S. Evan Townsend's Blog, page 70

I Deserve to Feel Good

Today at noon Pacific Standard Time, the #4 University of Washington Huskies play in their first ever playoff game*. They are playing the #1 team in the nation, Alabama, who are undefeated. The Huskies have a 12-1 record. The game will be on ESPN.

For other time zones that's 3:00 PM Eastern, 2:00 PM Central, 1:00 PM Mountain, and if you're in Alaska or Hawaii, check local listings.

And, to be honest, I'm am thoroughly enjoying myself. And I deserve to.

I have been a fan of the Huskies since I graduated from the University of Washington in 1994. But I didn't become a rabid, can't-miss-a-game fan of Husky football until later. I suspect it was 2006 when I went to a game in Husky Stadium against Arizona. I remember yelling with 50,000 other people for the Dawgs to win in overtime. And there's something about that experience that programs the brain to love what you're yelling about. The Huskies lost that game, by the way.

I was a fan of the Huskies in 2008 when they lost every single game. They are the only Pac-12 team
Husky Stadium after that Arizona gameto have a season with no wins (it was the Pac-10 back then). I remember celebrating first downs because they were rare and the only thing there was to celebrate. (That coach, who shall not be named, got fired at the end of that year.)

I stuck with them through the Sarkisian era when things got slightly better. At least we went to some bowl games. Then Sarkisian went to USC where he got fired for something that is being disputed in the courts. (Ironically, Sarkisian is now Alabama's Offensive Coordinator.)

And the University of Washington hired Chris Petersen from Boise State where he'd had great success. Three years ago. I don't think anyone expected Petersen to have this much success this early. Somehow it all came together this year.

I used to say I'd be happy if the Huskies record was 8-4 or better, they beat Oregon, they beat Washington State in the Apple Cup, and they went to a bowl and won it. So far this year, they've done all of that except for winning the bowl game. We'll find out later today if they can do that. They are the 15 and a half point underdogs in this game.

And the future? If Peterson stays at UW, I think we can expect continued success. Maybe not this good every year. But this good quite often. I'm hoping the Chris Petersen years will be like the halcyon Don James years.

Now excuse me while I get my game face on.

*The current playoff system is only in its third year. We'll see how long this lasts after the debacle that was the BCS system. I wish they'd just go to a playoff system with all the conference champions.

The Speculative Fiction Cantina with K.J. Gillenwater and J.P. Robinson

Today on the Speculative Fiction Cantina we are pleased to welcome writers K.J. Gillenwater and J.P. Robinson.
K.J. GillenwaterK.J. Gillenwater

K.J. Gillenwater has a B.A. in English and Spanish from Valparaiso University and an M.A. in Latin American Studies from University of California, Santa Barbara. She worked as a Russian linguist in the U.S. Navy, spending time at the National Security Agency doing secret things. After six years of service, she ended up as a technical writer in the software industry. She has lived all over the U.S. and currently resides in Idaho with her family where she runs her own business writing government proposals and squeezes in fiction writing when she can. In the winter she likes to ski and snowshoe; in the summer she likes to garden with her husband, take walks with her dog, and try her hand at gold panning and huckleberry picking. She has written several paranormal suspense books and plans on writing more.

K.J.'s Books:

Nemesis

Skyfall

Acapulco Nights

K.J.'s Links:

Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest

J.P. RobinsonJ.P. Robinson

J.P. Robinson is a writer, performer and video producer.  J.P.’s writing includes a myriad of formats, from radio commentary to hour-long storytelling shows, and screenplays to novels.  J.P. is a storyteller with and the founder of Better Said Than Done, Virginia’s premiere storytelling troupe, voted one of the “Best Performing Arts Companies in Virginia” by Virginia Living Magazine (2012 -15).  After graduating from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Film and TV Production, JP launched Capture Video, Inc., a corporate video production company. JP is currently working on Book 2 of the V to Z Trilogy. The first book in the series, Caged, is available for purchase here. J.P. has been a regular commentator on WAMU, DC’s NPR station. Publications include my true, personal story, “The Game,” in Sucker for Love, and, “What Are the Odds?” in The Northern Virginia Review, Volume 29.

