Joshua P. Simon's Blog, page 25

Music Monday - Pink Floyd - On the Turning Away

The greatest Pink Floyd song ever. If you disagree, then you need to listen to this song a few more times. Unbelievably awesome.

On The Turning Away

Animaniacs - Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a bit lacking when it comes to holiday specials. Everyone does a Christmas special, and many do one for Halloween as well. Few try to tackle Thanksgiving, and when they do, it ends up being a dud.

However, one show got it right—The Animaniacs. I loved this cartoon growing up. My sister and I still quote from it, especially at this time of year when we do the “Turkey Song” from the below clip. It’s a short viewing, but hilarious nonetheless.

Tell me what you think!

Music Monday - Led Zeppelin

My favorite album of one of my favorite bands. Unbelievable start to finish. Raw. Heavy. And Bluesy.

Dazed and Confused


Your Time is gonna come


How Many More Times (best track on the album for me)

What Makes a Good Dad

My wife forwarded me an article the other day because she knows that I have pretty strong feelings about what it means to be a “good dad.” The article is here.

I agree with most of what the author says. I think those arguing against him in the comment section (or calling him ridiculous) are missing the point he is trying to make.

Wiping your kid’s nose, changing a diaper, making sure they’re fed, teaching them to throw a ball, teaching them to read, and so on, are all great. But doing those things doesn't make you a great dad.

As Chris Rock once said (and I’m paraphrasing): “You’re SUPPOSED to do those things.” It’s like “Hey, thanks for waking up today. You’re a good human.”

You shouldn’t have to tell someone they’re a good dad for doing the very things that a dad SHOULD be doing anyway.

So why does this happen so often? I think it comes from the fact that there are many fathers who look for every opportunity they can to get out of doing those things. These fathers interact with their children only when its “convenient” for them.

If you are one of these fathers, you’re a joke. You’re pathetic if you can’t change diapers, watch the kids without your wife, give them a bath, etc.

These fathers are the ones screwing it up for everyone else.

Being told I’m a good father for wiping my kid’s nose is extremely condescending as it insinuates that someone thought I was incapable of mastering such a complicated act of parenthood.

I mean, you never hear someone calling a woman “a good mom” for taking all of her kids to the store. Why? Because it’s expected. It’s something they are SUPPOSED to do.

Please people, quit holding men to a different set of standards when it comes to parenthood (a lower one at that). If you wouldn’t pay the same compliment to a woman, then don’t give it to a man.

So, how do you determine who is a good father? Here’s my standard. Compare me to other dads who are doing the things that they are SUPPOSED to be doing. Then determine who is doing those things begrudgingly and who is doing those things because they want to do them.

The good dads are those who do them because they want to (out of love), not obligation.

Music Monday - Kreator - Violent Revolution

Kreator is one of those bands that don’t get enough credit within the thrash/heavy metal genre. They’ve been around for decades, putting out solid album after solid album. I personally prefer their later stuff. Here are a couple of tracks off the Violent Revolution album.

Enjoy!

Violent Revolution


Reconquering The Throne (Live)

2012 Football

The 2012 season has been quite a mix of emotions for me.

In college football, Notre Dame, my favorite college team, is finally winning again. Not only are they winning, but they are doing so with defense, something that had been absent over the last ten years or so. It’s pretty awesome watching Manti Te’o and the rest of the defense swarm to the ball, especially against good teams like Oklahoma (I’m pretending the awful Pitt game never happened). I only hope they keep this up and absolutely skull-drag USC. After that, who knows what will happen in the BCS standings. Either way, I’m enjoying the ride.

