S. Evan Townsend's Blog, page 56

We Love to Hate Oregon

Today the University of Washington Huskies play the University of Oregon Ducks. For many Husky fans, this rivalry is even more important than the cross-state rivalry between the Huskies and the Washington State University Cougars.

I talk about why, here. Let's just say that Huskies love to hate the Oregon Ducks.

Last year, after I wrote that post linked above, we destroyed Oregon 70-21 on their home turf. Think of that more as ten touchdowns to three touchdowns. Making ten touchdowns in one game is a amazing accomplishment for any team. It was a wonderful part of the Huskies'
Oregon Logowonderful 2016 season. Oregon fired their coach at the end of the season and brought in a new guy. Phil Knight (Nike founder and Oregon graduate) has said he'll pay up to $10 million per year for a coaching staff that can make Oregon great again.

Today's game is at Husky Stadium so we get to play at home. Oregon, rebuilding after what was an awful year for them last year, is 5-4 overall, 2-4 in conference so far on the season while the Huskies are 7-1 overall, 4-1 in conference. This should be a fairly easy win for the Huskies (of course, I thought that about Arizona State).

The game is at 7:00 PM PDT on FS1. It'll be interesting to see what awful uniform the Ducks are going to wear.

The Speculative Fiction Cantina with Parker J Cole and K. T. Conte

Today on the Speculative Fiction Cantina we are pleased to welcome writers Parker J Cole and K. T. Conte.
Parker J ColeParker J Cole and also writing as Parker Payne

Parker J. Cole is an author, speaker, radio host and executive of PJC Media with an obsession for the Lord, Star Trek, K-dramas, anime, romance books, old movies, speculative fiction, and knitting. A former Mountain Dew and marshmallow addict, she writes to fill the void the sugar left behind. Find out any and everything about her at parkerjcole.com. Or just ask.

Parker's Works:

Druid’s Spear (writing as Parker Payne)

The Cure 

"Godforsaken" (short story)

Parker's Links:

Website
Blog
Twitter
BlogTalkRadio


K. T. ConteK. T. Conte

K.T. Conte is a lover of books, people and all things wild and crazy. She received her B.A. in English from Boston College and her law degree from Suffolk University Law School. While she has and continues to be a licensed attorney, her first love has always been books from the tender age of 2. Originally from Massachusetts, K.T. currently lives in New York City with the monsters in the closet, her husband Everett, a couple of building fairies and her dog, Champ.

K.T.'s Book:

Awoke: The Want Series

K.T.'s Links:

Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter

From Today's Program: An Inflatable Habitat Orbiting the Moon.

Listen to today's program at 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT, or in archive here.

Two More Pet Peeves

Wow, November already. Christmas will be here soon.

Back to the 30-day blogging challenge. Today's prompt: "Your Top Five Pet Peeves."

Well, I did three here. So I guess I only need two more.

Number Four: People who post stupid stuff on Facebook that if they took a moment to think about it, they would know it's not accurate. For example, it seems every six months or so this thing goes around about posting something will protect your privacy on Facebook. Or something. I never read it.

This seems to have abated lately and instead there's tons of Fake News. Whenever I see something on FB that claims to be news, I check the source. If it isn't a source I trust (mostly major news organizations), I dismiss it. And it swings from far left to far right.

Number Five: I do a fair amount of book signings. And people will come up to you, pick up a book, and flip through nearly all the pages. I have no idea why. But I tell them, "Yes, there's print on every page." Because what else are they looking for? I know some folks are looking to see how big the font is, but you don't have to look at every damn page to do that.

Or kids with dirty hands will come up and I say, "Please don't touch the books" in an authoritative voice and...they touch the books.

So there's two more pet peeves in addition to the three I did earlier. What are your pet peeves?

Not Doing NaNoWriMo This Year.

This is the first day of NaNoWriMo.

Might as well get it out now: I'm not doing NaNoWriMo this year.

I've done it four years, won three of those years. The three novels I won with were the "Treasures of Space" novels ( Treasure of the Black Hole , Treasure of the Pirate Planet , and Treasure of the Rogue Moon). The novel I didn't win with was Book of Death , which I did eventually finish. What stopped me from winning was I realized I needed to do a lot of research on Romania (where most of the novel is set) and I didn't have time to do that and finish the novel by the end of November.

Last year I didn't do NaNoWriMo because I had nothing to write. I was trying to write a novel, had writer's Hoover Dam (not just a block, but Hoover Dam). This year I started a short story which is now around 25,000 words. I'm not going to stop writing it to do a NaNo novel. And I don't think I'll get 50,000 more words out of it (I'm hoping for 35,000 more).

So no NaNo for me. I'll just keep plugging away at my current work in progress. It's working title is Chumba of the Intelligence Corps: The Smugglers of Mars. It's a prequel to the "Treasures of Space" novels.

Huskies are 7-1 (and the Cougars aren't)

Yesterday the University of Washington Huskies played the UCLA Bruins at home. And they won quite handily by a score of 44-23. UCLA's score would have been less but once the Huskies got over 40 points, Chris Petersen, as he does, put in back up players. This allowed the Bruins to make a defensive touchdown and an offensive touchdown, adding 14 points to their score. I hope the voters for the AP poll realize this.

