Deadpool and Wolverine Movie
![Deadpool and Wolverine Movie Deadpool and Wolverine Movie](images/hlbernabe/cache/images/hlbernabe/proportion/810zZ6ger0L._AC_SL1500__w140_h140/810zZ6ger0L._AC_SL1500__08210331.jpg)
I took my kiddo to see the Deadpool and Wolvering movie, and OMG, were we not disappointed!
Where I Discover I Actually Like Brandon Sanderson
![Where I Discover I Actually Like Brandon Sanderson Where I Discover I Actually Like Brandon Sanderson](images/hlbernabe/cache/images/hlbernabe/proportion/Tress%20of%20the%20Emerald%20Sea_w140_h140/Tress%20of%20the%20Emerald%20Sea_08060144.jpg)
I've hesitated reading his work because of hype and because I DNF'd the first book I ever read of his and couldn't bring myself to try another. But, one book is not representative of an entire body of work, especially when it's the author's debut novel. Authors continue to grow and improve, and I figured I should give him another chance. So I did.
Lesson on Hate From a Trimet Bus Driver
![Lesson on Hate From a Trimet Bus Driver Lesson on Hate From a Trimet Bus Driver](images/hlbernabe/cache/images/hlbernabe/proportion/geekhouse_bus_stop_bench_portland_oregon_5f71daa8-3e5d-488b-ae80-5c29301791c5_2_w140_h140/geekhouse_bus_stop_bench_portland_oregon_5f71daa8-3e5d-488b-ae80-5c29301791c5_2_08020530.png)
I wrote the following blog post in 2012. Sadly, since then it seems we have gone farther backward rather than forward when it comes to race relations in our country. I worry for our future. I'm reposting this, because I think it asks some big questions. Questions that we really should be asking ourselves and each other.
I edited it by adding a couple of [ ] notes for clarity and by using asterisks in language that is offensive.
Contests and Magazine Submissions
![Contests and Magazine Submissions Contests and Magazine Submissions](images/hlbernabe/cache/images/hlbernabe/proportion/This%20is%20(1)_w140_h140/This%20is%20(1)_07290643.png)
I submitted my first "chapter" to the Craft First Chapter 2024 contest!
Writing Prompts
![Writing Prompts Writing Prompts](images/hlbernabe/cache/images/hlbernabe/proportion/The%20Measure_w140_h140/The%20Measure_07041137.jpg)
I read 13 books in June, and in July, I'm just about to finish my third book so far this month. The one I'm about to finish reminds me of a prompt taken to its logical conclusion.
What I'm Currently Reading
![What I'm Currently Reading What I'm Currently Reading](images/hlbernabe/cache/images/hlbernabe/proportion/The%20Starless%20Sea%20audiobook_w140_h140/The%20Starless%20Sea%20audiobook_06030500.jpg)
I'm reading several books at once at the moment. Don't you juggle books, too?
Book Gatekeeping is for the Birds
![Book Gatekeeping is for the Birds Book Gatekeeping is for the Birds](images/hlbernabe/cache/images/hlbernabe/proportion/geekhouse_a_gate_made_out_of_books_300cbf77-6e91-45b3-972e-33475c0a4390_3_w140_h140/geekhouse_a_gate_made_out_of_books_300cbf77-6e91-45b3-972e-33475c0a4390_3_05051105.png)
People who gatekeep books can kiss my oversized buttocks.
Horror Audiobooks and Work Don't Mix
![Horror Audiobooks and Work Don't Mix Horror Audiobooks and Work Don't Mix](images/hlbernabe/cache/images/hlbernabe/proportion/geekhouse_dark_cabin_alone_in_the_woods_on_a_deserted_island__5f474fe5-fd20-4208-a562-a811371707cd_3_w140_h140/geekhouse_dark_cabin_alone_in_the_woods_on_a_deserted_island__5f474fe5-fd20-4208-a562-a811371707cd_3_05050819.png)
I don't recommend listening to a horror audiobook when you work alone. You would think the reason would be self-evident, but this idiot (me—I'm the idiot) did just that...
I Need More Gray Shirts
![I Need More Gray Shirts I Need More Gray Shirts](images/hlbernabe/cache/images/hlbernabe/proportion/20240319_211624_w140_h140/20240319_211624_03240601.jpg)
Cat love means never going without a bit of extra fur on your person.
Damsel Movie Review
![Damsel Movie Review Damsel Movie Review](images/hlbernabe/cache/images/hlbernabe/proportion/Damsel_2024_poster2_w140_h140/Damsel_2024_poster2_03220932.jpg)
The movie Damsel, featuring Millie Bobby Brown as the lead character Elodie, released March 8th on Netflix. It's a hoot!
A Little Serenity
![A Little Serenity A Little Serenity](images/hlbernabe/cache/images/hlbernabe/proportion/neat%20rock%20formations%20in%20colorado_w140_h140/neat%20rock%20formations%20in%20colorado_03040605.jpg)
I originally wrote this post back in July 2013. I was trucking through Colorado, and stopped at a rest area with some really unusual-looking rock formations. Honestly, they looked like so much fun to climb that I really struggled to force myself to get back in the truck. I had a delivery, after all, and couldn't lolly-gag.