The NFL, is a completely different matter. The Saints were expected to take a step back in light of the bounty scandal, especially since they lost Sean Peyton for the season. However, I don’t think anyone, including me, thought it would be this bad. It’s like I’m watching a New Orleans team from yesteryear on the fiel

Losing Carl Nicks to the Buccaneers has been huge. The offensive line isn’t giving Brees the same protection he’s had in recent years. Granted, they’re still putting a decent amount of points on the board, but not as easily as they once did.Up until this past week against Philadelphia, the running game (especially Mark Ingram) has been very disappointing. I never expected Ingram to be the next Barry Sanders, but I was hoping for at least the next Dalton Hilliard. Hopefully, he’s finally starting to find his groove. If not, I’d rather see the Saints use more of Ivory.The defense is still atrocious (and by far the biggest reason for the team’s woes), despite that being the focus of recent drafts, and the hiring of new coordinators.If the Saints aren’t able to really pull things together and make some noise in the playoffs, I think I’d rather see them blow this season and try their luck at picking up Notre Dame’s Manti Te’o or UGA’s Jarvis Jones in the draft. Both are crazy good, and both would give that defense the life it so desperately needs.
How is the college and NFL season shaping up for everyone else?

Music Monday - Audioslave - Self-Titled

As requested by a certain individual, today’s Music Monday is Audioslave. I like all three albums, but the first one is the best.

Like a Stone


Set it off


I am the Highway (Live)
…probably my favorite song by the band.

My First Year As a Published Author

So, I just realized that I officially completed my first year as a published author last month on October 5th.

That’s pretty crazy.

One moment I think, “Really, only a year?” A moment later, “Wow, a year already?”

Over the last 12 months I’ve written two books, one novella, and four short stories while also polishing a few other works. I released two books, one short story, and one novella during that same period. I’ve also posted about 140 times on this blog.

Production wise, that’s not too shabby of a year. Especially when you consider the time spent with God, church, family, friends, work, exercising, etc., (basically, life in general) while writing all of the above.

It makes me wonder what I could accomplish if I ever find success as a writer and am able to do this thing full-time. Of course, every writer wonders that same thing.

…Ah, to dream…

Here’s hoping that next year is even better!

Music Monday - Halloween 2012

A Halloween inspired Music Monday. Enjoy!

Slayer - Angel of Death


Iron Maiden - Transylvania


Mercyful Fate - Return of the Vampire

Writing Update

Thought I’d give another quick writing update for the blog.

Hero of Slaves - The novella which takes place after Books 1 & 2 in the Blood and Tears Trilogy is in the final edits/proofing stage. As mentioned previously, this shorter work fills in the gaps surrounding Cassus since his departure from the Hell Patrol at the beginning of Rise and Fall.

It shouldn’t take me long to wrap these last tweaks up and hand it over to Leah for formatting. I just need to set aside some time in the next few days to do so. After that, the blurb/description needs a final read through, then it will be ready to publish. I was originally planning for a December 1, 2012 date. If that date changes, it will only be earlier which is a good thing

Book 3 of the Blood and Tears Trilogy – The good news is that I have officially finished the rough draft of the book (completed on Friday, October 19th, after a solid 3000 word writing day). I will admit that I do need to add a couple of short scenes here or there, and I have yet to write the epilogue...however, the story is essentially done. Call me silly, but I don’t want to write the epilogue (probably only a couple thousand words) until I’ve finished a couple rounds of revisions.

Though completing the draft felt good, it didn’t feel as satisfying as I thought it would. This is probably because I know it isn’t ready for anyone to read yet. I’ll feel better about the work as it goes through my normal revision process. Still, it’s a noteworthy accomplishment that I’m pretty proud of. I’m hoping to get this to Leah for her first read through in the next few weeks…kind of scary to think about.

Oddly enough, the book is a lot shorter than I thought it would be. The final version of Rise and Fall was about 174K, Steel and Sorrow about 145K. Despite being packed with action, story, and character development, Book 3 is currently sitting in the low 130s (plus a couple thousand words for the epilogue). I hope that means that I’m doing a better job of telling a lean, yet satisfying tale. :)

Now, if I can only decide on a title . . .