Uf. We’re at the doorstep of Christmas.
Are you ready? Because I’m not. I’ve barely begun any shopping.
As the father of a six-year-old and the husband of a woman who enjoys Christmas, I’ll be partaking in all the usual hoopla. It’s already started, in fact, with attendance at the town’s Christmas tree lighting.
But it’s also a hard year. This is our first Christmas without my mother-in-law Lilly and she had always figured big in our annual holiday traditions. It’s just not going to be the same.
We soldier on, but it’s still going to feel a bit empty.
Moving forward, though, we’ll try to make the most of the holiday spirit. I’m not a religious person, but I do like the yearly reminder to be of good cheer and to share that cheer.
Anyway. On to this week’s post.
What I’m Reading
I honestly don’t know what drew me to this book or why I bought it.
Each time we visit Long Island, we always make a point to stop in at Red Jacket Books in Westhampton Beach. It’s a tiny little place, but I have yet to walk out of there empty-handed.
On our most recent trip, I picked up another volume of poetry by Charles Bukowski. And then I saw this book… Finite and Infinite Games: A Vision of Life as Play and Possibility by James P. Carse.
I’ve gotten a good start, but am still unsure what the book is really about. It seems to be a philosophical/sociological discussion, of sorts, about two approaches to life—as a finite game and as an infinite game.
This is not a book to skim. I often find myself rereading paragraphs just to make sure I get the gist of what the author is saying. It’s a little abstract at the moment—the author would have done well to include more examples to help define his explanation of finite and infinite games. Having peeked ahead a little, I think he makes up for that lack.
Otherwise, it’s thoroughly engaging. I don’t know what I’m going to learn from this, but I’m interested in finding out.
What I’m Listening To
Motion City Soundtrack
I first heard these cats on a Punk-o-Rama CD many years ago. I was immediately taken by their energy, lyrics, and musicality.
They’re just fun to listen to.
I don’t really need to say more than that. I can’t even pick out a favorite album of theirs because they’re all good.
If you’re looking for something different to listen to that’s fun, energetic, and thoughtful all at once, you could make worse choices than Motion City Soundtrack.
Quote of the Week
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” — Victor Frankl
The quote should be fairly self-explanatory. It struck me recently as an acknowledgment that we (and by that, I mean I) need to embrace and nurture change if we (I again) wish to grow and improve my lot.
The same could be said for all of us.
And Man’s Search For Meaning is in my to-read pile.
What I’m Watching
I tend not to binge-watch shows often, but Netflix’s new show, Wednesday, really hooked and reeled me in. I was a big fan of the original The Addams Family TV show and of the cartoon work of Charles Addams himself. Wednesday (the show) is a worthy addition to the franchise, although I’m tempted to treat it more like fan fiction than canon.
There are great callbacks to the TV show. And Guzman’s portrayal of Gomez Addams recalls more the Charles Addams illustrations than Astin or Julia. The only real reference to the live-action movies was Thing who existed mostly to help move the plot along, although it has some character development happening as well.
The story does seem like it could easily have existed outside the Addams Family franchise, but it works better within it. I love the overall look of the show and all the actors were brilliant.
So, yeah. Watch this. You won’t be sorry.
What I’m Working On
I’m wrapping up the finishing touches of a collection of short stories inspired by Jules Verne. The project is being helmed by the good folks at the North American Jules Verne Society. I had a hand in putting together their Palik Series—a multi-volume collection of previously untranslated Verne works. They even gave me a nice plaque.
Extraordinary Visions (the book) should be available just in time for the holidays. At worst, it will be available to enjoy during those bitterly cold months following when we have little else to do but stay indoors and read.
I’ve finished most of my writing assignments for the month. I have a few short pieces for some Colorado publications due next week, but November is pretty much sewn up.
It was a good month, work-wise.
Like Poetry, Short Fiction, and General Oddness?
Check out my book, LIFE AMONG PSYCHOPATHS, available on Amazon or via The Merry Blacksmith Press. It features poetry (some of it quite good), short stories of fantastical sorts of things, and general odd bits like lists, letters, and warnings that should not exist. It makes for some great winter reading.
Until next time…
