The Fireside

I have set myself a goal, and I'm going to stick with it. I plan to submit my short story Netherworld for a sci-fi / fantasy magazine by the end of October at the latest. As you may well know, I've been working on Kalvel for about a year now, but I realize that my first material written won't be my first material published . So this is my first submission in an attempt to become published. I'll write other things at the same time as Kalvel , but once that boulder gets rolling, it will be my primary creative priority, but not my only one.  I have other ideas I wish to explore, some of which you may get to see before, during or after Kalvel is published. I intend that series to be the biggest and best thing I write, but I also want to explore other ideas before and during. As such, I am guessing Vol.1, A Climb of Chaos , will be published as early as 2016 , and as late as 2020 . So my personal deadline I'd like to shoot for is...

My team, the Ottawa Senators, have been defeated by the Pittsburg Penguins.  The Penguins were possibly the best team in the East going into the playoffs, and I feared if Ottawa should play them. It would have been nice to see Ottawa smack Crosby, Malkin, Cooke, and LeTang around the boards...oh well. Looks like that job will have to go Boston! Now that Ottawa is out, Boston is my team I want to see do well in the playoffs; hopefully taking out Cros- I mean Pittsburg - in the process.  The west looks to be Detroit vs LA.  I'm hoping that the cup final will be between Boston and Detroit, as that would be some good hockey.  Playoff bracket as of posting this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_stanley_cup_playoffs#Playoff_bracket

Nothing new to report, so keeping quiet lately...also been busy. I will most likely do a playoff update post on the weekend (with the compressed season it's harder to blog game-by-game.) . Anyway, there have been a few updates to my Amazon wishlist.

Another book in the 'Wheel of Time' series. Here is my review.  

Another entry to this post:  insurrbution.blogspot.com/2012/09/new-editions-for-wheel-of-time.html  , Book 9 info has now been added.

  From Brandon Sanderson's latest newsletter:

Tonight the Ottawa Senators will face off against the Pittsburg Penguins, led by Crosby and Malkin...both of which we need to take out. Ottawa played very well indeed against Montreal - there were a couple of games and moments where they gave us a run for our money but we prevailed in the end with a 6-1 victory.   Balance is restored to the universe as Boston beat out Toronto. They had a 4-1 lead on Boston and then the bear got angry, winning in OT in game 7. Intense hockey indeed. Boston will now play the Rangers (go Bruins!)   In other news, Chicago will play Detroit (go Red Wings!) and Jan Jose will take on LA (go Sharks!).   Definitely some good games coming up.

  Season 7 of Dexter is now out to buy on DVD and blu-ray.

The Tyrant's Law, the third of five books in Daniel Abraham's fantasy series, The Dagger and the Coin, is now out. I received my copy not last Friday, but the week before. George R.R. Martin's blurb on the first book, The Dragon's Path , reads "Everything I look for in a fantasy". If you're looking to pick up a new series, or waiting for a book to come out, give this one a shot.  The Tyrant's Law includes a preview of the fourth book, currently titled The Widow's House , and that is expected to be released next year. Read more for the prologue, posted by the publisher. Book 1 sample: http://www.orbitbooks.net/the-dragons-path/ Book 2 sample: http://www.orbitbooks.net/the-kings-blood/  

I'm sure I could write more, but that would be impractical for a blog....

I've never attended a 'festival' beyond the musical variety, but I hope to sometime. If not for Bluesfest (I'm not sure when the festival happened previous years) I would probably check out the festival this year. I will do my best to promise two things the year A Climb of Chaos gets released as a book - I will have a table / panel set up at the Ottawa Comic Con signing and selling copies, and likewise at the Osgoode Festival. The Os Fest will have feasts, jousting & fights & weapons on display (check out those who make their own gear...and use it), markets, music, and more.  The festival runs from July 13-14. It is located in Osgoode, ON south of Ottawa. For details check out the official site:  http://www.osgoodemedievalfestival.com/index.html

Wow. Just wow. What a game. Not only did the Ottawa Senators defeat Montreal a second time (game 3) but we destroyed them 6-1. Pageau got a hat trick. It was definitely a great night for Ottawa, made even greater when Ottawa fans were smearing Montreal's 'Ole' song right in their faces. I can't wait for game 4 to see how it will all turn out (or even the end of the first round). Speaking of, curious to see who Ottawa will face in round 2. But let's not jump the gun. With the other teams, Pittsburg is a head which isn't good for Ottawa. The Capitals are head 2-0. Boston and toronto are tied. In the West, the Blues are ahead and so is San Jose. One final hockey note before I end this post. Over the weekend, we celebrated my girlfriend's sister's boyfriend's birthday, and he is a fan of another NHL team. He has some merchandise and got an 'old time' hoodie. This has renewed my interest in hockey gear. Here are some of the S...

Wow. What a start to the Playoff season. The Bruins defeated the Make Me Laughs during their opener, and Ottawa beat Montreal during theirs. The scariest part of the game (for Sens fans) was when Ottawa was down 2-1....and they pulled through 4-2. Both the Toronto - Boston and Ottawa - Montreal games have been great, entertaining hockey all the way through. This is why this sport is loved. These are the Senators I love.