Fifth Anniversary, etc . . .

Yesterday was my fifth anniversary. Not marriage, but equally as important, to me. I have not had any booze for five years now. I know that to some, that's many years is just a drop in the hat; to some people that's not really a lot of time at all. But to me, it's pretty cool.
When I went to The Resort, as I call it, I couldn't conceive of going that long without my "friend" vodka. I couldn't fathom of what I was going to do with all that time. And it sure was different, but to me, once I got over the craving, it was better. Then once I got over missing it, it was better. Then as the days and weeks went by I thought about it less and less. I thought that seeing people drinking, partying and such on TV and in movies might be bad, but it wasn't.
I know where meetings are if I ever feel the need to go, but I haven't gone with any regularity in a long time. I think the main thing that really works for me besides that I don't WANT to drink, and don't need to drink, is that I don't ever want to have to start over. That works for me.
Thank you to all of my friends who have been there for me and supported me the last five years. It's been a great ride and we'll keep going down the right road for many many years to come. And a special thanks to Heidi, who really gave me the push.

No changes in job . . . still plugging away in the Night Audit position at the hotel. I have been working hard on my writing project. I hooked up with an editor, Jennifer, from the east coast, who is an author herself. She has been such great help and a great influence with my work. I just got back my manuscript from her second edit, and there has been such a change for the better from when she first started working with me. Granted there is still more work to be done, but I am closer now to being where I want to be with it. I have been thinking about where I want to go with the project when it is finished, and now I am seriously thinking of going the eBook route. I have a lot of research to do on this subject, but I have time. If anyone has any thoughts on this, please feel free to share.

Another thing I am going to start doing is doing a podcast with the first book, reading it in 10 or so sections and posting this on this blog. I know authors have done this before, and it has given them exposure to them and their work, so I thought I might try this out. Look for it in the next week or so on here. Anyone feel free to share ideas and comments on the podcast when it appears here!

On a totally unrelated note, I just read that Charlie Harper has died and his funeral is September 19th. Hope to see everyone there.

Have a great weekend and keep all fingers crossed that I get a podcast up and running!! More later,

Dub

November 16,2010

Much too long since my last post...

I wanted to do something different for my 50th, so after my night audit shift on Sunday, I hopped into the car (already prepacked with everything for a road trip) and drove to Boise, my home town. Meeting up with many old friends that I have been able to reconnect with through Facebook; Jr. High School and High School friends that I have not seen or talked to in twenty to thirty years! Funny how as I've been able to talk to them on the phone and already have seen some of them, it seems like no time at all has passed since last we hung out. Only the physical effects of time show any difference, and even that hasn't really made much of a difference with some! No one looks as old as they are, I think that's a good sign! I was also able to see an old dear friend of the family, quite possibly for the last time, so I am really counting my blessings that I decided to make the trip. Having a great time so far; a bunch of us are going to meet somewhere and catch up this evening, I am really looking forward to it.

The car handled extremely well during the drive with the new transmission and new front tires. I really was prepared for things, with extra fluids, chains, car kit, first aid kit, blanket, pillow, extra food, cold weather gear, etc... Sure makes the drive a lot less stressful being so prepared. I was actually more worried about being tired than any inclement weather. Had an Eggnog Latte before leaving and then two energy drinks during the drive, but by the time I finally pulled into the hotel parking lot, I was close to being a zombie, haha. I really enjoyed the drive; it was the first road trip I had been on in almost ten years.

I had my goal to have my current writing project completed by my birthday, and last night, well, around 2:30 in the morning, I finished. What's left to do is go back through and edit the manuscript and add any additional scenes, put some color in, things like that. Then I need to find a literary agent that will work with me and get it out to where it needs to be. I am excited at how things are going, and I really like how the story has turned out as well.

Other than all that, things are pretty much the same as far as work is concerned. Though we are having more weeks of higher occupancy than we have been having; hopefully the powers that be will unfreeze the wage increases soon. And hopefully soon they will be a little more liberal with overtime, so that I can actually use more of my PTO in lump amounts. If they can't cover days off without creating overtime, they won't do it right now. So my Paid Time Off hours keep building. I am okay with that as long as I don't loose them at any point before I can use them!

I didn't get much sleep last night due to finishing the project and then some Zombie dreams (love those! haha) so I ended up starting the day earlier than planned, though a nap after lunch before meeting with the gang sounds like the best idea of all! I still get a kick out of the fact that as a kid, I hated naps and now I think they are a luxury!!!

Anyway, hope all of you readers out there have a superb and prosperous day!!

Will write again soon!
Dub

Thursday Sept. 23, 2010

Hey all, it's been over a month since my last post, so I am overdue!

Things are good. I am still working on my project, over 100 pages and going strong. Have slowed down just a bit though, went through a little plot difficulties but think I have things ironed out more; still on target for my goal date of completion which is the middle of November. I am really liking what I have accomplished thus far.

Work is going well, and have sold three books in the past couple of weeks to people as a result of conversation, so I am pleased that word of mouth advertising is working. Don't let anyone tell you that that kind of advertising doesn't work!

