Daniel J. Hogan's Blog

Progress

2009-07-03T16:48:13Z

I mentioned in an eariler post how I’m back on track in regards to working on my latest novel (working title: “Night of the Lonely Werewolf”). I started this novel as part of National Novel Writing Month ‘08 and I did great all through November (hit the 50k word goal in 24 days).

Well, like the Magic of Eyri before it (NaNoWrimo ‘05), it took some time for me to work on it after Novel Writing Month. Problems included the holidays, travel, starting freelance writing, starting the Magic of Eyri podcast and other things in my personal life.

Having finally turned a corner, I’m back on track. I’ve been working the novel every day this week, even if only for twenty minutes or so at a time. At least I’m writing every day. I’m at just under 62,000 words and my goal is 80,000 for the first draft (a fry cry from Magic of Eyri’s 170,000+ words).

The problem with getting back into writing a genre novel (fantasy-horror-detective-steampunk, in my case) after being away from it for so many months is that I kind of forgot some of my ‘rules’ and what my characters were doing the last time I spent time with them.

Being a firm believer in “The First Draft Can Be Crap” philosophy, I tried not worry about that problem and just kept going. Still, it can be challenging–especially when you’re dealing with things like werewolves, magic and pseudo-steampunk technology. If I were just writing memoirs about high school or something, this would be considerably easier.

While kind of breaking one of my first draft rules (don’t read/edit what I wrote), I’ve gone to the beginning of the manuscript and started reading so I can remember what I was doing back in November/December.

I think it’s a good sign that I found quite a bit of it amusing (which is also what I’m going for, I like writing ‘humor’ into my stories). It also helps that I kept notes during the original writing/world building process. Those come in handy.

This draft is far from perfect, but I want a first draft done by Summer’s end (September). After that, start work on the always important second-draft.

I’m just happy to have my inspiration/writing drive back again. The last six months were kind of scary.

Mirrored from Daniel J. Hogan. If something doesn't look right or show up, view the original blog post. Feel free to comment here or on the original post

Feed Problems Fixed

2009-07-01T03:07:45Z

It was brought to my attention today that the RSS feed for the podcast was only showing the last five posts, and not the entire run and in the case of the iTunes Store, only the last three episodes.

Well, after some trouble shooting and hair pulling, I solved the problem (and was glad I did before deleting my FeedBurner feed). I had the settings set to only include the last 5 posts in the syndication feed.

Yeah. I’m a moron.

Anyway, it is set to a much higher number now, so that should not be a problem. My apologies to those that this snafu caused any problems for.

I did the same thing to the feed for my blog. Sadly, I deleted the FeedBurner feed for my blog first, as a sort of test…and only realized afterwards that this wasn’t the problem. Well, I have the FeedBurner feed up again and everything will be fine…I just might have to go back and recode some of the FeedBurner buttons that show my blog subscriber stats.

I’m still very upset with myself for making such a dumb mistake in the first place. Live and learn I guess. And it could have been WAY worse.

Mirrored from Daniel J. Hogan. If something doesn't look right or show up, view the original blog post. Feel free to comment here or on the original post

Results

2009-06-30T23:31:06Z

A few posts back, I mentioned how I picked up an electric timer to help me stay on task when working on projects at home. I’m great at meeting deadlines someone else gives me, but I’m not good at self-imposing them (stuff for school/work/freelance is no problem–I always meet deadlines, but the stuff I do more-or-less for fun takes some serious focus because there isn’t another person telling me to do it).

I gotta say, this is already paying dividends.

Say I’m working on editing a podcast episode. I’ll set the timer for twenty minutes or so, and just work for that period of time and not do anything else (on the flip of the coin that is me, once I get into the zone while working–I don’t stop, so the timer doubles as forcing me to walk away from the computer for a bit).

9 times out of 10, I’ll reset the timer for another twenty minutes (give or take) and keep working, which is great. But other times I’ll work for the allotted time, do something else for a few (see: wasting time on the Internet), and then get back at it.

It is really helping with getting me back on track with novel writing. I’ll say to myself, “Your Royal Awesomeness Self, you’re going to write for twenty minutes and I don’t care if it is genius or crap.” (it is mostly the latter). To wit, I’ve written more this week than I have in the past few months. Huzzah.

