Ending of Midnight Sky - George Clooney, Felicity Jones

Here's another movie that needs explaining. Why Clooney, why? I wanted to love this movie as much as Interstellar but it's far too cryptic to get the first time around. I hate when that happens, especially when there are so many opportunities to show and tell during so many great scenes. 

Again, this is one of those films, especially with its opening where audiences fail to connect with these characters because of a lack of better scenes that clearly and emotionally reveal what's going on before the film gets going. All the moving parts are there but without an emotional connection at the outset, most of the film seems meaningless. See for yourself.

New 2021 Millennium Game Box

So here's an old design I was kicking around years ago and I think I'm finally going to use it if I can get The Game Crafter to print it with Spot Gloss like they do for the game boards. I recently got one of their prototypes and the board was really nice with spot gloss (not optional on their website) so I asked them if they can print my cover that way. Hopefully, they can, and if so I'll try it out with this design.

As much as I liked the cover with Andrea and Apollo with a 1930s background, I think that's a bit too scene-specific (ok for cards) as opposed to a genre-specific image so that good design after 2 years is out. Go figure. Sometimes you have to get over your own designs.

I love black boxes and so I think this is a better way to go for now. It's a very striking look that could work. Right now I'm deep into fixing my playing cards for the most part because some of the text is way too small to read so I'll have to make a few changes.

I plan to have this new box ready to promote next November after I get several (good) reviews and so on. I'm also trying to finish Warpd! so I can get it out there too.

I'm shifting into high gear with all my board games because let's face it, I'm not getting any younger so it's time to make some final decisions and roll the dice.

Yeah, life is a gamble after all.

 

The Apocalypse is Upon Us [Behold, The World After 11/3/2020]

I present to you, The Danish National Symphony Orchestra with their score of Taxi Driver (A Night Piece). 

Enjoy the dichotomy of its peaceful sound and its daring riffs. 

Behold, people. The flashpoint that ignites the apocalypse is soon upon us. 

Stay calm and stay safe.

Enjoy the music.

Peace out.

New Post-Apocalyptic Board Games, Movies & Books

 

Here's an unfinished preview of a promotional video for Millennium. I still have quite a bit to add to it, mainly game-play snippets and an upbeat score to finish. I want to keep it under 2 minutes if possible. 

This video is primarily a short introduction so players get a feel and tone of the game so following these instructions, I'll feature players demonstrating several moves for starting the game.

Post-Apocalyptic Board Game Millennium And New York's Freedom Tower Live On

Freedom Tower New York City 2020

September 11, 2001, is certainly a date to remember for many reasons. It's hard to believe that it's been almost 20 years since that event took place and gripped our nation in the unknown.

I had just retired that same year and moved to Florida like many people from the Northeast, trying to get away from the cold and the snow. I sure miss spending Christmas in New York and New Jersey.

But life goes on and here we are in the midst of a pandemic. Not exactly a surprise but nevertheless, a blow to the economy in so many ways.

It's great to see that New York City's Freedom Tower has stood the test of time and stands tall and proud alongside the former Twin Tower footprints; a destination on my bucket list for sure.

Today also marks the date I had set to launch my new board game, Millennium. September 11, 2001, is an important date for the board game because it serves as a backdrop to the Millennium landscape, which references September 11, 2001, as the catalyst for change in America. As it turns out, COVID-19 in the year 2020 is another flashpoint that certainly has shades of an impending apocalypse; not to mention the chaos the coming presidential election in November might bring.

Yes, folks, the future apocalypse is alive and well in America and around the world, hence the board game Millennium. Here are some of the package designs I've tested over the years.

Current Design 2020

As the game stands now it's in development hell due to financial reasons, although, that being said, I've updated the game and currently still play-testing the sepia-toned version you see above. As you can see, this box features the first book, Edge of The Apocalypse.

I think this box tells a better story on its cover and so most likely I'll print this packaging for the debut box hopefully out next September 11, 2021. Unless we're in for another dose of COVID-19 or God forbid something worse. You never know.

And so this is how it goes. I spend 3 years developing Millennium and along comes this pandemic and wipes out all the momentum I had going. Boohoo, cry me a river okay. Get over it. It's just a game. Right. That's what I keep telling myself.

