Kyle Pratt's Blog: Musings & Rantings
March 6, 2021
A Shot in the Arm
I finally received my first COVID shot.
As I’ve mentioned before, I’m sixty-five years old and have a compromised immune system. Since I have a strong desire to live and want to be part of society once again, the COVID vaccine is rather important to me.
For weeks I’ve been searching but not finding the vaccine. However, when the subject arose in conversation, I’ve told friends and family about my vexing search.
Kyle gets a shot in the arm (Click to enlarge)
When the local health department scheduled a mass vaccination clinic near my home, I had several people phone and email me. My grousing and a letter to the editor probably helped with that. Without help, I would not have found the webpage to make appointments. Even as I filled out the forms for my wife and me, the available times were decreasing.
Two days later, we arrived about fifteen minutes early for the drive-through clinic. The line of cars already stretched several blocks down the road. We inched forward in our car for nearly an hour. Then, a masked woman walked down the line talking with those in each vehicle. She asked if we had an appointment and then told us not to be concerned about being late.
That was not my worry. I feared she would say that the vaccine supply was running low and we might not get the shot.
We were in line for nearly two hours before we received the shots. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining—at least not about that. I now have the first shot and an appointment for the second, but without computer skills and a network of friends, I wouldn’t have been so fortunate. I know many people who lack the requisite skills or circle of friends. I’m trying to stay in touch with these people, but there has to be a better way for them to schedule an appointment.
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March 5, 2021
COVID Frustration
(I’ve become increasingly frustrated as I attempt to navigate the complex system of finding, scheduling, and receiving a COVID vaccination in Washington State. After my most recent failed attempt, I wrote a letter to my local paper, The Chronicle. They printed it yesterday and it’s provided below for you, my readers.)
I’m sixty-five years old with a compromised immune system and eager to receive any of the COVID vaccines. I’m experienced with computers and stay informed about local and state news—especially COVID related. You’d think I would be able to find somewhere to receive the vaccine. You’d be wrong.
I’m on multiple waiting lists and regularly check the state Department of Health website. They consistently report no vaccine appointments available within one-hundred miles of my home.
Yesterday a friend sent me a link to a clinic in Lacey that had available vaccine appointments. I clicked on the link and, excited that my vaccine odyssey might soon be over, answered the pages of questions about me, my health, and insurance. At the end of the process, the site congratulated me and announced I had an appointment for the next day.
I arrived early and walked into the clinic. I passed a few staff members as I walked along mostly empty hallways, but I noticed no patients. A nurse greeted me at the room where the shots were administered.
“Are you here for a first or second dose?” she asked.
“First,” I said.
“I’m sorry. All we have is vaccine for the second dose.”
“But it’s the same vaccine,” I protested.
“Yes, but these are allocated for the second dose.”
“I have an appointment,” I said. “I answered all the questions, and you sent me an email confirming my time.”
During the several minutes I stood talking with her and the head nurse no patients arrived or left the clinic. Yes, they had the vaccine, but I couldn’t receive it.
As I drove away, I wondered is the Washington State vaccine distribution system broken, or is this the way it’s supposed to be working?
When I arrived home I retrieved The Chronicle from my mailbox. On the front page, they reported eight people had died in Lewis County from COVID in a single day. I suppose that each of these eight people desperately wanted to live. They wanted the vaccine but, like me, couldn’t get it.
Our vaccine distribution system is broken and needs to be fixed before others die.
In the comments section below, let me know about any frustrations you’ve had getting a vaccine shot.
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February 26, 2021
The Prerelease Fun Begins
Read chapter one of Facing the Storm!
The Storm Rises (Book 0) and Through the Storm (Book 1)
I don’t yet have a book cover for Facing the Storm but, you can read chapter one of the exciting third book of the Solar Storms Saga by clicking on the link here.
In this series, several immense coronal mass ejections have hit the Earth, destroying most modern technologies. Panic, starvation, and chaos spread across the world. The series follows several families as they struggle to survive and restore some semblance of civilization.
In March, I’ll release chapter two on social media and, we’ll do the cover reveal at that time. Then the April newsletter will include the release date. Right now, we’re planning the newsletter for April 19th with the release date being the same day.
If realistic, post-apocalyptic adventure is what you enjoy reading this series is for you! The manuscript for Facing the Storm will soon be sent to an editor. However, none of it has yet been revised. There will be misplaced commas, split infinitives, and perhaps worse. Don’t worry about them, just click on the link above or right here. You’ll be taken to a page giving more information about the series, where you can buy the books and ebooks, and a link to read chapter one.