My 12-year-old son, when he got to go with me for several weeks of one summer, had a very succinct way of describing trucking after his experience. "It's all go and no stop." I suppose it's more accurate to say it's all go until you have to stop some place completely out of the way with nothing interesting to do for three days.
Anyway, the story is about my struggle between my inner child and my responsible grown-up self.
Inspiration and Ideas
![Inspiration and Ideas Inspiration and Ideas](images/hlbernabe/cache/images/hlbernabe/proportion/geekhouse_a_seedling_growing_out_of_a_human_brain_with_the_leav_692859cf-8d83-4be0-8de0-6793125baa44_w140_h140/geekhouse_a_seedling_growing_out_of_a_human_brain_with_the_leav_692859cf-8d83-4be0-8de0-6793125baa44_03040453.png)
For writing, success = ass in the chair. For inspiration, sometimes it's the same.
When Did I Become a Troglodyte?
![When Did I Become a Troglodyte? When Did I Become a Troglodyte?](images/hlbernabe/cache/images/hlbernabe/proportion/geekhouse_a_conspiracy_theory_cork_board_with_strings_leading_t_59f8f623-e3d5-42cf-877f-47261119eb92_w140_h140/geekhouse_a_conspiracy_theory_cork_board_with_strings_leading_t_59f8f623-e3d5-42cf-877f-47261119eb92_02040545.png)
There is no arguing that computers have made our lives so much better. Yet, I think in some ways, technology has also made our lives harder. If a person (me—that person is me) can't keep up with the changes, it is really easy to fall behind.
24 Hour Writing Contest and Short Stories Are My New Jam
![24 Hour Writing Contest and Short Stories Are My New Jam 24 Hour Writing Contest and Short Stories Are My New Jam](images/hlbernabe/cache/images/hlbernabe/proportion/writing_w140_h140/writing_01180926.jpg)
I participated in a story writing contest over the weekend, and discovered I actually enjoyed writing a short story with a small word count. (Small as in less than 1000 words or less.) What a novel idea! (pun intended)
Capping Off the Year With a Little Inadvertent B&E
![Capping Off the Year With a Little Inadvertent B&E Capping Off the Year With a Little Inadvertent B&E](images/hlbernabe/cache/images/hlbernabe/proportion/New%20blog%20post_w140_h140/New%20blog%20post_01010431.jpg)
Back in 2013, I was a long-haul truck driver. This is the story of how I broke into a big box chain store on New Year's Eve. (Edited for spelling/grammar/clarity.)
Misfits of Carnt Book Series
![Misfits of Carnt Book Series Misfits of Carnt Book Series](images/hlbernabe/cache/images/hlbernabe/proportion/My%20three%20year%20old%20is%20a%20barbarian_w140_h140/My%20three%20year%20old%20is%20a%20barbarian_12140527.jpg)
Check out the Misfits of Carnt series by Aaron Frale. They're humorous fantasy, and a lot of fun! In this blog post, I review the first two books in the series.
From NaNo to NoNo!
![From NaNo to NoNo! From NaNo to NoNo!](images/hlbernabe/cache/images/hlbernabe/proportion/geekhouse_cozy_fantasy_illustration_elderly_halfling_woman_read_8ab46fe7-b0bd-4cd6-9dc1-94f309216b1e_w140_h140/geekhouse_cozy_fantasy_illustration_elderly_halfling_woman_read_8ab46fe7-b0bd-4cd6-9dc1-94f309216b1e_12040721.png)
National Novel Writing Month is over, and I have never been so glad. The last two NaNo’s I managed to win, one of which was by the hair of my teeth. I completed last year’s novel, though it was very, very rough and still needs to be torn apart and re-written, LOL. But at least I got my ideas on the page and wrote something that was very difficult for me to write.
This year, however… This year started off really well. I had an outline and everything. I stumbled on the first night, falling asleep at my computer after only typing 55 words, but I more than made up for it in the following days and weeks. By the end of week two, however, I was in trouble.
Going Silent Until December
![Going Silent Until December Going Silent Until December](images/hlbernabe/cache/images/hlbernabe/proportion/Untitled%20design%20(11)_w140_h140/Untitled%20design%20(11)_10220144.jpg)
NaNoWriMo is right around the corner! I plan on participating, do you?
December Tales II
![December Tales II December Tales II](images/hlbernabe/cache/images/hlbernabe/proportion/Curious%20Blue%20Press%20sale%20announcement_w140_h140/Curious%20Blue%20Press%20sale%20announcement_10090112.jpg)
Progress and NaNoWriMo Plans
![Progress and NaNoWriMo Plans Progress and NaNoWriMo Plans](images/hlbernabe/cache/images/hlbernabe/proportion/NaNoWriMo%20(1)_w140_h140/NaNoWriMo%20(1)_09300829.jpg)
Progress on Cooking Up Magick and plans for NaNoWriMo. Are you participating in National Novel Writing Month this year?