I kind of fell off the creative horse a bit since the New Year while going through a bit of a rough patch in my personal life, but I think I’m back in the saddle (at last). Yoga has helped with that too.

Speaking of yoga, I’ve only been doing it for only a few weeks and I’ve been seeing results from the get-go. I really started seeing the benefits of yoga when I began doing it in the morning right after getting out of bed (so I’ve been doing it at least once a day, but usually twice a day during the work-week).

It wakes me up and energizes me. I’m also way more toned than…probably ever…and I’m actually developing upper body strength. And I recently dropped down to 140 lbs*. (what my doc says I should be at for my height), having been at around 160ish a few months ago. I think the biggest thing I take away from doing regular yoga is getting used to the breathing exercises, which help with stress a great deal and help me settle down after staring at a computer screen for hours on end.

And being swimsuit season, I sure picked a good time to drop twenty pounds.

*now staying AT 140 is the real trick, as I will go up and down a couple pounds daily, but I wasn’t able to get any where close to that for the longest time before starting the yoga stuff. I do other exercise besides yoga and I try to stick to a ‘lots of fruits and veggies and not too much meat’ diet.

Mirrored from Daniel J. Hogan. If something doesn't look right or show up, view the original blog post. Feel free to comment here or on the original post

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Review

2009-06-29T23:37:53Z

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen goes into that category of films that I go to see with zero expectations. I’ve found that it just makes for a (slightly) better experience. Watchmen was another recent addition to that category.

To set things straight, I disliked the first film. A lot. Why would I go see the sequel even though I didn’t like the first? Because, I enjoy seeing action films such as this (crappy or not) on the big screen. Even though I can’t stand Michael Bay films, I’ll confess they are usually worth checking out (at least once) on the big screen.

I won’t waste time with fan-boy nitpicking about how this movie and the first were nothing like the show–because that isn’t the point with these films. When you’re taking a 25+ year old children’s cartoon show designed to sell toys and trying to adapt it to a mass audience film, some stuff just ain’t gonna work. Even more so when you take it from a cartoon to live action.

However, I died a little on the inside when Optimus Prime said “My bad” in the first film.

Thankfully, this film actually featured the Transformers for more than what felt like twenty minutes in the first. My feelings about the first film are brilliantly summed up in this comic.

But, I’m still not a fan of the character design for the Transformers. Not that ILM didn’t do a great job with the animation, I just don’t like the busy/cluttered design of the robots. I had heard that ILM’s idea was to make it look as if all the parts from the vehicles fit into their robot bodies, but I don’t like it. I also have a hard time telling who is who–especially with the Decepticons (Megatron and Starscream are nearly identical).

I also don’t like the ‘human focus’ of the films. But, I did like the idea of humans and Autobots teaming up to hunt Decepticons, that was pretty neat (and made for a pseudo G.I. Joe/Transformers cross-over element).

I could have done with WAY less of the human stuff, it just dragged things out. But some of the new characters were fun (Jetfire), and some where down right horrible (the Twins). I don’t need to go into details about how bad the Twins were, just read this write up on the whole thing on /Film.

One of the saving graces of this film was John Turturro, who is one of my fav actors—which was the case for the first film. He’s so great. The other saving points were the inclusion of Soundwave and Ravage–two of my favorites from the show and voiced once again by Frank Welker. Lastly, Starscream (another favorite) finally became interesting and had some great back and forth moments with Megatron, which was a fixture of the original show.

This film defines brainless action–which, hey I have nothing against in general (Commando is one of my favorite movies), but I’m just not a fan of Michael Bay’s directing style, or the focus on the very boring human characters.

And the character of the Fallen, while cool in concept (I enjoy Transformer history as much as the next geek) didn’t really come across as that interesting.

So if you enjoy brainless action, and for some reason enjoyed the first Transformers, check this out…but maybe for a matinee.

