Author: jspeet

So, I bought a bottle of tequila for 133 Pesos (or $133 as seen on the price tag).  Roughly $7 US.  Don’t know how good it is (I don’t drink tequila), but I figure if you’re in Mexico, you should get at least one bottle (so I did). Wonder if I’ll ever crack it open.  The label reads “100 Anos” (sorry, it doesn’t really say 100 asses, rather I can’t get the squiggly line over the n to say 100 years), Tequila Reposado.

My Spanish is getting quite the workout.  Most places people speak Spanish to me first (I guess I look like a local). Only one place asked me if I wanted to speak English – “No, your accent’s fine” they said – riiiiight.  Feeling a bit like Brad Pitt in Inglorious Bastards as he fakes an Italian accent – Ahriverderchee (said in a fake southern accent).

James Taylor I ain’t, but I am in Mexico.  Youngest adult daughter spawn just wrapped up 10 weeks of studying art in SoCal, so being the great, totally awesome dad that I am, I flew down (hence my ability to get some writing done) to help her drive home (ain’t no way in hell this dad is gonna let an 18 year old girl drive home to Enumclaw, WA, alone).

A couple of weeks prior to flying:

Me: Y’know, I’ve been all over the world, but I’ve never been to Mexico.

Spouse: What are you trying to say?

Me: Can you book me into an Air BNB in Ensenda?

Spouse: Sure

Me (later): We’re going to Mexico!

Spawn 2: Why?

Me: Just because!

So, a quick weekend trip from Oceanside to San Diego with Spawn 2, Cousin, and Cousin’s SO.  Driving through TJ in the dark with three different cell phones giving different directions was quite “interesting” followed by words such as STFU!

Now to explore the Greater Ensenada Metropolitan Area.

 

One good thing about traveling is the opportunity to write.  One bad thing about traveling is the lack of opportunity to write.  I’m currently in Oceanside, CA – it’s about 7 AM (I’ve been grading final exams for the past hour) and about to head down to Ensenda, Mexico. So, what does all this have to do with writing?  On the flight from Seattle to San Diego I was able to crank out about 1200 words – not a lot for the flight length, but more than I’ve managed over the last couple of days.

Will I get any more writing done this weekend?  Not sure.  The plan is to visit Ensenada with my youngest spawn (who is finishing up 10 weeks of intensive art study at the Watts Atelier in Encinitas, CA) and cousin (who just moved to San Diego) for the weekend. Why? Just because.

Just because I’ve never been to Mexico.

Just because I’m this close to Mexico, and the opportunity presents itself.

Just because I’d like to visit a foreign speaking nation other than Canada (eh).

Just because I like to travel.

Just because I enjoy experiencing new things and cultures.

Just because I want a Negra Modelo in Mexico.

Just because.

Life is full of “just because’s” so take advantage of them when you have the opportunity.

Of course, will I be able to write?  Likely not, especially since after spending the weekend in Mexico youngest spawn and I will be driving back to Enumclaw (2200 km).   Just because.

Hey, I made the local paper (p. 3), the Enuclaw Courier-Herald.  Although why reporters continue to refer to me as a geologist (Damnit Jim, I’m a geographer, not a geologist) is beyond me.  C’est la vie – it’s an all too common occurrence (and I truly appreciate the article and Ray is a great guy).

 

It’s hard to get writing in during the holiday season.  I discovered this little gem last year, but it’s hitting even harder this year (last year I didn’t have to worry about marketing a book – that’s an added feature for this year). The good news is that I’ll be flying to SoCal later this week, so that should give me about three hours of uninterrupted time to work on Trekker.

I gave up any writing for this weekend mainly due to the fact that I’ll hardly be in the house – most of yesterday afternoon and evening were taken up by watching the spouse sing in her community chorale, then the chorale supper (aka “Afterglow”) afterwards.  Today will be similar, concert in the afternoon, but the added joy or driving to Seattle for a holiday party (then driving home again, late).

 

Last night was a first – my first ever book launch/book signing event.  Thankfully, Evelyn Nicholas of Sumner’s A Good Book bookstore had some experience/knowledge of this type of event, because I sure didn’t!  I thought I’d be standing around, drinking wine, and telling stories – well, I guess that’s what I wound up doing. But….. it was under controlled circumstances and guided by probing questions from Evelyn and the hordes of fans that arrived (all two of you – just kidding).

I have to say, I was impressed by how many people showed up – from the Dean of one of the colleges I teach at, to the President of the local Transportation Club that I’m a member off, along with a host of friends (mine and my wife’s).

Thanks to all that came out and helped launch Surveyor (and, yes, Clairese, I’ll get back to the keyboard and continue on Trekker).

As a reader, I love going into bookstores. I browse through the Sci-Fi and action section, check out the history stuff, and look for other interesting books (sustainable development, forestry, whatever catches my eye). I usually try to come out with at least one book (or movie – preferably a stooopid movie).

Tonight, Wednesday, Dec. 6th, I’ll be launching the release of Surveyor at a local bookstore – A Good Book in Sumner, WA. If you can make it, great. We start at 7 PM and go to 8:30 PM.  If not, there will be other events, such as book signings, in the future.

If you like to hold a real book in your hand while you read, rather than an e-book, then take a minute to go to your local bookstore and request a copy of Surveyor if it’s not on the shelf.

So far, three real brick and mortar bookstores carry (or will be carrying) Surveyor: A Good Book in Sumner, The Sequel in Enumclaw, and the University Bookstore in Seattle. Please visit the and support a local bookstore/business and an indie author.

Well, I guess I’m kind of stuck right now. I know where the book Trekker is going, but I’m having difficulty moving it along.  Normally I write very linearly and chronological, but I think I’ll have to take a break and move along to a more forward scene to get it cracking.  We’ll see.

In other news, I just did a quick outline for another series in mind (the third – Corps of Discovery is the first, a timeline where the South successfully secedes is the second – and for the Amazon reviewer that didn’t like the libertarian world building of Surveyor, you’re really gonna hate the that world building). This new series will involve time travel involving a sniper that  goes back to the Revolutionary War.  I think this guy’ll be a historian combat vet instead of a recent geography graduate. Lots to do (and insufficient quantities of temporal matter)

Yes, the first official book release and book signing will take place this Wednesday, December 6th, from 7 to 8:30 PM at A Good Book Bookstore at 1014 Main St., Sumner WA.

I hope some of my loyal readers (all two of you) will be able to make it, meet the author (that would be me), get a book signed, have a glass of wine, and hobnob with all three of my friends (if they show up, that is).