The Huskies did running plays most of the game. This frustrated me because I love watching Jake Browning throw the ball. But, apparently Petersen and his staff decided running was the best way to beat UCLA. A win is a win and I'll take it.

And the Huskies looked so much better than they did two weeks ago when they lost to Arizona State. Even the kicking game worked as the UW kicker was perfect in the game. The Huskies are 7-1 over all and 4-1 in conference.

Next week the Huskies play the Oregon Ducks at home. The Ducks are rebuilding after their awful year last year with a new coach. Still they are 5-4 overall and 2-4 in conference. So, if the Huskies play up to par, they should win this game.

Elsewhere in the Pac-12

As I said yesterday, The Washington State-Arizona game had implications for both the Pac-12 North and the Pac-12 South. Since Arizona won it 58-37, that puts the WSU Cougars 7-2 overall and 4-2 in conference. Unless Stanford and UW both screw up, that puts them out of the running for the Pac-12 North championship.

Stanford (6-2 overall, 5-1 in conference) and UW are still neck and neck for the Pac-12 North championship. They play November 10th (a Friday) and the winner of that game will likely be the Pac-12 North champion now that WSU is out of the running..

In the Pac-12 South, USC is still on top at 7-2 overall and 5-1 in conference. But Arizona is now nipping at their heels at 6-2 overall, 4-1 in conference (USC has yet to have a bye). These two teams play next week so the winner will likely be the Pac-12 South champion.

The Polls:

The first College Football Playoff (CFP) poll, which is chosen by committee, comes out Tuesday. The top four teams in that poll at the end of the season go to the playoffs. The AP poll came out Sunday morning (just a bit ago).

TCU (who got beat yesterday) dropped from #4 to #10 and now Wisconsin is #4. The CFP often closely mirrors the AP poll so Wisconsin may now be in the playoffs. But it's a long ways to January.

Another upset yesterday, #2 Penn State lost to #6 Ohio State. Now Penn State is #7 and probably out of the playoffs and Ohio State is #3 and has a good chance to be in the playoffs. But it's still a long ways to January.

UW stayed at #12 (needed to keep UCLA from scoring those last two touchdowns). Still the highest-ranked Pac-12 team for the second week in a row.

USC moved up to #17 from #21. Stanford moved from #20 to #18

Arizona entered the top 25 at #23.

And WSU is on the bubble at #25, falling from #15.

When the CFP comes out, I'll probably post that (on Wednesday).

Weekend College Football Preview

All twelve teams in the Pac-12 play this weekend (no one has a bye). Things might be a little clearer in the Pac-12 standings after this weekend.

Stanford (#20 in the AP poll) played Oregon State Thursday night (yeah, weird) but barely won 15-14. It looks like Stanford made 5 field goals and never got a touchdown (unless they missed a PAT or went for a two-point conversion and didn't get it). That brings the Cardinal (it's a color) to 6-2 overall and 5-1 in conference. Because Stanford had a bye last week, they have only played eight games so far. But that tight game with Oregon State (who have only won one game this season against Portland State, an FCS team) might knock them down in the polls come Sunday.

Washington (#12 in the AP poll) had a bye last week, too, so the Huskies will have only played eight games after this weekend. They face UCLA at home. UCLA is 2-2 in conference and 4-3 overall (meaning they lost one of their non-conference games). The Huskies (6-1 overall, 3-1 in conference), at home, should have no problem beating them. Of course, that's what I said about the Arizona State game two weeks ago.

Washington State (#15 in the AP poll) faces Arizona in a game that has implications in both the Pac-12 North and the Pac-12 South. If WSU wins, they will still be in the running for the Pac-12 North championship (along with UW and Stanford). If Arizona wins, they will still be in the running for the Pac-12 South championship. That game is a home game for Arizona, and they are tough to beat at home.

USC (#21 in the AP poll) lost to Notre Dame last week putting them at 6-2 overall (4-1 in conference). They are still on top of the Pac-12 South but Arizona (5-2 overall, 3-1 in conference) is not far behind depending on the outcome of their game with WSU. If Arizona loses, USC will probably win the Pac-12 South.

The one bad thing is about this week: UW finally has a game at a decent time today of 12:30 PM. But I'm in a meeting out of town until 2:15 PM. I'll DVR (I hope) the game and watch it when I get home. Have to avoid social media until I'm done watching the game. Go Dawgs!

The Speculative Fiction Cantina with Andi O’Connor and Joseph Ganci

Today on the Speculative Fiction Cantina we are pleased to welcome writers Andi O’Connor and Joseph Ganci.

Andi O'ConnerAndi O'Connor

Andi O'Connor is the award-winning author of three fantasy series. Her critically acclaimed novel, Silevethiel, is the 2015 Best Indie Book Award winner for Science Fiction/Fantasy, and the 2015 New Apple Official Selection for Young Adult. The Speaker is a Finalist in the 11th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards. You can frequently find Andi as a guest panelist and exhibitor at Comic Cons throughout the country. Visit her Website for more information.