Mirrored from Daniel J. Hogan. If something doesn't look right or show up, view the original blog post. Feel free to comment here or on the original post

Daily Twitter Updates

2009-06-29T12:04:26Z

Twitter Nonsense

Working on a freelance article on my balcony, cup of coffee in hand. I love summer.
Yeah, Transformers was as bad as expected-if not worse. Still hate the character designs: too busy and can't tell some apart.
My local Kroger supermarket sells copies of the Watchmen graphic novel. I don't know how to feel about that.
At last, done with my latest freelance article. Huzzah. Off to the Edi-Tor.
Just started watching Californication and I gotta say, I like it a lot.
I'm sorry about the 'bug-eye' thing. I'll be in my office.

Transcribed by monkeys on MacBooks at LoudTwitter
Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/danieljhogan

Daily Twitter Updates

2009-06-28T12:03:33Z

Twitter Nonsense

twitpic.com/8kkuk - Flier for our band's show last monday, found in east lansing.
"cricket? You gotta know what a crumpet is before you can play cricket!"
Debating time travel with friends. I am not making this up.

Transcribed by monkeys on MacBooks at LoudTwitter
Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/danieljhogan

Daily Twitter Updates

2009-06-27T12:04:28Z

Twitter Nonsense

Forgot my iBook's charger at home. Swell.
Google Maps' Street View adds a whole new level to vacation planning.
twitpic.com/8gyz7 - Why I want a bento style lunchbox.
Isles take John Tavares first overall, now we get to see if he's the next Alexandre Daigle: bit.ly/MbCQG
"I'm tired of these monkey-bitin snakes, on this monday-to-friday plane!"

Transcribed by monkeys on MacBooks at LoudTwitter
Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/danieljhogan

Daily Twitter Updates

2009-06-26T12:04:20Z

Twitter Nonsense

just downloaded Snaptu for my Rant. I really like it. recommend it for my fellow non-smart phone owners.
Stuck at work, otherwise I'd be home listening to Dont Stop Til You Get Enough at half-mast.
Thinking of getting some kind of bento style lunchbox. something flat and not too big.
Got my replacement disc of Burn Notice season 2 from Netflix today. Huzzah. Where's my Hawaiian shirt?
changed my WordPress theme: danieljhogan.com/home/ and I even figured out some php code on my own!

Transcribed by monkeys on MacBooks at LoudTwitter
Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/danieljhogan

Daily Twitter Updates

2009-06-25T12:04:40Z

Twitter Nonsense

I really notice it when I don't do yoga in the morning (yesterday) vs. days I do (today). Much more alert today.
Just got some great news regarding some (very) short fiction of mine. Don't know yet if I can talk about it, but details later.
Ok, here's the good news: a flash fiction piece I wrote will be included an in an upcoming H.P. Lovecraft-themed anthology. Will blog later
Played soccer. Scored two goals. Awesome.
Holy cats, I reached my goal weight: 140 (down from 160ish). Guessing the running around at soccer helped.
latest blog, with details of my flash fiction piece in that Lovecraft anthology: bit.ly/Cl2mM
A story is getting published. Scored two goals at soccer. Hit my goal weight. And I didn't have to use my AK. I Gotta say it was a good day.

Transcribed by monkeys on MacBooks at LoudTwitter
Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/danieljhogan

Love-ly News

2009-06-25T03:21:18Z

I found out today that I was one of the winners of the Tales Out of Miskatonic University contest!

The contest was to write a short piece about a character reminiscing of their days at Miskatonic University, a fictional university that is mentioned in the works of horror writer, H.P. Lovecraft.

Winners of the contest will have their stories included in the Tales Out of Miskatonic University anthology (edited by William Jones, who also set up the contest). The anthology is a collection of stories that take place at MU and are written by present day writers.

I’m not getting paid for this, but I get a writing credit–and that’s fine by me, it was a flash fiction piece (a very, very short story–mine was around 330 words), so it isn’t like I wrote an epic novel. Because, now when I send out other manuscripts I can list that in my cover letter (as well as put it on the ol’ resume).

While I can’t put up the actual story online, I can say what it is about–I went with a bit of a different direction, making it more humorous and satirical. The narrator (this is a first person point of view) talks about being awarded a track scholarship to MU and is a background character for lots of wacky stuff going on around campus.

Lots of Lovecraft stories deal with characters finding some kind of ‘forbidden knowledge’ or science gone wrong or beings from other dimensions. My narrator isn’t directly involved in any of that, but his (ever changing) roommates are.