J.P.'s works;

Caged

"What Are the Odds?" (short story not available online)

"The Game" (short story)

J.P.'s Links:

Website (personal)
Website (Fairfax, VA storytelling show)
Blog
Facebook
Twitter

From today's program: Largest Space Telescope Ready to Launch

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

Social Media

It's time once again for the 52-week blogging challenge. Today's prompt is a little strange. It's "Social Media Phenomenon." I'm not sure what they are looking for.

In social media I blog (duh), I use Twitter, and I use Facebook, both personally and a Facebook page about my books and writing, appearances, etc. I have a Google+ account that I never use.

On my personal Facebook account I don't censor myself. I'll post about politics, or whatever comes to mind. Since I'm sort of a political junkie (less so this horrible year), I tend to post about politics a lot (probably too much).

At one time I had a "political" twitter account. I followed pundits and other people who had intelligent things to say. I'd occasionally try to join the conversation with a pithy tweet of my own. I once got retweeted by an editor of an opinion journal. Once.

I used to have a blog on which I didn't censor myself (as I do on this blog). I got very political. I once got linked to by a very popular blog. I got about 12,000 hits in one day. I got burned out on it in 2012 and simply stopped writing it. It's still out there on the interwebs.

On my Facebook page, I am never political or controversial. I post about my books, appearances, and things I find interesting about science or space exploration.

On Twitter I've gotten political twice when I tweeted a hashtag about the election we all just suffered through. Just a hashtag, with no comment.

I have noticed people are "braver" on social media. They are much more likely to argue (or troll) you than they would in real life. And sometimes anger flairs. I've been "unfriended" by relatives and friends who disagree with me.

I don't think I've even hinted at my politics on this blog. Well maybe once or twice.

So, that's about it for social media. How do you use social media in your life.

Rudolph's Reading 2016 Christmas GIveaway is Almost Over

It's almost over, Rudolph's Reading 2016 Christmas Giveaway. Be sure to enter for your chance at winning lots of prizes and a grand prize of $120 PayPal cash.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Tables have Turned.

The tables have been turned. Usually I'm the one doing the interviews on the Speculative Fiction Cantina. But today I'm interviewed at The Daily Author. Tune in at 4:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM PT to hear me read from Treasure of the Black Hole and try to answer questions intelligently.
 

Listen in the above embedded player or here. It will also be in archive after it plays.

'Tis the Season

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah. 

The Speculative Fiction Cantina with Pamela K. Kinney and Randy Anderson

Today on the Speculative Fiction Cantina we are pleased to welcome writers Pamela K. Kinney and Randy Anderson.
Pamela K. KinneyPamela K. Kinney

Pamela K. Kinney gave up long ago trying not to listen to the voices in her head and writes bestselling horror, fantasy. science fiction, poetry, and nonfiction ghost books. Three of her nonfiction ghost books garnered Library of Virginia nominations and her horror short story, “Bottled Spirits,” was runner up for the 2013 WSFA Small Press Award.

Under the pseudonym, Sapphire Phelan, she writes erotic and regular paranormal, fantasy and science fiction romance. Her erotic urban fantasy, Being Familiar with a Witch was awarded the 2013 Prism awarded by the Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal chapter of Romance Writers of America.

Pamela and her husband live with one crazy black cat (who thinks she should take precedence over her mistress’s writing most days). Along with writing, Pamela has acted on stage and film, and done paranormal investigations (episodes of Paranormal World Seekers for AVA Productions), and is a member of both Horror Writers Association and Romance Writers of America. You can learn more about Pamela K. Kinney and her pseudonym, Sapphire Phelan at http://www.PamelaKKinney.com and http://www.SapphirePhelan.com.