No worries. Let's just hope we're all around in the year 2021 with a new outlook on life and everything it has to offer. So stay tuned for more about the game. I'm hoping to put out a promotional video soon.

Check out my previous posts on this blog for much more about the game and the three companion books, which are all out on Amazon in paperback or ebook versions.

See the Books

See Millennium on The Game Crafter

Passengers | The Movie - Chris Pratt, Jennifer Lawrence

 

Okay folks, I'll make this short and not so sweet. What's the best part about Passengers? For me, since I've been around the block a few times and for the most part I detest formulaic screenplays (you know the ones I mean; most of them. Movies with a beginning, a middle, and a predictable ending.) Yes, Andy Garcia's two-seconds cameo was a nice surprise but come on, stop that Hollywood. That's a cheap trick, if ever.

So just about the best part for me was the Avalon Spaceship itself. Wow, if you're a sci-fi enthusiast you gotta love that ship. This is where the movie earned its stripes in my opinion, including Pratt's interaction with the vessel. And just as a head's up to Hollywood producers, (not that they need it from me) there's a whole mini-series waiting to happen based on the Avalon. Go for it. I'll wait for my royalties in the mail.

Okay, enough of that. Jennifer Lawrence, you're gorgeous but annoying to watch; listen to. Did she have to almost kill him? Please. I mean a bit over the top performance, despite the script. Scary. Almost turned into a horror flick. Pratt, a bit more nuanced in his approach. He's cool, okay. 

Look, everything hangs on the concept, which is quite good except that a ship as advanced as the Avalon should have detected and avoided colliding with an asteroid belt or whatever. But of course, if you use that logic then you have no story. 

What's one to do? Nothing. Pray for better movies.

Two out of five stars.

P.S. No disrespect to Laurence Fishburne (he's always good) and Michael Sheen. I've always loved Fishburne since Apocalypse Now and Sheen does shine in Frost/Nixon. In this film, he's the subject of comic relief but nicely done as an Android; an interesting hook.

FIRESTONE - Book 1 by RYAN CARRIERE [Fantasy Steampunk] A Tale of The Eternal Stones Series

Get Your Free Copy Today! (Limited Time)

Lovers of Fantasy and Steampunk stories, check out this new series by Ryan Carriere. I got this on short notice but I like what I've seen so far. Amazing book covers and vids. I just downloaded my free copy so I'll be busy reading for a while.

This is so different from my series, The Edge of Time, which, is a different genre (contemporary post-apocalyptic fiction) but either way, I'm enjoying Ryan's first book in his series, A Tale of The Eternal Stones. An amazing story. Get it today!

Check out Ryan Carriere and his new book series on Facebook too. 

Timelapse of The Entire Universe - Apocalyptic

ARCHIVE: A New Sci-Fi Movie - A Rothery VOD Film

Directed by Gavin Rothery. With Rhona Mitra, Theo James, Toby Jones, Stacy Martin. 2038: George Almore is working on a true human-equivalent AI. His latest prototype is almost ready. This sensitive phase is also the riskiest. Especially as he has a goal that must be hidden at all costs: being reunited with his dead wife.

I'm watching this movie tonight so I'll post my review on Sunday. I've got my fingers crossed so I hope it's a good one. Happy watching.

Here's an update about my review of this movie:

Loved the concept and "special effects" or visuals. But unfortunately, this is one of those movies with very little tension or subtext to keep you riveted and keep you in suspense. Couldn't get into this film as much as I wanted to. Otherwise, it was interesting enough to watch until the end.

The ending for me fell short because I could hardly hear their soft-spoken voices but even when I got the words I'm not quite sure I got the ending.

I'll have to watch it again to see if this film gets any better.

SPOILER:

Okay, so after watching this movie again I can say that this film has a The Sixth Sense meets Ex Machina kind of feel. I think I loved it because it definitely had some good moments.

Board Games and Coronavirus - How Millennium is Dealing With COVID-19

Hey folks, I hope you're safe, healthy, and still living the American Dream in one way or another. Without question, COVID-19 has dampened spirits and has changed our daily lives in unexpected ways.