Think Death Star construction workers. Something like that.

I don’t know yet when Tales Out of Miskatonic University will be released, but I’ll do a post once I find out. And better still, I think it might be available at bookstores.

I’m excited!

Mirrored from Daniel J. Hogan. If something doesn't look right or show up, view the original blog post. Feel free to comment here or on the original post

Daily Twitter Updates

2009-06-24T12:04:11Z

Twitter Nonsense

Watching Barbarella. This movie puts the W in WTF.
Thanks to everyone who came out to our show last night, it was a good time.
Can anyone recommend a twitter #app for a Samsung #Rant other than TinyTwitter?
Returned Barbarella to Netflix today, hoping to (finally) get disc 1 of s.2 of Burn Notice this week (got lost in the mail last week).
Young professional networking event at Lansing Country Club at 6 tonight. I will try not to quote Caddyshack TOO much. #lovelansing
Networking at Country Club of Lansing was nice--great food, but no way I can afford to be a member, even with their lower rates.
Idea for sitcom: "True Blood" meets "The Office" and call it "That's What She Bled."
blog about our gig last night: bit.ly/XOUil

Transcribed by monkeys on MacBooks at LoudTwitter
Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/danieljhogan

A Long Way to the Top

2009-06-24T03:17:00Z

Last night our band, Shanghai Butchers, had a gig at Macs Bar here in Lansing. They’ve played there before, but not with me as drummer (I’ve only been with the band “officially” since November or December 2008 and have only been playing drums since October).

We opened for Portland punk rock band, Vampire Lezbos. They are on tour at the moment and stopped at Macs to do a gig. Thankfully, we were contacted about opening for them, because I was excited about doing the gig. Macs is a fun place and I think it is pretty neat to have played a show there.

We did a quick set run through at our practice place and loaded up for Macs, which thankfully was only just down the road. Seeing our name on the sign out front was pretty dang neat, I gotta admit. (click on photos to see bigger versions)

Unloading and set up went smoothly, and we met the guys from Vampire Lezbos.

Due to a snafu, we were told that we’d either be one of two bands playing (the other being Vampire Lezbos)…or one of four. But, it ended up just being the two of us, which was good because the crowd was sparse (but remember, it was a Monday night and MSU isn’t in session).

Our set went OK. Brian had some issues with his guitar strap coming undone mid-song, and during one song it even pulled his cord out–resulting in some funky feedback as he tried to get it back in (amusingly, a few in the audience thought it was part of the song…)

I think I did alright, all things considered. I messed up a few times, but nothing major. I was dying under the stage lights though, and sweating like crazy–it was hot in Macs to begin with (I think it was nearly 90 outside all day), and the lights didn’t help matters. But between the heat and the drumming, I’m sure I worked off my pre-performance pint of Guinness.

Our set was six songs and after that we quickly tore down so the Vampire Lezbos guys could get ready. We dashed back to Jon’s (bass) to drop off our gear and then returned to Macs to catch the latter half of Vampire Lezbos’ set–and I’m glad we did, they were great. I even bought their album.

I told the guys we need to work on their between song banter/song intros a bit…or just get me a microphone. I think the latter option is the favorite for the moment.

While not a perfect performance on our part, it was still a great experience and I hope the first of more to come. Thanks to everyone who came out.

See more gig photos here.

Mirrored from Daniel J. Hogan. If something doesn't look right or show up, view the original blog post. Feel free to comment here or on the original post

Daily Twitter Updates

2009-06-23T12:05:27Z

Twitter Nonsense

Our band, Shanghai Butchers, has a gig tonight. Macs Bar, 9PM, $5. Opening for Vampire Lezbos. macsbar.com Be there!
Buying Emergency Reserve drumsticks at Marshall Music for our gig tonight at Macs #lovelansing
Hoping the iced green tea i got at Panera is real tea and not tea-flavored High Fructose Corn Syrup.
Seeing your band's name (Shanghai Butchers) on the sign outside Macs? Awesome. Come to our show at 9 pm. $5. #lovelansing
If you're coming to our show at Macs, we're on first (9ish).
twitpic.com/85b35 - Our name in lights (shanghai butchers). we play first. 9 pm Macs Bar $5
Survived our set, now enjoying Vampire Lezbos. These guys rock.