After you’ve read the chapter, let me know what you think in the comments section below.
Click on the following links to read my author bio, or to read more about this and other writing projects.
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February 20, 2021
Moving to Alt-Tech
I’ve watched as the posts of conservatives are banned, taken down, fact checked, or labeled as inaccurate. The wealthy big tech bullies haven’t come after me but, people who hold beliefs similar to mine are singled out for attack. Meanwhile, those labeled as woke or progressive post vile and violent rants without censor. At some point, silence and inaction become submission.
Submitting is not something I do well. So, I’ve been moving my social media accounts. First, I closed my Twitter account and moved to Parler. In early January, Amazon, Google, and Apple forced Parler off the Internet. I didn’t want to return to Twitter, so I waited. It took until mid-February for Parler to return and, as of this writing, it is still not entirely back in service—but it will be soon. I hope when it is that you will follow me on Parler.
While all that was happening, I had begun moving my author Facebook account to MeWe. The site's interface is similar to that of Facebook but, MeWe has an emphasis on data privacy. That really interested me.
In November of 2020, accounts soared as users in Hong Kong moved from Facebook to MeWe due to concerns with Chinese Communist Party censorship and control. The Hong Kong freedom fighters are literally putting their lives and freedom in jeopardy when they post so, I respect their choices. You can follow me on MeWe.
Currently, I’m checking out possible replacements for YouTube.
I don’t know if my moves will become part of some great online shift. However, I’m certain that I don’t want a cabal of companies acting as online judge, jury, and executioner. So, I’m doing what I can to support alternative social media.
What are your thoughts about big-tech and alt-tech? Let me know in the comments section below.
Click on the following links to read my author bio, or read more about my political views.
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February 17, 2021
America’s Anchorman is Gone
Rush Limbaugh has been a part of my life for thirty years.
I first became aware of him while stationed in Japan serving with the Navy. On October 6, 1991, Rush appeared on 60 Minutes. That evening I watched the interview on the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS).
I had believed in conservatism for most of my life but never had I heard it expressed with such fun and confidence as when Rush articulated it that night.
Toward the end of the segment, correspondent Steve Kroft says to the audience, “you’re either laughing or fuming.” I was laughing and telling my wife, “When we return to the states, I want to hear more from this guy.”
Later Kroft said, “Rush is behaving like a true conservative. Placing his faith in free speech, if not good taste and in free enterprise. The market will eventually decide.”
Americans did decide. Rush became a bright beacon of the conservative movement and a welcome voice in millions of homes, including my own.
Rush, you will be sadly missed.
What did you enjoy about Rush Limbaugh or his radio show? Let me know in the comment section below.
Click on the following links to read my author bio, or read more about my political views.
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January 31, 2021
Some Other Goals
The Southwest Washington Writers Conference
Due to the COVID virus, last year’s Southwest Washington Writers Conference had to be canceled. I helped organize and spoke at the first SWW Conference back in 2014, and so this was a disappointment. A few weeks ago I heard that the sponsoring organization no longer wished to continue with the conference. This compounded my disappointment.
Kyle Pratt teaching at the Southwest Washington Writers Conference. (Click to enlarge)
I’ve joined with a half-dozen other interested individuals to form a non-profit organization to sponsor and keep the conference going. Now, all we need is for COVID to go away. If it does our goal is to hold the next conference on September 11, 2021. I’ll be writing more about the conference as the plans progress and, if it is held, I’d enjoy seeing you there.
Charlie Albright
Years ago, when I taught high school social studies in Centralia, Washington state, I had a student named Charlie Albright. He went on to be a concert pianist, performing at the Kennedy Center and other venues worldwide. I’ve written about him before, here and here, so I won’t repeat the details.
Charlie Albright (Click to enlarge)
However, we have kept in touch and early last year I was looking forward to a concert he had scheduled at nearby Centralia College. Of course it, along with all his other concerts, was canceled due to the pandemic. I’m hopeful the concert will be rescheduled and when it is, my goal is to be there.
In the year that we all hope COVID will pass from our lives, what personal goals or plans have you made? Let me know in the comment section below.
Click on the following links to read my author bio, or to read more of my thoughts about the pandemic.
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January 30, 2021
Two Goals
Things to hope for in 2021.
