Michael T. Miyoshi's Blog, page 58
October 31, 2015
Halloween Melancholy
I have heard it said that growing old stinks. The creaks and groans in the joints and the general wear and tear on the body and mind take their toll as the years march by. But those things are not what I think of as I grow older. What I think of most is how little my children need me anymore.
My birthday and Halloween are always the same week so reflecting on aging is natural even though I still feel young. Oh sure, the little aches and pains that I never had before are no fun, but the pain...
October 24, 2015
Not Spare Change
If you were the person counting the money in the offering lately, that 15 cents I put in was not spare change.
A long time ago, I decided that I would give God at least half of my writing earnings. It would not all go to the church necessarily, but I knew dedicating it to God was what I wanted to do. Actually, I was trying to bargain with God, and I just knew the royalties would start rolling in if He agreed to the deal. (By the way, it does not work that way. God does not bargain, nor does...
October 17, 2015
I Sold a Screenplay
I am so excited. I sold a screenplay.
Actually, I sold a couple screenplays. A couple copies of the same one. Which is completely different from what most people think of as “selling a screenplay.” It means I basically sold a book. That I have made a couple bucks rather than signing a contract for potentially lots of bucks. But that is okay. It also means that I have actually made some money writing.
In this day of self-publishing, it is not uncommon for an unknown like me to make money writ...
October 10, 2015
Ode to a Fish
(I wrote about Dan, that great fisherman
Who each year tossed his line out as only fishermen can
He cast in his bait to catch him a newb
“Some rookie,” he thought, “just might be a rube.”
After many a year he finally did catch one
He was a truly big fish, a monstrous Montana son.
But when I wrote about Dan, the fish I neglected
A fact with this rhyme, I hope I’ve corrected.)
An ode to a fish but not just any old sort
The fish that was caught was a jolly good sport
He was not a trout, not a sa...
October 3, 2015
English Teachers Are Full of Poop
English teachers are full of poop.
Okay. Not really. I just wanted to use “poop” and “English teachers” in the same sentence. (Okay. That is not true either, but I had to say something to disarm the English teachers I know and love.)
When I say that English teachers are full of poop, it is not because they all have brown eyes, but because I think that sometimes they are. Sure, they teach us how to write and how to analyze literature and how to write about analyzing literatu...
September 26, 2015
Life Is Fragile
Life is fragile and we should handle it with care.
Actually, even though life can be fragile, the truth is that relationships are fragile and we ought to handle each other’s hearts with care. We need to treasure each person’s heart.
I was reminded of this thought when one of my uncles died recently.
Family is a funny thing. When you have a strong one, you want to be near them. I know because I have this draw to be near my parents and siblings. And yet this same draw is what keeps me where I...
September 19, 2015
Do NOT Watch Documentaries
Ignorance is bliss. So you might want to stop reading if you want to stay blissful.
I probably should have realized it before but I should not watch documentaries. At least if I want to stay ignorant. After all, I was happy being ignorant about eating myself to death before I watched Forks Over Knives a few years ago. And I was happy being ignorant about plastic before I watched Plastic Paradise: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
The end result of watching both of th...
September 12, 2015
Catching the Lunker [1]
If you spend enough time fishing, eventually you will catch the big one. You just need to keep casting your line into the water, patiently waiting for one to take the bait.
At least that is what they tell me.
Great fishermen and fisherwomen will tell you it just takes patience and putting your line in the water to catch fish. I work with one of those nameless great fishermen who keeps casting his line into the water. He keeps fishing and fishing and fishing. Hoping to catch the big one. The...
Catching the Lunker
If you spend enough time fishing, eventually you will catch the big one. You just need to keep casting your line into the water, patiently waiting for one to take the bait.
At least that is what they tell me.
Great fishermen and fisherwomen will tell you it just takes patience and putting your line in the water to catch fish. I work with one of those nameless great fishermen who keeps casting his line into the water. He keeps fishing and fishing and fishing. Hoping to catch the big one. The...
September 5, 2015
A Hug with Words
Photo courtesy Marc Hillestad
Marc, my friend, foil, and arch-nemesis (I need to come up with a super-villain name for him), told me that I needed to use the phrase “Hug with Words” in a blog post.
We were listening to our inspiring guest speaker, Simon T. Bailey, when this seemingly innocent challenge to my writing ability was given. Naturally, I accepted the challenge even though I never said anything. But I know he expects it. For I have once again stepped into his dastardly plans.
Before...