But no worries, my response to this virus regarding the Millennium game is simple because viruses are certainly a part of the apocalypse and it's fairly easy to add playing cards and chits to thematically reflect a sign of the times, which I already had in play as a generic plague.

New COVID-19 Playing Card

The question is, what does COVID-19 look like in the year 2157? For now, it looks like the common flu since several vaccines have been developed to fight it, however, about 5% of the population is still dying when infected. Anything goes at this point and the details are only as important as the action you want to add to the game.

I don't like to use losing turns like a game mechanism, but this is COVID-19 after all so the punishment fits. I can adjust the number of turns lost and will probably wind up with 2 turns lost so as to not discourage gameplay.

Other than that, Millennium is better than ever and I plan to print another prototype this coming month and continue testing the game. I've already started working on the introduction video to the game and I'll be able to add game-play rules as soon as I get the new box and game board. As far as the launch date, that remains to be seen because I had planned to launch this game on September 11 but I might push that to a later date; maybe November or even another month in 2021 because of the election this November.

As anxious as I am to get Millennium out there, I don't want to rush things either. The launch date is important because The Game Crafter website helps promote the game initially and so I want to pair that with my own promotions to generate stronger momentum.

That first push and intro are important to keep high and wide at first and then narrow the promos to the niche audiences who are most likely to buy the game. Some might say that the opposite is true but I think that wider exposure from the outset is the way to go.

Either way, Millennium will be on the market soon enough and my 3-year secret will be exposed for everyone to see. 

Millennium's stealth mode is about to unveil the inevitable and glorious introduction to one of the most exciting and most innovative board games planet Earth has ever known.

Lofty hyperbole, yes. You've got to think big and reach for the stars, my friends. We've got but one life so we must make the very best of it while we can.

Live long and prosper.

Post-Apocalyptic Board Games - A Millennium Game Update

New Millennium Game Box

Hey folks, I hope all is well by you and that being home isn't driving you up the walls. Many people have adapted to working from home as I did 12 years ago. It's best if you have a dedicated home office, otherwise, the distractions are maddening.

Family game night is back and so it's a good time to try something new if you're tired of the old classic games. I was hoping to get Millennium out there by the September 11 deadline but since the manufacturer (TheGameCrafter.com) had been closed and I've had to add additional COVID-19 theme cards and chits, that has set me back a bit.

But no worries, the game is better than ever and holding up nicely despite minor delays. I still have a gameplay video to produce once they print the final prototype. Mama mia, (I'm watching the Godfather for the 100th time as I work) this game is never done.

Grazie. Prego.

Absolutely one of the best films ever made. You gotta love the classics and that includes classic games but once in a while you have to take a walk on the wild side. Like watching Mad Max Fury Road for a change. That's a modern classic right there.

I like to think that Millennium will become a modern classic game in its own right someday. I designed it with that thought in mind so the game does have many classic themes and scenes that resonate and are familiar to many players.

That's one thing to keep in mind when you design a board game of any kind. It's best if a new game has familiar mechanics and themes that all players can relate to. I've always been fond of stories that take you back in time and so that's a big part of Millennium, as the cover shows.

But the game is about so much more than visiting the past as it explores Earth's possible future, which is a hopeful one. The themes and plot devices run deep in the game and so it is also more than a search and rescue game. Millennium lives and plays on many levels and draws you in and takes you in many directions. There are many choices and you'll have plenty of decisions to make along the way so its many adventures are unpredictable.

It's going to be an exciting game and I really look forward to announcing when the game is finally done. Soon. Hopefully very soon.

Meanwhile, let's be safe out there.

Hill Street Blues. (Google it youngbloods.)

COVID-19 And The Apocalypse - Just Ask Robert De Niro

Like most Americans, I'm stuck at home trying to find myself amid this COVID-19 chaos. But in all fairness, I've been stuck at home, half-crippled for the past 13 years after my brush with death of another kind back in 2007.

But that's another story for another time. Right now, the world is standing still; waiting for who knows what else. I happened to catch Robert De Niro last night on CNN saying that this COVID-19 virus is like a bad movie. I get that same feeling because it just seems unreal when you see the barren streets of Times Square and other big cities, like ghost towns.

How did we get here?

I've seen enough boring bookcases lately.

