Long Overdue Blog Update

I haven't written or edited a thing for myself in a month. Sort of feels good, but at the same time, I wonder if I'm in one of those downward spirals where my subconscious has given up on writing. (Don't worry, I always go back to it, eventually.)

I started a new job on May 7. That's a big part of why I'm not writing. Between work, commuting, and the gym, I don't have a lot of time left in the day. (And I hate the gym...)

I think another big part of why I'm not writing is the slow uptake on the last two books. LONG EMPTY ROADS did okay, but honestly--AFTER EVERYONE DIED is still selling more copies than LER. And for a two year old book, AED is not exactly burning up the charts. LORD BOBBINS AND THE ROMANIAN RUCKUS is more or less dead in the water. I had hoped for a boost after I did the interview at Airship Ambassador, but it did not help much. TB&TRR has barely sold any eBooks, and it hasn't sold a single hard copy since @TeslaCon ended. It hasn't generated any reviews, and as I've said before: If you don't get to at least 50, that means the book is dead. Right now, LER is at 35.

I should get back to writing and editing soon, though. My new job has summer hours. That means I work M-TH and have Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays off. This Friday, as of now, I'm anticipating revisiting Culver's, sidling into my old regular book, and jamming on the keyboard for a while. Come have a burger with me.

In other worlds, I've partaken of some pop culture, so here's some reviews:

Movies:
DEADPOOL 2: Fun, funny, and a worth sequel. Was it as good as the first movie? No. Is it still a good movie? Absolutely. Ryan Reynolds has said they probably won't make a third, but he wants to see Deadpool as the sidekick in someone else's movie. I would any price for a ticket to the Spider-Man/Deadpool crossover. And if they made a Deadpool/Wolverine movie--oh, man...

SOLO: I thought this movie would be stupid when they announced it. It is a pointless movie to make. We know the three most important characters WILL NOT DIE. That really cuts down on the drama aspect. However, they made a fun heist movie that, despite having no real emotional impact, is still worth seeing. Go see a matinee. Pay less cash for the ticket, but still a fun film. I liked it better than ROGUE ONE or THE LAST JEDI.

SUPER TROOPERS 2: Funny. A worth sequel. As good as the first? No. But, I still laughed. Some of the gags were hilarious. And Rob Lowe's Canadian accent is worth the price of admission.

BLOCKERS: I went to see this because I had nothing better to do. I love Leslie Mann, though. And I've always liked Ike Barinholtz. And John Cena seems like a truly good dude. I went to an early show ($6 tickets!) and I had a good time. Is it a great movie? No. Is it funny and clever? Yes. It's a standard teen sex romp film, but taken from the female perspective. It had some fun with some tropes. Cena was great. I liked it far more than I thought I would.

TV:
Series Finale of THE MIDDLE: I loved this show. I initially started watching because of my love for SCRUBS and Neil Flynn's Janitor character (Knifewrench! For kids!), but this show really grew on me. I was sad to see it go, but it was a fitting end to a nine-season run. I hear they're going to spin-off Eden Sher's Sue Heck into her own series. I'd watch that. I thought Sue Heck was one of the most original characters I've seen on TV in a while. Her optimism was uncrushable, and the world needs more of that.

Books:
AGE OF ASSASSINS by RJ Barker: Just plowed through this novel, the first in the "Wounded Kingdom" trilogy. It was the type of book I love--fantasy, a young hero-in-the-making still in his apprenticeship, and a good, tight, political "find the assassin before he kills the king-to-be" plot. I enjoyed it enough that I jumped on the sequel immediately.

Music:
The lead singer of Frightened Rabbit, Chris Hutchison, recently committed suicide. Tragic, tragic end to an amazing singer and songwriter. Depression is real. And it's horrible. I've been dealing with it for most of my life. My buddy, Matthew Eidson, introduced me to FR on his outstanding radio show, Old Dog, New Music (which you can listen to online tomorrow night). He called their sound "Sad Bastard Music"--which is fitting. And I love me some good sad bastard music. Go check out their record "Painting of a Panic Attack." There isn't a bad song on that record.The song "Get Out" is wonderful. And the video is art.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBdsY...
Rest in peace, Chris. You are gone far too soon.

Podcast:
I've been listening to Michael Ian Black's "How to Be Amazing" a lot lately. A lot of really interesting interviews. Black is a good host. He asks pointed, thoughtful questions and sits back to let the guest really talk. I enjoy it a lot.

Anyhow, enough for today. I'm not dead...it just seems like it.

Hope you all are well.

Tell friends to write reviews.

What are you all reading/watching lately?

Best,
Sean