I am going to visit Mom, who has moved to Memphis, Germantown, to be exact, this Christmas and am really looking forward to it. She moved there to be close to my brother Pete and his family. So I get to be with lots of family. Should be a lot of fun, and a brand new place for me to visit! Would love to shed a few pounds before heading out there, and maybe my free three month membership to 24-hour Fitness will help (thanks to a lawsuit somebody filed against them I get to have this membership). And now that I have a car, it will be easier to get to the location. Before when I had my membership, it was somewhat of an ordeal to get there. . .

Funny, I woke up today at 7, and thought I was late for work, and then noticed it was 7am, so since I work at night, I was relieved to be able to go back to sleep. Haven't done that since my drinking days, when twice I got up hours before I needed to thinking I was late. . . ah... those were the days, ha ha.

The car is running fine, still have some kind of gas leak, but as long as I never fill up the tank over 3/4 full, I am okay. Need to get it to Mike the Mechanic and have him check into that sometime...

Saw somebody post a saying on Facebook that I liked: If you can afford booze and cigarettes, then you don't need foodstamps.

Well, not too much else happening... Hope life is good for everyone out there! Will make another post again hopefully a lot sooner!

Dub

August 18 After Midnight

Hello all! What, I can't be up late on my night off? I know, but sometimes it's not easy to sleep like a normal person during the night even when I don't have to work... thank God for naps! Remember when we were little kids and hated naps? How things change, no?

So we have had a second heat wave here in the Puget Sound, and it is now supposed to be over, and that's okay. I say that only because I am getting so very tired of all the phone calls from rooms at work saying that the air conditioner is not working, do I know what is wrong with it? Of course soon I will be getting the calls saying the heater doesn't work, all it does it put out cold air... oh well, it is what it is.

The new project is moving smoothly along, just finished Chapter Twenty and started Chapter Twenty One, and I am nowhere near the end, so that is a good sign. I am quite pleased with the progress I am making, my goal is to have it ready to show before my birthday this year, and I am quite sure it's an attainable goal. My partner in writing has been telling me she is happy with the way things are going as well; I just keep on writing. Will keep you all updated on that project as things go.

The car. I filled the tank last evening for the first time since the gas leak was noticed last time and stopped. Well, it leaked once again, but stopped when it got to just above 3/4 of a tank. So obviously there is something up. I will take it to my mechanic (I can say I have one now) and have him take a look, hopefully he won't find anything too alarming and maybe can repair it during his inspection. We can only hope. The exhaust manifold gasket repair seems to have worked. Still get some exhaust odor in the car, but maybe that is residual from the leak, will get the car pressure washed once that is taken care of and take it from there.

Well, hope all is well in everyone's world and will update my blog again sooner than before. Have a great week all!

Dub

July 22, 2010

Hey all!

My friend Barb, who is also my writing partner has been busy... she got this idea to promote my first book on Facebook and it seems to be generating some interest! People are re-posting her post onto their pages and so on and so on... her idea is to get my book's information to as many people as possible... and I think she's definately on a right track! The hits on my website have jumped tremendously in just one day! Who knows if it will generate sales of the book, but at least it's getting the word out! Great job, Barb!!

Other news...

Progress is steady on the new project...

I met a great new friend who has shown a huge interest in me and what I am doing, and genuinely wants to help me in what I am doing; the writing and more... I guess being at the right place at the right time has finally proved to be something even I can say! More on this as it happens... can't give too much away until I have something more concrete to say about these things...

My cold is almost gone (again)... the voice this week has been really scratchy, annoying as hell, but at least I never got the sore throat this time... am knocking on wood as I type!

Car is running good... still need to install the new parts I have purchased for it, and soon it will be running even better!

Other than that... things are good! Keep checking in for more updates! Thanks for reading my blog! I do appreciate it, as always!

Dub

July Update

Hey all!

Here it is, almost the middle of July and the year is half over. Moving by rather quickly it would seem!

My car is still running quite well since the transmission was replaced. Still need to do some more things to it of course. I purchased a new exhaust manifold which I was told wasn't too hard to do. Will tackle that with Apple, my good bud who loves to help me with the car. Got a new air filter and wiper blades and will also replace the negative battery cable connector. That should be enough for the short term.

The writing project is coming along better than I had been expecting. My partner has really been great at providing good inspiration and motivation, and Sarah, you have been super as well, don't think I don't appreciate you!

Had been planning on moving into a new living situation at the end of the month, but that fell apart, which is fine. For now. It just gives me time to start saving back up until something good comes along again, which will. Things happen.

Pesky cold I got about 3-4 weeks ago just refuses to give up its hold on me. Just when I think it's gone, it says "nuh uh.... not yet!!"

Well, that's about it for now... stay tuned, you never know when something will pop up!!

Dub

YouTube - stevemutt's Channel

YouTube - stevemutt's Channel

Hey Gang!! Here's a test video I made the other week with my new Nikon Coolpix camera! I think the video was much better quality than the duck video made with my phone, or the room tour made with my cheapo video camera, but it's all good!

I may be picking my car up from repairs tomorrow (Wednesday) so hopefully everything went ok!! Will post more on that tomorrow!

Have a good nite!

Dub