It's a double whammy for me but nevertheless, I go on with my life as we all must go on with our daily routines, masks firmly in place. Either find a hobby or load a gun. I stopped watching television altogether, except for an occasional good movie that comes around. You know, it's mostly re-runs these days. Not that Hollywood wasn't already rebooting every show known to humankind before the virus. As for the live shows from home. No thanks, I've seen enough boring bookcases lately. It's all horrible and unwatchable.

The late-night shows were horrible before the virus with all the ass-kissing hosts on full display, night after night. Always trying to be so damn nice and proper as if their guests are so delicate and vulnerable to life's hard truths. It's appalling what this world, especially the entertainment industry has come to these days. There's no edge. No honesty in anything they say or how they present it. They are absolutely unwatchable ass kissers, panderers, and politically correct left-wingers. A bunch of sore losers who still can't get over Trump being president.

Get over it people. The son-of-a-bitch will most likely win another 4 years. I'm pretty much apolitical in case you haven't noticed by now. And forget Bernie Sanders. He seems to mean well, but it's all just a scam. Like most politicians, he just uses politics as a publicity platform. It's a disgrace.

What else can I say?

It seems the apocalypse has snuck up on us and delivered it's first glancing blow as we await its full fury in the form of nuclear war. What else can we expect? Is COVID-19 the beginning of the end? Who knows?

I can't call it. It's anyone's guess at this point. We'll have to go along for the ride of our lives and see where all this takes us.

Hopefully, it leaves us in a better place providing we can survive it. From De Niro's point of view, we're all stuck in a movie scenario, something unreal.

Except that COVID-19 is very real.

So suck it up buttercup and deal with it, people.

Deal with it!

New Post-Apocalyptic Board Games - Baby Hitler?

New Post-Apocalyptic Board Games

Just when you thought it was safe to get into the water . . .

Hey folks, I've been burning the midnight oil and here's what I came up with so far.

I'm having a great time putting together the new Millennium expansion game, Manhunt in Berlin and Beyond. It's a bit of work since board games usually are but that's the fun part in so many ways; trying to figure out the best mechanics for the game and making it work.

Imagine if Adolph Hitler had escaped to Argentina back in 1945. That would be news indeed if we could prove it. Rumors of that kind started right after the end of WWII by the Russians and the fact that thousands of Nazi's fled to South America with the help of the Vatican, helps to fuel these rumors and inspire even more conspiracy theories.

That's the theme I based this new expansion game on and it should make for an interesting and fun game. What's fun about that war? That's where baby Hitler comes in. Here's a baby that only a mother could love. Imagine that.

So there's a funny angle I can't pass up and the expression on his face says it all. He already might have been planning something sinister for sure.

You just can't make this stuff up. BTW, that's a clipping of Hitler's real mustache. (Needs some trimming) Yes, I am very dedicated to my craft.

I hadn't planned on showing this game card but how can I resist? That haircut alone is priceless. Okay, this is hard to top so I'll end it here. I'm not sure how I'll use this baby Hitler photo yet but I'll come up with something. Or better yet, if you guys can come up with a funny gag for it, please let me know and I'll use it.

Baby Hitler

Don't forget to sign up for email updates (upper right column) if you want to keep track of all this insanity.

Meanwhile, I'll get back to work on this baby Hitler card and see what I come up with.

Maybe I'll take it back to when the photo was taken and have his mother say something revealing and funny.

The possibilities are endless. Stay tuned for the final version of the Baby Hitler game card, coming soon.

Auf Wiedersehen!

Product Packaging - Does Yours Have a Hook? [Apocalypse Board Games]

All-New Millennium Game Box

When it comes to product packaging, products are no different than a movie poster, a novel, or a short story; the secret to designing a killer package is to give it an irresistible hook.

Right, you thought hooks were just for movies and novels, well think again because everything needs a hook. Even your hooks need a hook because without a hook, it's just another cog in the big machine. This brings to mind a cliche, the squeaky wheel gets the oil.

Think about that. So based on this analogy, your product should be squeaking for oil or a damn good hook because without it . . . you get the idea.

And a good hook, of course, is a design element that attracts prospects out of sheer curiosity. Hooks speak to people instantly by engaging them with visual cues that tell a story.