Transcribed by monkeys on MacBooks at LoudTwitter
Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/danieljhogan

Daily Twitter Updates

2009-06-22T12:03:44Z

Twitter Nonsense

Happy Father's Day, Dad!
#Podcast episode 006 (The City of Flame) is online: bit.ly/WVSmi
Left over pad thai for dinner before band practice. As a drummer, I need those carbs to burn.
Haven't dropped a stick in weeks, night before our gig at Macs and I drop one during almost every song at practice. Swell.
twitpic.com/828ck - The Right Hand of Doom.
twitpic.com/828ck - Yes, it is. The blood of all the ear drums I have slaughtered.
Our gig tomorrow is one month from my 28th birthday. If I explode on stage, I can join the 27 Club en.wikipedia.org/wiki/27_club
latest blog: bit.ly/1I0KC3

Transcribed by monkeys on MacBooks at LoudTwitter
Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/danieljhogan

Ticking Away

2009-06-22T02:50:23Z

Why is it always that things you think will be simple, end up being the most difficult?

Case in point: for the past few weeks, I’ve been on the search for a battery powered electric timer. I’m trying to get better at my time management skills (when I’m home and just goofing around on the computer), so borrowing a tactic I picked up from a co-panelist (Mary Robinette Kowal) at PenguiCon last month, I decided to invest in a timer to give me some kind of boundaries.

I’m very much a person that thrives with deadlines, due dates and challenges. So, when I have none of those, my mind wanders. A perfect example of this is National Novel Writing Month. I can write 50,000+ words in 25 days while I’m on deadline, but good luck getting me to finish a manuscript on my own after that. Seriously, I hate it.

So, the idea with the timer is I set it for say 20 minutes and force myself to work on (whatever) for that time, or set it and say “I can goof off on the Internet for this long, after that, back to work.”

A great concept. Well, getting the device itself proved to be quite the task.

I wanted a timer with Hours and Minutes, because I’ll have situations where I have a hour or more of ‘free time’ and need to stay on task (say, before band practice). I had a heck of a time even finding a place that had timers with Hours. At last I found what a thought was one of these, but after I got home I realized it was Minutes and Seconds. D’oh. Returned.

Then, I finally found one that had Hours and Minutes. Got home, tried it out and the screen was screwed up (which I couldn’t figure out until actually using it). Returned.

I know what you’re thinking, “Why not use your oven timer or set an alarm on your cell phone?” A) the oven time isn’t portable B) I like seeing the countdown and also not having to do the math in regards to what time it is when setting an alarm.

After returning the second timer, I at last found one–and I’m using it right now. I have five minutes to go to get this post up, so I think I’ll end here.

Mirrored from Daniel J. Hogan. If something doesn't look right or show up, view the original blog post. Feel free to comment here or on the original post

Daily Twitter Updates

2009-06-21T12:03:33Z

Twitter Nonsense

Happy Birthday Mom!
Weird Errands Theater Presents: Buying a Dog Training Clicker at the Pet Store To Use For Podcast Recording
Dinner fortune cookie: "You will bring sunshine into someone's life."
Watching my mother use Facebook is an eerie sight.
upgraded to a data plan on my phone today (only cuz I get a 15% discount). Don't know how sold I am on the whole idea yet.
twitpic.com/7z85w - Mom's birthday cake

Transcribed by monkeys on MacBooks at LoudTwitter
Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/danieljhogan

Daily Twitter Updates

2009-06-20T12:03:44Z

Twitter Nonsense

Forgot my lunch. I'm ready for this week to be over.
Only problem with getting rid of my beard is now I have to update all my online avatars. Oh well.
Joining @minij and others for lunch at Soup to Nutz at noon. Come join us if you want.
Had lunch at Soup to Nutz for the first time. Great food, will go again #lovelansing
I think picking a new WordPress theme is one of my least favorite web-design things ever.
Sloppy joe, sloppy sloppy joe, sloppy joe, sloppy sloppy joe, sloppy joe, sloppy sloppy joe.
This rain is bananas.
I submitted two short stories to two different fiction websites this week, crossing my fingers but expecting more rejection emails soon.
latest blog: bit.ly/15O5jn
a farewell tribute to The Beard.
Who gets up before 7:30 on a Saturday? This guy (stuff to do).

