Friday, December 26, 2014

Year End Clearance Blog 2014


Did anyone have a good year?  A show of hands, please.  Yeah, I thought so.  I knew I couldn’t be the only one who wants to drive a stake through the heart of 2014.

It was bleak and depressing, with a lot of in-your-face violence and death — it was a goddamned Lars Von Trier movie! — much of which has been politicized to further divide a country already at each others' throats.  There’s been a lot of loss, a lot of fear and anxiety.  There have been some good things, too, of course.  Landing a probe on a comet was pretty damned spectacular.  But somehow, I don’t think it’s the kind of year that will be remembered for its positives.  I wouldn’t be a bit surprised to turn on the TV shortly before midnight on New Year’s Eve to see a bloated and rotting Guy Lombardo leading his cadaverous orchestra in “Auld Lang Syne” — it’s just been that kind of year.

After a year of severe GI problems in 2013, I had a couple of good months, then the symptoms returned and worsened.  It has disrupted every aspect of my life, especially my ability to work.  This means that I am still behind in all the things I was behind in before.  My doctor has been ordering tests, which, so far, have shown nothing abnormal.  An ultrasound and CT scan showed nothing abnormal, and I'm waiting for the result of some blood work. 


If you’re waiting for POKER NIGHT, I hope you can be just a little more patient.  I’m working on it, but I’m working sporadically and slowly.  The end is near.  I’m very grateful for the patience of those waiting for the book, especially Zach Powell of KWP, who has been so generous.

Hey, it could be worse.  I could be Bill Cosby.

This is going to be a short blog post, but I want you to continue it in the comments, and I’ll join you there.  Tell me about the best movies you saw and books you read this year.  What movies or books were big disappointments?  Discuss!

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and I’m sure we’re all hoping for improvements in 2015.