Love Thy Neighbor

When I discovered Podcasting in 2004 I was immediately hooked. When I discovered Podcast fiction I was addicted. I was in on Scott Sigler's EARTHCORE from the very first episode, and not only have I listened like a good Junkie to every episode of every podcast novel he has so brilliantly spewed forth, I have gone on to become good friends with Scott. I have been fortunate to meet many of the Podcast novelists whose work I admire, including Seth Harwood ("Jack Wakes Up"), Mark Yoshimoto Nemcoff ("Number One With A Bullet", "Shadow Falls", "Diary of a Madman"), Tee Morris ("Morevi") and the inspiration for this blog post: creator of the uber popular "7th Son" Trilogy, J.C. Hutchins.

I first heard of "7th Son" when a promo ran during one of Scott Sigler's podcasts (I can't recall if it was ANCESTOR, INFECTION, or THE ROOKIE - you should listen to them all to check). I listened to all three 7th Son novels and was a fan of J.C.'s clonederful stories when, as fate would have it, he responded to a recruitment ad I posted on Twitter and YouTube. As a result, J.C. and I now work together at Myxer. (You can read more about that here.)

I am truly inspired by the creativity and great work these talented writers put together and offer to the world for free. On many occasions I have dusted off something I have written and contemplated turning it into a podcast novel of my own, but I've never gotten off my procrastinating butt to do so. Until now...

J.C. Hutchins has launched a ground breaking creative project with his "7th Son: Obsidian" series. He has extended the fictional world he created in the 7th Son trilogy by inviting other authors, podcasters and fans to create content based on a particular event in 7th Son - A nationwide blackout. In J.C.'s words: "On November 19, 2007, the U.S. suffered a coordinated terrorist attack, and was plunged into a nationwide blackout. The country devolved into chaos..."

When J.C. introduced his "Obsidian" project it lit a flame deep inside me, and a story started to brew. The sleeping wordsmith in the dark corners of my brain had been awakened. The result is a short story called "LOVE THY NEIGHBOR," which I recorded as my very first attempt at Podcast fiction.

I am honored and delighted that J.C. thought LOVE THY NEIGHBOR was worthy of being a part of his 7th Son Obsidian project. I hope you will listen to it and let me know what you think in the comments below. (P.S. there ARE some of George Carlin's 7 dirty words in LOVE THY NEIGHBOR)

Here is J.C. Hutchins' 7th Son Obsidian presentation of LOVE THY NEIGHBOR

CLICK TO LISTEN TO "LOVE THY NEIGHBOR"

(P.P.S. If you enjoy reading my blog, please subscribe via RSS or EMAIL in the sidebar above)

UPDATE: I am flattered by this great review of LOVE THY NEIGHBOR on the Time Well Wasted blog. Thanks Gemini!

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Apple Update Update...

Like many folks, I spent Friday, July 11th frustrated that I was unable to instantly and seamlessly purchase the iPod Touch software update and enjoy the wonders of the new App Store... but alas, it was not to be. In order to vent my frustrations against a suddenly rotten Apple, I wrote this Haiku:

Apple update day...
My Touch cannot get in touch.
Sometimes life just syncs!

But this story has a happy ending! Today I was able to complete the update and bless my Touch with 2.0. I have loaded it with apps galore and I have reveled in the glory of a Touch worth touching. So today I present a new Haiku:

Touch update complete.
The Apple is now shiny.
Sync-ronicity!

If you have an iPhone or an iPod Touch what was your update experience like? Leave a comment and let me know. Or better yet, leave a HAIKU of your own!

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Thoroughly Modern Millie!

Image via WikipediaAhhh, technology! As a serious "gadget geek" who is old enough to remember when there was no such thing as a personal computer on every desk or lap, I am a firm believer that technology has no age boundaries. When I look at generations older than my own I can see how those "seniors" who embrace technology are invigorated, connected, and live more enriched and enlightened lives. How can they not? How can it not be better in your retirement years to have the world at your fingertips from the comfort of your PC? How can it not be better to spend your golden years just a mouse click away from all the knowledge, places, and people you could ever dream of reading, seeing or reaching out and touching.

STEVE'S MOM'S BLOG...

With that in mind I was thrilled to see popular vlogger Steve Garfield proudly touting his mom's appearance tonight on ABC World News. Seeing popular blogger Millie Garfield, at age 82, talking with passion and enthusiasm about her blog, and Flickr, Twitter, community and "googling" was a delight and perhaps the best imaginable endorsement of blogging and so called social media. No wonder Steve is always plugging "My Mom's Blog." It is great, and so is she.

MAY I HAVE THE ENVELOPE PLEASE...