Transcribed by monkeys on MacBooks at LoudTwitter
Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/danieljhogan

Good-Bye Old Friend

2009-06-20T03:25:42Z

I shaved off my beard last night.

It was time for a change. I had this beard since November. It started as me forgetting my razor when going to Detroit for Thanksgiving, and under the encouragement of my girlfriend at the time, I kept growing it out (as she was the first girlfriend who actually liked it when I didn’t shave). The first few weeks were tough, as I was at the in between stages: more than just a day or so’s scruff, but not yet a full beard. It wasn’t pretty.

But, soldiering on, things started to turn around. One day I realized I finally didn’t look that bad, as things at last started to fill in a bit. I had thoughts of getting rid of it sooner, but with the NHL playoffs starting and the Red Wings going all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals, I had to keep it.

Now that the playoffs are over, I decided I needed to shake things up a bit. Reasons included me still being unsure I looked that good with it, the warmer weather and not being with the person I grew it for in the first place any more.

Even though I enjoyed not having to shave every day (I hate shaving), I was getting tired of beard maintenance and the increasing heat was a big factor too. The problem now though, is that I’m already missing it. I’ve become so accustomed to it, that seeing my chin and face for the first time since November is down-right weird.

I’ll get used to it though. I certainly look younger without it, which is nice. But on the flip side, I did like that ’sophisticated’ look the beard gave me (according to some).

So long old friend, it was fun while it lasted. Who knows? Maybe we’ll have a reunion during my next camping trip.

Mirrored from Daniel J. Hogan. If something doesn't look right or show up, view the original blog post. Feel free to comment here or on the original post

Daily Twitter Updates

2009-06-19T12:04:41Z

Twitter Nonsense

I wonder if those bumper stickers bashing those who buy import cars are made in China. I hope they are. That'd be funny.
My lost disc of Burn Notice s.2 made it back to Netflix somehow, apparently someone mailed it back. Now I have to try and get disc 1 again.
I might try taking the bus into work tomorrow.
I think I'll stick with doing a more intense yoga work-out in the morning, that seemed to help wake me up and keep me going today.
Pre-band practice dinner with Ian (guitar) at Hong Kong resturant in Frandor. Yummy.
I'm sure I drummed off all that rice i had with dinner at practice tonight. Gotta get ready for our gig at Macs on Monday night.
The beard is gone. It was time for a change. Sorry ladies, you'll have to just love me for me now. There might be a reunion this fall tho.
latest blog: National Coney Island coming to East Lansing? bit.ly/O26tA

Transcribed by monkeys on MacBooks at LoudTwitter
Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/danieljhogan

Please Let This Be True

2009-06-19T03:17:39Z

I was strolling down the street in East Lansing the other evening and when walking past the old Taco Bell building, I spotted this harbinger of joy on the front window:

Please let this be true. As a suburban Detroit native, I grew up eating at National Coney Island restaurants. Things got even better when the big 24 hour place went up in Roseville, granting my high school cronies and I great place to hang out. Then one opened up minutes from my parents’ place and things got even better.

I suffered without my beloved National for too long while on the West side of the State during my Grand Valley State days. It was a sad state of affairs.

Thankfully, Lansing has its fair share of excellent chili dog places, so I have not suffered here. But as good as they are, they still aren’t the same as National. There was always something special about National, even the small place they had at Lansing Mall in the old food court (don’t know if they still have one, I doubt it).

When I was younger and still drank pop, I would always order a Coke in a styrofoam cup go wash down my chili dogs. Coke always tasted better in their styrofoam cups for some reason. Can’t explain it.

This reminds me, I need to stop at a National next time I’m back in the D. It has been too long. I’ll break my pseudo-diet and get a chili dog. Mmmm. Chili dog.