With the Millennium box, the marketing hook is relevant and immediate. This box, this product, this game is not of this world. How do I show that visually? The game box washes up on shore, but notice that it's beaming from above. Not exactly a Star-Trek beam-me-up, Scotty effect, but something similar.

More to the point, this image brings to mind the monolith from 2001 A Space Odyssey. None of these design cues were intentional but given the nature of the game, a futuristic setting, these design elements tend to come naturally as an extension of the genre.

Another hook is the sepia-tone and the juxtaposition of a futuristic woman set in the 1930s past. That's the real product hook. The rest is marketing.

This is the new box I'll be printing shortly. The seal says: Earth's Brightest Journey - Starts Here.

That little zinger keeps the main theme of the game, that all is not lost, front and center. That there is hope for humanity, after all. In other words, this is not a shoot em up, end of the world, the winner takes all game. Yes, the stakes are high and the danger is real ( a potential apocalypse) but there is a silver lining at the end.

The reason for this sort of thinking is that if I had designed the game like all the rest of the apocalypse games known to humankind, then it's just like all those other games. And frankly, I'm not sure how other games play in detail because I don't want to be influenced by their mechanics.

So Millennium, for better or for worse, is as original but as familiar as it gets because it's in a realm of its own. That's what makes it unique and what sets it apart from other apocalyptic games. I think that's a good thing and it remains to be seen if consumers agree with that or not.

Either way, I believe it's a good move and I'm sticking to it and will continue to develop the game along those lines. Right, sometimes you have to take chances because playing it safe is not an option.

If you're struggling with a product and searching for a meaningful hook, leave your comments below so we can figure it out right here. If you can disclose your idea, I'd love to post it to see what we can come up with.

Meanwhile, I'm committing myself to work on the Extension game ( The Fall of Berlin - And Beyond) and hopefully finish it for September release as well. A tall order but not impossible so it's all in the works and I've got to get back to it, folks.

See you back here soon!

Post-Apocalyptic Fiction eBooks - Beyond The Apocalypse is Here

Click HERE For a Preview and Download Free!

Fans of apocalyptic fiction, the third and final book of The Edge of Time book series, Beyond The Apocalypse, is out and free for a limited time (March 1-5) on Amazon!

For what it's worth, I decided to release the final book in this awesome series. Beyond The Apocalypse ties all the loose ends and wraps up the series with a curious question. No spoilers, but what happens when we die?

There are plenty of theories and speculation out there. We've heard of NDE's (near-death-experience) where some people have seen heaven as described in the Bible. Others claim to have gone through tunnels with blinding lights and wormholes that have taken them beyond this realm into other-worldly places.

Whether those visions are part of our collective subconscious or just our over-active imagination, we'll never really know until we get there ourselves.

It's been a great time for me writing these short books and I've complied all three books in the series into one full-length novel of about 295 pages.

I'm not sure when I'll release the novel but I might publish it on Barnes and Noble in a collectible hardcover edition, most likely by next year.

Right now I'm turning my full attention to finishing the Millennium Board game and it's Europe Expansion, which I hope both will be out this September 11, 2020.

This expansion fits next to the big six-fold board and the game continues with a manhunt for Hitler at the end of WWII in 1945.

So, from the Millennium board, the full U.S. map, you'll find a time portal on the 89th Meridian, which transports you back to 1945 and inside the fall of Berlin.

From there, the search is on, folks! With the help of numerous clues gleaned from declassified documents, you'll have many paths to follow in search of the infamous and most notorious villain in the world.

Can you find this scoundrel and bring him to justice?

That's the focus of the Europe expansion game, which is still in the works. I think it's a fitting goal to pursue if we want to rewrite a harrowing piece of history and hopefully take our future into a far better place than it is today.

And of course, there's always a fine line between reality and fiction or in this case, conspiracy theories.

But the beauty of this game is its theme and the possibility that this is one conspiracy that just might be true, given the proven facts, based on records, that thousands of Nazi's did indeed flee to a Nazi-sympathizing Argentina under president Juan Peron's rule.

There's a good bit of factual history that helps support the conspiracy theories, so to think that Hitler and his wife, Eva Braun, also managed to successfully escape is not as far-fetched as it sounds.