Seeing this thoroughly modern Millie also made me think of my own Dad, who, at almost 73, is as addicted to his Blackberry as anyone I know and who doesn't go anywhere without his iPod and Laptop. I am also reminded that the more things change, the more they remain the same. When I was in college, my Dad used to send me big Manila envelopes filled with Xerox copies of pages and pages of stupid jokes. Today, he still sends me the stupid jokes... but now it is by email.

So thanks, Dad, for the stupid jokes (and for being a tech savvy senior). And thanks Millie, for being a blogger and an inspiration!

Are the seniors in your life "connected"?

Here is Steve's "behind the scenes" video of his Mom's ABC World News interview.

Click To Play

Museum Piece, Circa 2025

Visitors to the Museum of Modern Art were fascinated to learn that in the year 2008 it was not uncommon for popular Internet services to experience something called "downtime," often represented by cute avatars that are now considered works of art...

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A Golden Couple

Fifty years ago, on June 8, 1958, Evelyn Rapaport and David Sass got hitched! If they hadn't, you wouldn't be here reading these words... and I wouldn't be here at all! I am glad to say they absolutely made the right decision. My parents had a wonderful party in NYC last weekend to celebrate and I am proud to share with you the poem I wrote and read to them:

June 8, 1958 - June 8, 2008

A long, long, LONG, time ago, in 1958...
Two kids got married.. and it turned out to be great.

Far above Cayuga's Waters, is where Evelyn and David met...
And here, 50 years later, they haven't killed each other... yet!

She was at Cornell... He, a student at IC...
They graduated, got married...and the result: Diane and Me...

Our family was small, and nobody was ever far...
In fact, all the NY Sass's could fit in one big car.

There was Oma and Opa, and Grandma and Papa,
(And the tough one was Oma) nobody could stop her...

Grandma, of course, was a sweet Southern Belle...
Her charm and her poise upon Evelyn fell...

Opa was a hard worker, he never retired,
And so my father and I are similarly inspired.

Papa was always in shape, muscles like Chuck Norris...
Wherever he went, everyone loved Morris.

My childhood was great, my Mom's a good cook,
If you don't believe me, just take a good look.

Diane and I had a great childhood, there is nothing to disparage,
And that is a reflection on mom and dad's wonderful marriage!

They are a perfect fit, like ying and yang,
(and after 50 years, I hope there's still an occasional bang!)

So far this poem has been a bit silly and cushy,
But now I am going to get a little bit more mushy.

Because you can't last 50 years not growing apart,
Without tremendous love and deep respect filling both your hearts.

As parents, grandparents and spouses, you are second to none,
Even though I had no choice, I'm extremely proud to be your son.

We are here tonight because both of you are so great,
And its with a great deal of love that we help you celebrate.

So we salute you and thank you, the bride and groom,
For all the joy you've brought to everyone in this room.

Let's make a toast and raise our glass,
To the not so newlyweds, Evelyn and David Sass!

I love you Mom and Dad!

Do The HARD Stuff First! (or, What Are You Going To Blow Up Today?)

Here's some good advice: Do the hard stuff first. Every day.

Hate exercising? Do it in the morning, first thing. Nervous about calling a big account to see if they will re-order? Make them the FIRST call of the day. Have a relationship issue that's been on your mind? Don't sneak out the door with a quick good-bye... Stop, look him or her in the eye and discuss it NOW.

"Procrastination is nothing more than fear of the hard stuff."

Procrastination is nothing more than fear of the hard stuff. Conquer that fear and you WILL get things done. Conquer that fear and you will feel productive, every day, because every day you tackle the hard stuff first is a day you accomplish something important.

Easier said than done!

Doing the hard stuff first IS the hard stuff! I am guilty of being a master procrastinator. But I am trying hard to mend my evil ways, and with some inspiration from reading Tim Ferris' 4-Hour Workweek, I am working hard to pick at least one HARD thing to tackle every day.

Of course, I should have learned this lesson a long time ago. One of the best examples of doing the hard stuff first came when I was making movies, in the late 80's. I actually worked for Troma, the masters of low budget filmmaking. Although we operated on shoe-string budgets (eventually upgrading to Velcro budgets) and we didn't take ourselves (or our films) too seriously, we DID take the business of filmmaking seriously, and I learned many great lessons from Troma founders Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz.

When we made a movie, we always tried to schedule the hard stuff first. On a Troma set, it wasn't uncommon to schedule a complicated stunt or to blow something up on the first day of filming. By tackling something really hard on Day 1 we were ensured to establish a quick bond amongst the cast and crew and create a level of focus and teamwork that set the tone for the rest of the shoot. If we could do THAT (stunt, explosion, etc.) then WE could do anything, and we were ready, willing and able to face the challenges ahead. Bring it on!

So what are you going to blow up today? Go ahead, do the hard stuff first, and let me know how it goes in the comments below. How do YOU conquer the fear of the hard stuff???


Photo: A stunt AND an explosion from TROMA'S WAR (1988).