Pamela's Works:

Spectre Nightmares and Visitations (paperback, ebook)
"Pick Up Date" (short story by Sapphire Phelan)
"Give Me Something Good to Eat" (short story)
Pamela's Links:
Website Blog Facebook (Pamela K. Kinney)Facebook (Sapphire Phelan) Twitter Pinterest
Randy AndersonRandy Anderson
In 2011, Randy began his literary adventure when he published his first book, On Making Off: Misadventures off off Broadway, a memoir of making theatre in New York City. His second book, Careful, a coming-of-age tale set in Ecuador, was released in 2014. On October 11, 2016 he launched his time travel series Time Phantom. The next two books in the series will be released in 2017. He is also working on a literary trilogy where each book is a collection of short stories that tell the story of a disheartened pastry chef and his family. 
Before writing books, Randy ran a small New York theater company from 1999-2004. During this time he produced over three dozen productions and events. He was a co-producer of The Unconvention, a political theater festival during the 2004 Republican National Convention. Plays he's written include; New Year's Resolutions, Homelessness Homosexuals and Heretics, Testing Average, Kill The President, Armor of Wills, and The Dwelling.
Randy's Books:

Time Phantom: Amsterdam 
Careful: A Novel
On Making Off: Misadventures off off Broadway 
Randy's Links:
Website Facebook Twitter
From today's show: Giant Metallic Asteroid May Have Water.
Listen to today's program at 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT or in archive here.

Music of My Heart

[image error] Back to the 52-week blogging challenge and today's prompt is "Music of My Heart." Not quite sure what they mean by that.

I already did a blog post on music that had me put my iPhone on "shuffle" and write down the three songs that came up.

So, Music of My Heart. I guess I'll just name some favorite songs/pieces.

It's almost Christmas and one of my favorite bits of music is the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's The Messiah. Actually, ironically, The Messiah is probably more appropriate for Easter than Christmas as it follows all of Jesus's life, death, and Resurrection. But it is traditionally performed at Christmastime.

Another favorite piece of mine is the "Flower Duet" from the opera Lakmé by Léo Delibes. The link is to one of the best performances I've found of the duet. I just wish it didn't have French subtitles. The beauty of it is transcendental. If you don't like opera, give this a try. You'll change your mind.

But I have eclectic taste. Probably my favorite rock song is "We're an American Band" by Grand Funk Railroad. It's just a powerful, hard-hitting rock song. Also hard hitting is "The Immigrant Song" by Led Zeppelin. If you listen to the lyrics you realize it's about Vikings.

I usually don't like cover songs, but this version of The Immigrant Song is amazing.

Speaking of covers, did you know that Jimi Hendricks's "All Along the Watchtower" is a cover of a Bob Dylan song? Still one of my favorite songs from the 60s. Hendricks's "Foxy Lady" is amazing, too (I can't find a good version on YouTube).

And then there's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana.

So that's some of my favorite music. What's your favorite music?

I Don't Believe It.

According to the Blogger stats on my blog (that you're now reading), I've had 236,991 lifetime page views. And I've had 244 of those today. And that's with a total of 14 followers.

I don't believe it.

Take a look at this:

That's a screen capture of the page views for my blog posts from a few days ago.

I really doubt 115 people looked at my post from 12/2/16. And the longer a post is up, the more fantastical the page views become. For example, my post for 11/13/16 supposedly has 279 page views as of now.

At first I thought it was referrer spam. But that's pretty easy to spot.

When I look at referring sites, it's mostly Google (this is from today):


So I don't get it. But I really doubt all those people are reading my blog. If they are, great. But it seems too good to be true.

There are Still Nice People Out There.

Yesterday my wife and I were going to Pasco, Washington, to interview someone for a freelance story I am writing. About five miles north of Pasco on Highway 395, we got a flat tire. The outside temperature according to the car was 5 degrees and that was without the windchill. And the wind was blowing hard. I thought I didn't want to change a tire in below zero windchill. So I called AAA. They said it could take up to two hours for them to get there. I settled in for the wait.

About five minutes after getting off the phone with AAA, a small pickup stops in front of us, turns on his emergency flashers, and backs up. Out comes a young man dressed warmly carrying one of those crossed tire irons and a jack. He came up to the window and asked if we needed help. I said we did. I got out of the car and opened the trunk, got out the temporary spare and the lug wrench (none of the ones on his tire iron fit). He jacked up the car, took off the tire. I put the flat tire in the trunk and by then he had the spare on and was tightening the lug bolts. He lowered the car. I offered him money but he wouldn't take it. He got in his pickup and drove off. I never even got his name. It was too cold for conversation.

My wife took a picture of his pickup (above). I have no idea who this guy was. But I want to thank him for his help. There are still nice people out there.