Again, I'm having a great time putting this expansion game together and it's going to be a great addition to the original Millennium board game because it will add a good deal of thematic depth, resonance, and intrigue. In my book, that's a good formula for the makings of a great game.

And so, my quest to finish both games and link them to the trilogy of books in the upcoming September promotion is indeed a worthy cause to pursue.

I can hardly wait and I hope you'll be there to feast on all these fantastic games and books that are much more than what they seem at first sight.

For me, it's all about a fun and engaging story at its core, wrapped with profound meaning that takes us beyond the status quo and the ordinary, into a new world beyond our imagination.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

Join us in a promising adventure that you won't soon forget. Be there or be square, as we said in the good old days.

See you back here soon with lots more exciting news!

Please leave comments or questions below.

In my next post, I'll explain my approach to marketing board games and books. Right now these products are in stealth mode but as September approaches, that's when CHTF happens. Chits Hit The Fan, which is a good title (coined here) so expect me to use it.

I've got to hustle and polish both games with more playtesting until then. Most of the initial promos will come straight out of The GameCrafter website when both games launch.

Aside from that, I might run an ad in BGG and other key websites but not sure. A lot remains to be seen and I'll play it by ear when the time comes. Gaining momentum is important after launching but so many other things have to be in place before then.

Stay tuned for all the details if you're interested in a case study about marketing new board games. This could be an epic fail without Kickstarter but I'm counting on my promotional materials and the strength and popularity of the game itself to engage consumers to generate sales.

That's a mouthful and that's why it's almost CHTF time.

Enough said. I've got work to do so see you back here soon!

Epic Apocalypse eBook Promo

Epic Apocalypse - Book Two

For those of you following this series, you can now get the second ebook free for a limited time (Feb.23-27) so If you've read the first, here's your chance to follow-up with Epic Apocalypse.

Beyond The Apocalypse - Book Three

I'm also posting a preview of Book Three, Beyond the Apocalypse, the final book in this amazing series, so have a peek.

No worries, these are short stories, about 100 pages each, so they're a quick read. I'm still working on the full-length novel of about 295 pages, which of course includes all three books in this series.

I must say that I've had the time of my life writing these three books and without question, I'll be continuing this series indefinitely. Hopefully, I'll get to the 4th book before the end of this year, although I can't say for sure because the Millennium game is due out this September 11 and I just might be quite busy promoting that for a change.

Things will then come full circle with the game and the three books out for the first time after September and that's a handful right there. Not to mention that I'm also working on a Europe Expansion of the game. I'll be posting those details here soon. I've already started designing the box and the game board and so I'll have about 3 card decks to design and a number of other things to go with it.

So, as you can see, I've got my work cut out to finish up before the end of this year. Once the game is finished I'll be able to get things going so the next several years are all about promoting the game and the books together at conventions and game rooms starting here in Jacksonville and Gainsville, Florida.

Thank you to those who've posted reviews on Goodreads.com. Hopefully, Amazon reviews will follow soon. It's all about finishing the board game now so standby for that.

Enjoy the stories!

Preview Epic Apocalypse

DEVS - A Look at The Hulu Sci-Fi Mini-Series [Alex Garland]

You know I'm a sucker for fascinating sci-fi thrillers but I'm not so sure this qualifies. Although, Devs looks promising. It's Hulu's upcoming mini-series, by Alex Garland, writer/director of The Beach and Ex Machina fame, the latter, which is one of my favorite films and why I'm following Devs.

That being said, we catch a glimpse of a giant doll in this trailer, which looks neither ominous nor mysterious in any way to me but you know, the "Hollywood" movie machine needs stars just like the world of sports and someone has to give it a shot. And I hate to judge a movie by its trailer but I don't have much of a choice at this point.

Can that comment be any more condescending? Probably not but this series reminds me of so many other bad concepts taken on by good players indulging in a bit of bad story-telling. Not exactly a high-concept, but Devs' success remains to be seen so let's cautiously hold our breath for the first episode on March 5.

We just might be surprised.

Epic Apocalypse - Surviving The Epicenter [The Edge of Time Series]

Epic Apocalypse - Book 2

Lovers of apocalyptic fiction, feast your eyes on Book 2 from The Edge of Time Series, Epic Apocalypse.

