, to me, makes one feel like an inconvenience and afterthought. It just makes me not want to go...
Besides, most of the people I really, really want to see, I will see at Philcon (another con that makes you feel welcome, by the way).
5&6) See the response to number 4.
7) Because of a screw up with programming, the Broad Universe ladies had one of the reading events cut, meaning that we all have to group together in one session. Ten of us. As much as I love these ladies (and I do!) driving down to MD for a four minute reading... and at the Dark Quest event, well, not only do I have no new novel out (see #1) to read from, but there are going to be TWENTY-ONE other authors there. Exactly how many minutes do you think each of us will get at a two hour launch party, if at all?
So anyway... stay home and work at a really fun job (oh, if I went, I'd miss out on at least a day's pay) or drive down to MD, alone... stay in a room, alone... not drink like I wanted... eat dinner, alone... not have a workshop... have no idea what my schedule is... and get a whopping six minutes of public reading over a course of four days.
Decisions, decisions...
April 25, 2013
Second thoughts...
Sometimes I wonder why I continue writing...
New publishers seem to be popping up like weeds; existing ones seem to either be publishing everyone in sight (instead of having an exclusive stable with a couple of new people a year) or are having economic issues which is stalling publication. Every person I meet on the con circuit seems to be published, self-published, or getting published.
And then there's the money one has to shell out for promotions and appearances...
It just seems like the publishing world is over-saturated during an economic recession that can't sustain it and in a world that isn't reading-centric.
I write because I believe I have stories people want to read. But being published seems akin to yelling in the middle of Times Square on New Year's Eve: who's actually going to hear me?
New publishers seem to be popping up like weeds; existing ones seem to either be publishing everyone in sight (instead of having an exclusive stable with a couple of new people a year) or are having economic issues which is stalling publication. Every person I meet on the con circuit seems to be published, self-published, or getting published.
And then there's the money one has to shell out for promotions and appearances...
It just seems like the publishing world is over-saturated during an economic recession that can't sustain it and in a world that isn't reading-centric.
I write because I believe I have stories people want to read. But being published seems akin to yelling in the middle of Times Square on New Year's Eve: who's actually going to hear me?
April 15, 2013
Mysticon Review
I have been a little behind in reviewing the most recent conventions I have been to: Mysticon, Lunacon, and Ravencon. I figured the best way to do that is with PICTURES! So the next few posts may take a little while to upload...
MYSTICON
This is an awesome con in Roanoke Va that has a great adult program as well as an impressive literary track. On top of all this, the con was nice enough to give me a minion for the weekend...
Me an my minion Kevin
Me on the Iron Author Game table with Emmy Jackson, Danielle Ackley-Mcphail, Keith DeCandido, and Jason Cordova.
Me with Vampire Santa
Me right before my reading. You can see my reading on YouTube
Next up: Lunacon!
MYSTICON
This is an awesome con in Roanoke Va that has a great adult program as well as an impressive literary track. On top of all this, the con was nice enough to give me a minion for the weekend...
Me an my minion Kevin
Me on the Iron Author Game table with Emmy Jackson, Danielle Ackley-Mcphail, Keith DeCandido, and Jason Cordova.
Me with Vampire Santa
Me right before my reading. You can see my reading on YouTube
Next up: Lunacon!
April 4, 2013
Ravencon Schedule
Ravencon is this weekend! And I will be busy as usual (on no sleep! Go me!)
Here is my schedule... it's the abridged version; day and time in military.
F19 Opening Ceremonies
F23 Lifestyle 101
F22 BOARDROOM
FM Argon
SA9 PICTIONARY
SA17 Writing Clothes
SA19 Internet Tools
SA22 Villain
SA23 Lifestyle 201, Assist
SU12 SIGNING
SU13 Historical Fantasy
Here is my schedule... it's the abridged version; day and time in military.
F19 Opening Ceremonies
F23 Lifestyle 101
F22 BOARDROOM
FM Argon
SA9 PICTIONARY
SA17 Writing Clothes
SA19 Internet Tools
SA22 Villain
SA23 Lifestyle 201, Assist
SU12 SIGNING
SU13 Historical Fantasy
March 20, 2013
March 12, 2013
The subtlety of my family:
Maudy: I got something for you.
Me: Yeah?
Maudy: I put it by the stairs.
Me (looking by the stairs): You got me a box of brownie mix?
Maudy (nodding): There was no cake on sale.
Me: Okay...
Maudy: And we have nothing to go with coffee this afternoon...
Me (taking the box to go make brownies): Subtle as a sledgehammer to the head...
Me: Yeah?
Maudy: I put it by the stairs.
Me (looking by the stairs): You got me a box of brownie mix?
Maudy (nodding): There was no cake on sale.
Me: Okay...
Maudy: And we have nothing to go with coffee this afternoon...
Me (taking the box to go make brownies): Subtle as a sledgehammer to the head...
If Dawg could talk...
...this would have been the conversation this morning:
Me: Good morning, pup! You going to function this morning?
Dawg (opening one bloodshot eye): Does it look like it?
Me: Do you have your ass in the bookshelf?
Dawg (closing his eye): I'm not listening to you.
Me: How can you sleep like that? You look ridiculous.
Dawg (opening both eyes and looking at my forehead): At least I'm not walking around with a wet shower cap on my head.
Me (reaching up and touching said cap): D'oh!
Dawg (pushing his butt deeper into the bottom shelf and closing his eyes): Silly humans...
Me: Good morning, pup! You going to function this morning?
Dawg (opening one bloodshot eye): Does it look like it?
Me: Do you have your ass in the bookshelf?
Dawg (closing his eye): I'm not listening to you.
Me: How can you sleep like that? You look ridiculous.
Dawg (opening both eyes and looking at my forehead): At least I'm not walking around with a wet shower cap on my head.
Me (reaching up and touching said cap): D'oh!
Dawg (pushing his butt deeper into the bottom shelf and closing his eyes): Silly humans...
March 7, 2013
Wow... that long?
Sorry out there! I've been writing on my blog Wench with Wrench and didn't realize I hadn't posted HERE in a couple of weeks...
I promise to fix that in the future. :)
I promise to fix that in the future. :)