Andi's Books:


Call To War: The Dragonath Chronicles, Book 3 

The Speaker: The Vaelinel Trilogy, Book 2

Awakening: The Dragonath Chronicles, Book 2

Andi's Links:

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Joseph Ganci

Joseph made his debut in Brooklyn. He is a firstborn and so, is dedicated to God by the laws of Israel. He is a Levite and a high priest but remains a passionate Italian. He is a Vietnam combat veteran and an Honor Society member. Joseph currently resides in Space City. He fathered five daughters, three of whom are still alive. The grist from this novel finds common ground through his endless rounds of scripture study and from the graciousness of an all-loving God. Lest we forget, a thousand years hence - the anthropologists will conclude that our society communed with an all-knowing Oracle named Google.

Joseph's Book:

Gideon: The Sound and The Glory

Joseph's Links:

Website
Facebook
Twitter

From today's program: "Startram" Could Revolutionize Space Travel.

Listen to today's program at 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT, or in archive here.

I Suck (at some things)

Back to the 30-day blogging challenge that I'm doing in approximately 30 weeks (depending on how many of the prompts I ignore).

Today's prompt is "Stuff you are not good at."

Well, I don't park cars very well. I tend to be crooked and off to one side (i.e., not in the middle of the space). When I was working and travelling to customer facilities, my boss would criticize my parking skills. At one customer's facility, they required you to back in to park (who knows why?). I was really bad at that. And this was long before there were backup cameras in cars.

I suck at driving the speed limit. I'm nearly always driving faster, even when the speed limit is 80 mph.

Judging from my book sales, I suck at book marketing.

I used to suck at sleeping late in the morning. I used to wake up at 5:00 AM every morning. But now that it's darker later in the morning, I sleep longer.

(I'm doing some self-censoring on this post, too.)

I'm a poor speller. I'm not very good at knowing where to put commas. I'm a horrible proofreader (I see the word that is supposed to be there, not the word that is there). And I typo a lot (not a good combination). I guess making typos is something I'm good at.

So what skills do you need to improve? Comment below.

Bye Weekend

The University of Washington Huskies has a bye this week (that means they didn't play). So their record remains 6-1 over all, 3-1 in conference. This, ironically after yesterday, puts them in third place in the Pac-12 North behind the Washington State Cougars (7-1 overall, 4-1 in conference) after they beat Colorado last night, and Stanford (5-2 overall, 4-1 in conference as they had a bye this week).

The Pac-12 North is going to be interesting with three teams (UW, WSU, and Stanford) all vying for the top slot.

Elsewhere in the conference, USC was demolished by Notre Dame in a non-conference game by a score of 49-14. Interesting to have a non-conference game this late in the season (Notre Dame is an independent). They are still on top of the Pac-12 South, though, with a 6-2 overall, 4-1 in conference record. But Arizona (!) is not far behind at 5-2 overall and 3-1 in conference. Arizona beat Cal in overtime yesterday.

Next week the Huskies take on UCLA  (4-3 overall, 2-2 in conference) at 12:30 at Husky Stadium. It's going to be on either ABC, ESPN, or ESPN2. Check your listings. I saw an interview with Husky coach Chris Petersen in the Seattle Times and he said having a bye week after last week's loss is both good and bad. You have more time to work on issues, but you have to go two weeks with that loss hanging over your head.

The Polls

Stanford, despite having a bye week, moved up two slots to #20. UW and WSU didn't move, still at #12 and #15 respectively. After getting beat by Notre Dame, USC fell to #21 from #11. Which makes the Huskies the highest ranked Pac-12 team right now, and USC the lowest.

The Speculative Fiction Cantina with Rebecca Gomez Farrell and Brian James

Today on the Speculative Fiction Cantina we are please to welcome writers Rebecca Gomez Farrell and Brian James.
Rebecca Gomez FarrellRebecca Gomez Farrell

Rebecca Gomez Farrell's debut epic fantasy novel, Wings Unseen, is available now from Meerkat Press. Her shorter speculative fiction can be read in Beneath Ceaseless Skies, the Future Fire, and Bull Spec among other magazines, and look for “Treasure,” in the Dark, Luminous Wings anthology in October. She blogs about food, drink, and travel at the Gourmez.com, and yes, she has opinions about the usefulness of truffle oil. Find all her creative works at her author website: RebeccaGomezFarrell.com.

Rebecca's Works:

Wings Unseen

"What Scattered in the Wind" (short story in an anthology)

"Garbage" (short story in an anthology)

Rebecca's Links:

Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Brian JamesBrian James

Brian James grew up just out of bullet range of Detroit. He was raised on the work of Douglas Adams and Snorri Sturluson. Eventually he went on to college where he majored in History. While he never realized his dream to become a heavier version of Indiana Jones, he did wind up writing for a number of magazines, newspapers, websites, and Fortune 500 companies. His new book, Mjolnir, brings the Norse gods into the modern world and follows their exploits as they speed towards Ragnarok.

Brian's Book:

Mjolnir

Brian's Links:

Facebook
Twitter
instagram

From Today's Program: Scientists working on ways to stop bacteria on space missions.

Listen to today's program at 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT, or in archive here.