As usual, I had a blast laying down these words and banged out this second installment of the series in no time.

In full disclosure, I wrote the three books in about a month (about 300 pages).

Most of the time after that, several weeks, I spent editing and proofreading, tweaking the covers, etc.

All that work for me was minimal because I keep 95% of what I write and how I write it. It so happens that this series for me is easy to put down as is since it just flows effortlessly. Although, most of my writing goes that way, these days.

Including this blog. I rarely change a word of it and bang it out in about 20 minutes. I hope that doesn't show too much, but I am extremely busy otherwise and I have very little time for anything else. In a way, writing on this blog and others I tinker with, for the past 10 years has been a good discipline for me. And, truth be told, Grammerly helps a bit. Not that I'm promoting it but it is quite helpful, especially if you're in a hurry.

Good Lord, Ernest Hemingway had it made in the shade back when he was writing his first novel, The Sun Also Rises in Paris and Spain. Yes, it's no secret that EH is one of my favorite authors and I'm in no way comparing myself to a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, but Hemingway had the luxury of banging out raw chapters early in the morning before he started his day of fishing and debauchery.

He'd then wire that text to his long-time editor and friend, Maxwell Perkins, circa 1925 and his writing chores were done for the day, usually before daylight. Perkins took care of everything else.

Most of us don't have that lifestyle these days even if we're published by one of the big agencies because we're still expected or required to help promote our books. And if we're self-published, we are most certainly in deep publishing shit.

"Life is full of Boo-Hoo Moments, So take it in, Tamp it down, And Suck it Up, Buttercup!"

I relish the day when I can bang out raw pages and send those bitches off to my editor and go fishing for the rest of my 20 hour day of leisure. What a racket that would be. I might just be the next Hemingway if that were indeed the case. Or maybe a better version of myself.

No, I did not just slight Hemingway. His head and brain were twice the sizes of mine so I know my place in the world. I'm a mutt of a writer by comparison but obsessed with all things related to Ernest Hemingway and his way of life. A man's man and a man's writer for sure (no disrespect, ladies). Toni Morrison was an outright genius and another of my favorite writers. And in many ways, I think women are by and large better writers than men. (Right, I'm not sexist at all.)

Edge of the Apocalypse - Book 1

But enough of that. I'm just rifting along while I have a bit of time.

I also want to mention that starting February 1, the first book of the series, Edge of the Apocalypse is available for free until the 5th. If you haven't had the chance to check it out, now is a good time because I made several important edits to expand (improve) the opening a bit. I'll include the link here when it's available for free download on Amazon.

I must say, that's one advantage we have these days, especially as self-published authors. We have total control of our content and I love that aspect of it the most. We can update our digital content at will and that's a Godsend.

Listen nobody cares how much we sweat. All the blood, sweat and tears mean nothing to the end-user. They just want to read a damn good story. That's it. Suffer all you want, and suffer you will just don't let it show.

In other words:

Life is full of Boo-Hoo Moments,
So take it in,
Tamp it down,
And Suck it Up, Buttercup!

Yes, there's a t-shirt in there somewhere. 
First one to feature on Merch, takes all!

Star Trek vs. Space Force - Which Came First?

Star Trek USS Enterprise

NASA just wants to have some fun. And why not? Life is just too short to take everything so seriously.

Here's the DJT tweet that set this off:
After consultation with our Great Military Leaders, designers, and others, I am pleased to present the new logo for the United States Space Force, the Sixth Branch of our Magnificent Military!

Okay, if you ask me, I prefer the fake Starfleet Command logo. But each image has its own merits. Yes, they are almost identical but the real USSF logo sticks with a rigid look and feel with typical government serif fonts and flat color tones.

So the real question is, who is copying whom?

Here are the cold, hard facts:

NASA'S Mission Statement: "An Act to provide for research into the problems of flight within and outside the Earth's atmosphere, and for other purposes."

With this simple preamble, the Congress and the President of the United States (The Eisenhower Administration) created the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on October 1, 1958.