I’m hopeful that the year 2021 will see the end of COVID, masks, and lockdowns. I want to do the simple things that many of us once did without a thought, go out to dinner, see a movie, and hear a live concert.
Every year, in December and early January, I plan out my professional goals. This year my main goal is to finish two books that are way past the deadline because of the vasculitis that hit me hard in late 2018. I wrote about that here.
Facing the Storm
The cover for Facing the Storm has not yet been created. (Click to enlarge)
I’ve completed about ninety percent of Facing the Storm. It was scheduled for release in 2019, but for many months the vasculitis robbed me of energy. The book is now scheduled for release in April 2021.
The series centers on two families as they deal with the very real threat of a solar storm that has hurtled four coronal mass ejections at the Earth. When the storm hits, mere hours into The Storm Rises, it burns out most modern electronics and, the world descends into darkness.
Facing the Storm is the third book of the Solar Storm Saga, follows both The Storm Rises (Book 0), a 32,000-word sidequel, and the full-length novel Through the Storm (Book 1).
Return to Earth
Click to enlarge
I’ve also made it a goal to finish the novel Return to Earth, this year. This project has been started, stopped, delayed, and postponed too often.
Return to Earth is the third book of the Guardian Knights science fiction series. Among others, the series follows Lucas Baldwin, the young son of a powerful lord. On his first deep-space mission as he advances through a captured alien facility he encounters a lunatic girl about his age. Only later does he realize that the girl, Rachel, is speaking English, a long-dead language. Rachel talks of an Earth still in existence and more advanced than the horse-and-buggy world that had supposedly been destroyed.
I’ve written over 13,000 words of Return to Earth and really want to see it completed this year.
Looking forward to a COVID-free world, what professional goals or plans have you made? Let me know in the comment section below.
Click on the following links to read my author bio, or read more about current writing projects.
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December 25, 2020
Connecting with Charlie
Charlie Albright always seemed to have focus.
Today Charlie is unemployed.
Years ago, I taught at the local high school and one of my freshman students was Charlie Albright. Already a skilled pianist, while still in high school he earned an Associate of Science degree from the local community college. He went on to attend Harvard, the New England Conservatory of Music, and Juilliard. From there, he performed at the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, and around the world.
Kyle Pratt with Charlie Albright
In 2009 Charlie established a scholarship at Centralia College and purchased a Steinway grand piano for the institution. In March of the following year, he returned to the local community and performed on the “Charlie Albright Piano” at the college. I attended that night and had this picture taken with him.
Like so many performers, Charlie only gets paid when performing. This year that has gone from difficult to impossible. With the onslaught of the COVID pandemic and lockdowns, concerts have been canceled worldwide. But you can connect with Charlie via his website. Another way he tries to connect with fans is through social media. You can see Charlie perform both in concert and at home via his YouTube channel.
I encourage you to do so and click “like,” and “subscribe.”
Click on the following links to read my author bio, or to read more about this and other writing projects.
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December 19, 2020
Santa on Stage
This year we need all the humor we can find.
I’ve mentioned Dry Bar Comedy before in this blog. They feature stand-up that is free of off-color jokes and disparaging political humor. In this eight minute video I think there is one word that you might not want your children to use.
That is the sort of comedy I want—especially this year.
I’ve linked to a short seasonally appropriate video but, if you want, there are hundreds to view.
Click on the video, give it a try, and let me know what you think in the comments section.
Click on the following links to read my author bio, or to read more of my thoughts about the pandemic.
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December 18, 2020
Free Review Copies
I’ve asked several times for reviewers, and many of you have been very enthusiastic.
Here’s the deal, good reviews help sell books so, I’m willing to make a trade. If you’re willing to provide an honest review, I’ll give you the ebook version of one of my bestselling books.
Many people ask for review copies but not as many actually leave them. I use a site called StoryOrigin to sort out who leaves reviews and who does not. So, after you write the review, return to StoryOrigin and record the link. Positive or negative, if you do that, I’ll be happy to include you as a future reviewer.
The books available for review are shown below.
How To
If you would like a review copy of the Through Many Fires or Seekers of Earth, click on the title hyperlink above for the book you wish to review. You’ll be whisked to a special-page for requesting review copies. There, you’ll be asked a couple of questions and, then the download link will be sent via email in a day or two.
Click on the following links to read my author bio, or to read more about this and other writing projects.
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