September 2025 News

Happy Labor Day to my fellow USians. Labor Day never made sense to me because labor is the one thing most everyone’s not doing today. The holiday naming convention dropped the ball.

Also wife and I were born this month so here’s a pic we totally didn’t pose for. I’m serious, we thought the stranger standing 3 feet away with a camera was focused on that tree back there.

This is the face she makes every time I talk in great detail about the inconsistency in numbering conventions of early Final Fantasy games in the US versus Japan, particularly for Final Fantasy IV and VI.

Happy early birthday! How can I show my love and appreciation?

Buy my book, VIOLENCE & VIGILANCE from Amason.com and give it an honest 5-star review today whether or not you read it.

Speaking of,

Writing - V&V2

Two months ago I reported that writing stopped due to the day job being its busiest in the height of summer. Well we’re back at it and progress has resumed. There’s still no end in sight because I doubt there’s a single chapter out of about 50 that I’m content with. They all need more love. Luckily I have infinite love, contrary to what my dirty, lying enemies will tell you. They’re all just jealous. Of my love.

I mentioned the Silexare Compendium last time as well. I’m still into the idea, but I want some recent V&V art before I venture down that road and art costs money.

Not if you get AI to make it.

That’s not art.

Lake Hartwell Kayak (day job)

Ain’t nothin new here. Just slinging yaks on the greatest lake in the southeast.

Special thanks to Reed Oliver for this photo session. Look at his Instagram. He’s a wizard.

Podcast - Beardsmen of the Bookpocalypse

"And my axe," AC Cross

It’s always a good time kicking it with the boys of varying beardiness and our guests and it does not happen often enough! Streams / uploads since last time include:

Aug 29th with Ren Hutchings - This talk got liminal! Ren has two books releasing in September and THE LEGEND LIMINAL, found-family road trip that goes interdimensional, totally has my attention.

Aug 1st with AC Cross - this was an RPG session featuring a post-apocalytpic demolition derby. It was just as chaotic as you might expect and then some. 🐎💥

Jul 19th with Douglas Lumsden - He’s the author of the Alex Southerland P.I. fantasy noir books, which opens with A TROLL WALKS INTO A BAR. This was a long and fun talk!

Jul 5th with Nick Snape - 20th EPISODE STREAM! Nick has written a ton of books including a complete, 8-book sci-fi series called WEAPONS OF CHOICE.

Subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss future posts!

Piano Tuning

I’m going to start tuning pianos for winter money, I decided. It’s a dying art apparently and dragging things back from the edge of death and resuscitating them with my mouth is one of my favorite pastimes. As of this moment I’ve tuned three pianos, which is roughly 15 hours of experience in my case. I foresee that ratio improving with time and experience.

Stay (in) tuned for more riveting updates about this endeavor.

The phone I use as a tuner took this picture so while yes, it’s entirely staged, I did then tune the piano.

Next, next Month

Still haven’t amended that closing tag I see. Color me surprised.

No. I haven’t, smart ass. Thanks for pointing it out. By all means, stick around and point out more things for me. I seem to have misplaced my eyes. And my brain.

I’d never have guessed it. Seems you also haven’t figured out how to end these posts unless “arguing with my imagination” is your new sales strategy.

Keep it up. One day I’m going to get some pills from a doc and you’ll be toast. We’ll see who’s laughing then, figment.

Joke’s on you. I’m the real one. You’re the figment.

Then I’ll take them all at once and see you in hell.

dtl