Star Trek Series:
The Star Trek series was actually first seen on September 6, 1966. It was produced from September 1966 to December 1967 by Norway Productions and Desilu Productions, and then by Paramount Television from January 1968 to June 1969. (Aw, I was just 10 years old)

Star Trek aired on NBC from September 8, 1966, to June 3, 1969. I think I remember the first episode ( The Man Trap) and like most Trekkies, I was hooked from episode one. And of course, I love all the excellent movies that the popular series inspired.

So there you have it. That's the low-down about which came first. Although, I think it's safe to say that it was a mutual exchange throughout the years and decades between both agencies, real and not so real.

You gotta love it, folks. For more about this interesting era in American history:
Learn more about it here:

AUTOMATA -A Post-Apocalyptic Movie starring Antonio Banderas [ A Short Review ]

AUTOMATA - Antonio Banderas

Here's one of my favorite post-apocalyptic movies of all time, AUTOMATA (2014).
Blade Runner 2049 is a strong first, budgets not withstanding. I know both these movies have been playing for some time, but in my opinion, they are both classics and demand to be seen on a large theater screen.

I love the stark, desolate landscape and the Automata robots, who try to get along with their human counterparts but to no avail can they co-exist, as survival hangs in the balance.

This is Ibáñez first feature film and I must say that he's on to something with the look and feel of this low budget thriller that does not disappoint. Great performances throughout, starring, Antonio Banderas, Dylan Mcdermott, and Melanie Griffith. A strong story-line carries the sparse narrative to a satisfying conclusion.

Banderas rarely gets the credit he deserves but from here, he's always on top of his game. Check him out in HBO's Genius Picasso, one of his best performances. (Hey, he's always amazing.)

I think this film is still playing on Netflix.

See the trailer and details about this awesome film and its director, Gabe Ibáñez for much more.
See the full article on Icon vs Icon

New Apocalyptic Board Games and Books 2020

Millennium Board Game

Happy New Year, folks!

Here we are, the year 2020 and I for one am grateful to have made it this far. (For those who have cheated death before, you know the feeling.)

And as you can see, Millennium is still on board, beaming down and standing tall like a monolith from another time, waiting to be discovered.

Actual landing time is 9/11, 2020 so it's coming, and before you know it, it's here for the world to see and play.

Sounds dramatic, I know and only time will tell how this game and the books that precede it will be received. I'm working on a shoestring budget so promotions are limited. I'm still testing the waters and so far, I'm happy with the results but in a perfect world I'd market these products in a more traditional way.

ebook, Edge of The Apocalypse

I'm hoping to get a bump from The Game Crafter website, once I release the game for sale. That's the only venue that will offer the game for now until I can get it distributed in stores. And TGC, these are the folks who produce the working prototypes.

Right now, this game and several others in development are a family affair and mostly designed and promoted entirely by myself, and that's difficult enough because unlike most gaming endeavors, I don't have a team of pros to help me get this out there.

Luckily, I'm well-versed in many areas, but that doesn't mean I have it locked down by any means. When all is said and done, there are going to be plenty of loose ends in play.

There's so much to do and so little time to get anything done so it's a challenge in more ways than one, but no excuses. You do your best, make adjustments, and let it go.

And along the way, if you're stubborn like me, you break most conventional rules and try to set different standards in the industry. Probably not the wisest choice to start with, but that's my style. I'm basically going for broke, all in, do or die. (If I can think of any other cliches, I'll let you know.)

Meanwhile, I encourage you to live your dreams and start with what you have. Don't wait on anyone else. Take control and get going. You can learn along the way and if you fail, you've gained valuable experience for your next endeavor.

My reasoning behind these games and books is that I've set out to design and develop Sci-Fi games that I'd like to play and to write books that I'd like to read. Hopefully, many people will join me and connect on some level with these games and stories.

If not, I'm having the time of my life trying, and right now, that's keeping me motivated and driven to succeed. If you'd like me to feature your Sci-Fi game or book, let me know in the comments or drop me an email, I'd love to write it up here.

Please leave me your comments and questions below. Also, consider joining my private email list (above, right column) so we can stay in touch if you're interested in any of these games or books.

Until next time,

Play on!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I almost forgot to mention that I'm finalizing editing on all three books. If you'd like a free PDF file of Book One, let me know, or check out the Amazon Preview.