Daniel King

My job has me working too many hours to pursue writing (or blogging) at the moment. Expect more time in the winter and hope to get a novel and two short stories into the mail.

I’ve been publishing my own short stories, comics and poetry since I was a child. It’s in my blood or something. When I have something I want to share, I’ll print twenty or fifty or a hundred copies, sell enough to cover the cost and give the rest away. It’s not a hobby, but not a business venture either.

In May, I decided to write stories professionally. Since then, I’ve written the rough draft of a novel that’s been bubbling in my psyche for a couple years, and more books are starting to get their own folders as I write simple plot outlines, character sketches, setting descriptions and miscellaneous notes. I’ll be shopping these around to publishers and agents in the coming months. I’m also working on a short story or two.

Part of the dive is a new look at recent “classic” literature. Writers read, right? I bought “New York Public Library’s Books of the Century” at Barnes & Noble. The editors chose 159 of what they thought were the most significant works of the past hundred years. I plan to read as many of the recommendations as I can. I was surprised both at how many and at how few I’ve already read.

My first purchase was the “Early Works of Edna St. Vincent Millay“, which I absolutely adore. I passed up Marcel Proust for the moment and will likely “cheat” by starting with the graphic novel, hrrmph.

Google just helped me order pizza. I called the toll free number and was greeted by a friendly computer voice. It asked me what city to search in, then what listing I wanted. It repeated the information back to me in its own voice so that I knew it was searching for the right business.

The experimental Google 411 service then immediately gave me listings for the pizza chain I asked for. I just said, “Number one” and it told me more about the listing. I could get more info or it would even connect me to the number. When I said “Go back”, it took me back to the list to choose another listing.

When I call actual 411, I tell the computer what I want, then have to tell the operator again. The person is usually abrupt and unfriendly. Oh, and I have to pay a couple bucks for it. And more if I want to be connected to the number.

With Google 411, it was quick, friendly, and free. I can’t imagine this service remaining free, but for now I’ll help them test out this service and you can too.

Just call: (800) GOOG-411 which numerically translates to (800) 466-4411.

(I didn’t actually order the pizza, but I couldn’t think of anyone else to call.)

Should the end of the world (or some facsimile thereof) not occur, here are seven predictions for 2007:

1. There will be more great movies this year. (In my experience, odd-numbered years always have more great movies.)
2. Terrorism will be underreported in the media.
3. The Democrats will stop playing nice when they realize that playing nicely with President Bush makes him look good.
4. Most new commercial music will continue to suck. The new U2 album may give hope, but will they try too hard?
5. The next (and assumedly last) Harry Potter book will be delayed until at least 2008. (Update: Release date is July 2007 - the first to fall.)
6. No lifeforms smarter than humans will invade from outer space.
7. I will be correct on at least 6 out of 7 of these predictions.

What? Too short? If I stretch too much what chance do I have of being right? (This isn’t meant to be prophecy, just fun.)

As most of you know, I don’t play video games very often, mostly because I don’t usually enjoy them. This game I like, but I always misplace it because I can never remember what it’s called. This morning I had the inkling to play, so I looked on GameHippo (the best place to find freeware games) and found it in the “Board Games” section.

The game is called “Wodan - The Trial” and it’s not very exciting, but it reminds me of Risk. Gameplay centers around capturing your opponents’ territories on a grid, but that’s where the similarity ends. I throw on some music and plan to just sit for an hour or two. It’s like comfort food for my ambient mood.