Mirrored from Daniel J. Hogan. If something doesn't look right or show up, view the original blog post. Feel free to comment here or on the original post

Daily Twitter Updates

2009-06-18T12:04:50Z

Twitter Nonsense

"My two favorite things are commitment and changing myself."
Left my copy of Gentlemen of the Road at home. Drat, no lunch break reading for me today.
Just got confirmation that our band has a gig this coming Monday at Mac's Bar. Phew, now I can relax.
No s.2 of Burn Notice from Netflix for me: all that was in my mail box was the removable address label and no dvd sleeve or disc :(
details about our band's gig on Monday at Macs Bar danieljhogan.com/home/2009/06/17/band-gig-at-macs-bar-this-monday/ #lovelansing

Transcribed by monkeys on MacBooks at LoudTwitter
Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/danieljhogan

Band Gig at Macs Bar This Monday

2009-06-17T22:40:59Z

Our band, Shanghai Butchers, has our first show at the famous (to some, infamous) Macs Bar, June 22nd (Monday) at 9 PM. Cover is $5 and we’re opening for Portland punk band, Vampire Lezbos. We’ll also be joined by Tahquamenon Falls. This is an 18 and up show.

For those that don’t know, I play drums in the band. This is our first gig at Macs with me behind the drums and our first gig at an actual venue ’round Lansing (our first being at a charity event in Grand Ledge last month). Enjoy the lameo online flier I made.

Mirrored from Daniel J. Hogan. If something doesn't look right or show up, view the original blog post. Feel free to comment here or on the original post

Daily Twitter Updates

2009-06-17T12:04:14Z

Twitter Nonsense

I think I need to listen to Slayer's Reign in Blood tonight. It has been too long.
It should be legal to slap adults in public who don't know the "lefty-loosy, righty-tighty" rule.
I visited the koi pond at LCC yesterday and they all seemed heart broken when I did not throw food in the water.
koi ahoi! www.flickr.com/photos/danieljhogan/3633626606/
latest blog: bit.ly/2g6DwL
updating the various 'about' and 'character' pages for magicofeyri.com
lots of Magic of Eyri updates: bit.ly/IMTnt
Great. My Nyko Wii Remote charger isn't working any more. And I had it for a little over a year. Ugh.

Transcribed by monkeys on MacBooks at LoudTwitter
Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/danieljhogan

Magic of Eyri Site Updates

2009-06-17T02:59:02Z

Updated a bunch of info over at http://magicofeyri.com. Read all about it here. More background info on people, places and things from the podcast (and novel). Enjoy.

Mirrored from Daniel J. Hogan. If something doesn't look right or show up, view the original blog post. Feel free to comment here or on the original post

BWL Chili Cook Off

2009-06-16T21:06:35Z

A couple Fridays back I attended Lansing’s downtown Chili Cook Off, but on by the Board of Water and Light (the local utility folks). This has been going on for some time but after living in Lansing for four years (wow), this was my first outing.

My only experience with chili cook offs is via the Simpsons episode Homer ingests a freakish chili pepper and has various hallucinations.

Needless to say, I had high hopes for this cook off.

Upon arriving (with a pair of friends in tow), I was thankful I had purchased my ticket in advance–not only did it save me $3, I got to go to the front of the entrance line instead of waiting for a spell, like my friends had to. This was where I first spotted the muffin trays that almost everyone seemed to have.

This sight intrigued me, as that was something totally unexpected (not unlike the Spanish Inquisition). I later found out what the tins were for–stacking multiple cups of chili at once so you could enjoy them at your leisure. A novel concept. I imagine too that you could probably have chili poured in the tray itself if you wanted, to save on waste…but I didn’t really see that happening.

While waiting for my friends to work their way through the line, I enjoyed a couple of chilies. They were quite tasty. After linking up with my pals, we surveyed the mass of people and decided to just pick a spot and start. We had all kinds of chili: cheesy chili, chili made with coffee and even chili made with chocolate.

One chili had a rather amusing name

After enjoying a bunch of chili (as well as a Melting Moments ice cream sandwich for myself), one of our party decided to ride the mechanical bull featured at the cook off.

This was free and it was a riot, watching people of all ages try to tame mechanical beast. Our friends did pretty well, but was eventually tossed.

The crowd was more than I expected and the dueling music stages seemed to take a bit of the focus away (as well as cut down on places to sit, etc), however I had a great time and I’m looking forward to next year.

Mirrored from Daniel J. Hogan. If something doesn't look right or show up, view the original blog post. Feel free to comment here or on the original post