Tuesday Coffee: Last Tuesday Of 2015

            Yes 2015 is coming to a close, surprising as it may seem to some. And it was a pretty good year overall. But there is always room for improvement. But when looking back over a year and looking forward to the next year you also have to be thankful for what you have as well. For 2015 I am most thankful for my family and friends who I consider family. I’m also thankful for the success I have had in the writing world as well as the academic world.

            So what am I planning for 2016 you might be wondering. Well for one I am going on Chantix and finally kicking my smoking habit. It’ long overdue that I do it and I know I can succeed this time. The second thing I am doing is getting my butt into a gym and getting into shape. And no it is not for anyone but me. I need to do this for my health. I’ve been big all my life and I probably always will be big. But I can be big and healthy at the same time. I want to be able to walk the city again like I used to be able to do and this is the route to doing that I believe. Third on my agenda is to simplify and master my schedule as well as get on top of deadlines. That means that the blog entries may be short at times since I will be under time limits on how long I spend writing them out.

            I will also be working on long term goals as well in 2016 aside from those attached to the school. I will be being published again in 2016 and am already at work the first deadline for it. But more long term than that I have a three major ideas I am working on. The first is working more on getting my magazine idea tentatively called Readers & Writers. It will basically be covering politics, science, literature, music, and history. As well a publishing short stories is my idea at this point. When it does startup it will be a quarterly publication until it picks up enough steam.

            But that is not all in my idea bin. I’m also working planning out a coffeehouse mainly themed for writers called The Writer’s Coffeehouse. Serving writer themed coffee treats and a variety of coffee flavors. As well as hot chocolate and probably some juices for when a writer has to bring the kids along. I don’t want to be responsible for stunting their growth after all. And we will have diet coke. My editor will get that. But that is not all since writers deserve to have a night life as well. And be able to work. So I figured opening a bar called The Comma would be a good idea as well. With writer themed alcoholic drinks and soda so that writers can take it easy through the night. Normally we would be playing upbeat yet laid back Jazz. But there would be a stage for poetry readings or songwriters to try out their songs.

            You have a couple of more days of guaranteed long posts from me before the changes take place but I am just giving you a head’s up. It’s about med time for me so for now leave your comments and questions below. And if you want my posts showing up in your inbox enter your email address in the box below where it says follow by email. As for me I have some studying to do f I can before I have to take my meds. *Tips his hat and walks out the door towards the study. *

Saturday Thoughts: Holiday Aftermath

            It has been a crazy couple of days. And I do apologize for not posting on Christmas like I meant to, it was just too chaotic to get anything done. And I was a bit a bummed out as well. I didn’t get to go out and see my dad’s side of the family, though that will be happening eventually. But my grandfather had to spend Christmas in the hospital for observation. And my step mom was in intensive care with pneumonia. She is doing better now, and I thank all my friends for all their prayers.

            And don’t get me wrong I enjoyed spending time with my mom and the rest of her side of the family. Just it was hard to maintain my Christmas cheer worrying about family members. And then I get home and my computer has apparently died. But a friend is letting me use theirs so I can do school work and write. Another friend is going to try ad fix it. But if that fails my friend, Tim, has offered to come through with a Christmas miracle loan to get a new computer so I can keep going in school.

            It’s been a crazy year with ups and downs. But I have the best family and that includes friends in the world. They have supported me and helped me as much as they can throughout the year. Ad I appreciate it more than words can say. I now I can be hard headed and difficult to say the least. But I do really mean well. And I thank you all for sticking by my side through good times and bad. I have buried several more hatchets this year and tried to make amends for the ass I was as a teenager. I know it seems weird to some but it is so that I can have a clear conscience in the end.

            For those just getting to know me welcome aboard. Stick around and have some coffee or tea. I’ll gladly sit and talk with you and help you succeed along with everyone in my circle. I’ll help the best I can. I’ll listen and not judge. Though expect many hugs. My calling is to write and teach. But it is also to listen and help and guide. I know I am weird to some and a blessing to others. But for all those who have met me I wish nothing but success.

             And come the new year I will be unveiling a couple new ideas I have in mind. But I can’t do them alone. I need help with these big projects and I hope you will like them and want to come aboard. And I have no doubt that me and those who join in can succeed. Since anything I set my mind to I can achieve. I have a couple of regular publishers of my short stories. And working on more. This not just about me and my ego and wanting to make it big. I want to bring as many people along with me on the success train as I can. I don’t want to leave anyone behind.

            After all what is the point of success if your family can’t be there to enjoy it all with you. It is better to bring those you care about along with you. So that they get to enjoy the triumph with you. As good as 2015 has been to me I think 2016 will be even better. So keep your chins up it will get better. As always feel free to leave questions and comments below. If you want my posts to be in your inbox before 2016 arrives enter your email address in the box below where it says follow by email. As for me I have schoolwork to do even though I am on vacation. *Tips his hat and walks out the door headed towards the study. *

Throwback Thursday: Merry Christmas

            I know I’ve been absent the past few days, but it has been hectic around here with Christmas fast approaching. But tonight relaxing at my mom’s hose for Christmas Eve. Having a good time so far though it has had its moments. And I will be relaxing at some point but my mind is too occupied with ideas and things to work on still so I’ll be doing work for now. Something I am getting used to since starting college. I’m becoming a workaholic and understanding my dad a bit better as I have mentioned before. But even as I am becoming a workaholic I still take Christmas Day off from working. And I was just thinking how funny it is how our priorities for the holiday change as the years go by.

            As a kid I was more excited about Santa Claus and presents. Now I find myself more excited about getting to spend time with family talking over good food and drink. Sharing stories about things long past or just that we have done through the year. Don’t get me wrong I still like presents. But I am not as give me give me give as I used to be. I am more appreciative and make note of how the gift came to me for a future story to tell someone as well as the gift itself. I value the memories I make with my family every Christmas more and more as the years go by.

            Tradition on my dad’s side of the family is that we all set aside all of our differences and come together at my grandparents’ house for a meal together as well as gift giving. We sit and talk around the Christmas Fire that roars in the fireplace in the living room. Sometimes there is Christmas Music playing in the background. But it is the one time of the year I get to see most everyone on my dad’s side of the family though we are working on changing that so I get to see them more often. Hopefully with the new year that will come about.

            With my mother’s house it is more chaotic. There are people dropping in and out all day and calling as well. And virtually nothing goes off on time. But there is a more laid back feel to the day. Not such a schedule to stuff as there was when I was growing up at my grandparents’ house. Though in recent years they have gotten more laid back.  Both had the same rules about gifts though when I was growing up. You could open you stocking but you had to wait for everyone to be up and then gifts were handed out after breakfast. And then wherever you were at lunch time was the big meal of the day.

            I know this is super late today but been spending time with family and friends. And enjoying the time I have with them. And to those in heaven that are missed on this day that might be reading this somehow. Don’t think I ever forget about you. I still remember all the conversations we had and the stories that were told. You are still deeply missed and never forgotten. And I hope you are watching from above and seeing that I finally got my act together.

            I’m getting a bit misty eyed and you will hear from me a bit later on Friday. But for now enjoy the holiday with your family and friends and be merry please. Feel free to throw up comments and questions and well wishes in the comments below. And wherever you are today Merry Christmas from me and my family to you and yours. *Tips his hat and pops up the chimney. *