Read the real life stories and experiences of freelance writer Mike Gagnon.

Short hiatus

This blog is going to be down temporarily on Hiatus.

It will be up again in a few months.

I am taking some time to advance and develop my personal life and professional skills.

Posted by: lightning at 12:13 | link | comments

Worshipping at the altar of Scott McCloud

I bought Scott's newest book, Making Comics, a few weeks back. I've read his previous books, but for some reason failed to really connect with them. I didn't dislike them, but they didn't seem to strongly affect or influence my life or work. Untrue of this one. I'm on my third reading now. I have no hesitation in saying that this man is a genius. I've found new inspiration in my own work from Scott's wisdom. I may even revisit his previous books and give them another chance.

Posted by: lightning at 12:12 | link | comments
life updates

Updates Cont'd (read previous entry)

I remembered!

Okay More updates

Wedding

So As you may or may not know Pam and I are finally getting hitched. We're going out to Banff and having the ceremony with a small group of people in the rocky mountains. Really, in the mountains. We have to hike to the wedding site. The big day is August 8th. Jeremy is taking me to a Nascar race in the states for my batchelor party.

Pam's Dad

I don't know if I mentioned this awhile back, but Pam's Ddad was in bad shape in the hospital. There were a number of medical conditions and contributing factors, but he's recovered and out now, but has to deal with some serious respiratory illness issues.

Bear

Bear is the dog that we rescued awhile back as a pet for Pam's dad. When we brought her home she had been severly neglected and was covered in feces and was severly urine burnt on the underneath of her entire body. Her ears also has multiple untreated infections.

We took a week to get Bear into home living shape to live with Pam's dad, and then we helped them with her medicines and vet apointments. Her ears are fixed up, the fur has grown back where she was once urine burnt, and her resulting skin infection is almost cleared up, she's in great spirits and smart as hell. After only being at Pam's Dad's for a couple weeks he ended up going into the hospital as mentioned above. So, Bear's been living with us ever since. As a Husky/Border Collie/German Shepherd/Blue Heeler mix she's a big dog. I've become attached, but our house isn't big enough for her and she doesn't get outside enough. It's hard to part with her, but we will probably have to. Since it's technically Dave's dog we may return her there, but that is uncertain because of his respiratory illness. If they can't have her back in the house we may have to find a new home for her. I hate the idea of sending her to a shelter because she's very unlikely to have any hope of adoption, being an older dog with medical issues that need regular attention. I wish we could get a bigger place out of town where she would have more space, but, financially, I just don't think we could seriously consider that right now.

Not for profit

Lately, in part because of our experiences with Bear, I've been thinking about ideas for a charity or non-profit group that would promote proper pet care, responsible ownership, and animal (pet) rights. Or perhaps a non-kill non-profit animal shelter. No idea where to start with that, and definately too big of an egg to add to my already overloaded basket already, but it is something I'll keep stewing in the back of my mind...

Kirk Out.

Posted by: lightning at 11:22 | link | comments (2)
life updates

Updates

Well it appears that I have some free time, so I may as well post some updates...

Public Washrooms

To all you homophobes...As a straight man to other straight men who use public washrooms, please stop using stalls to take a leak, that's what urinals are for. What are you, three years old? Nobody is going to walk up and look at your wang, touch your wang, grope your wang, or laugh at your wang. If you're too stupid to piss without getting it on the seat you should not be allowed to use a toilet. After only 4 hours of sleep and 2 1/2 hours on the road this morning, the guy who used the stall in the hospital washroom before me today has no idea how close he came to having me hang a hell of a beating on him for having to wipe his piss off the seat before I could take a crap.

I'm cranky this morning.

I haven't had enough coffee.

Weight Loss/Kickboxing

For the last couple of months Pam and I have been doing the healthy eating thing, actually we've been doing it longer than that, but we've been doing kickboxing classes for a couple months. I've lost 30 pounds and 3 inches on my waist. It's hard to tell as I was already tipping the scales well, well above a healthy weight, but it's a start. Only about 100 more lbs to go =), no really, I need to lose at least 100 more lbs, but I am getting surprisingly flexible and feeling healthier. I also bought a bike which I use to go back and forth to my side job and run local errands. The bike has already paid for itself twice over for savings in gas alone, it's also good for the environment.

New Dishwasha

Pam's brother Kev was over a few weeks ago. We went to rent a movie and saw a dishwasher on the side of the road. Kev being Kev, we had to pick it up and bring it back to my place. Since then I have bought a few parts to convert it from a built in to a portable dishwasher. I also built a wheelie cart in order to facilitate the portabilitiness. I know we'll be using more water and hydro, but I hate dishes, plus I'm using a new dishwashing liquid called "Seventh Generation" that is chemical, bleach, phosphate and anything else free, so it doesn't harm the environment, plus it works great, even better than some big name dishwashing detergents.

The book I cannot take credit for

Awhile back, maybe a year ago I ghost wrote a book for an author. It's finally published. Ghost writing means I write the book for the author, but it is credited to his name. So it's out and available on Amazon now, but I can't publicly take credit for it, but it is out. And I was paid, so all is good.

Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in...

It's very, very strange how things work. In the past, I've struggled to make the best of business ventures under my helm, and have since enjoyed the simple process of freelance writing and not being involved with the politics of big business. And for some reason, now that I'm not actively pursuing publishing as a venture it is coming to me. I don't know what to do. I am leary and I would likely never consider anything more than the odd self published book. Also, even my freelnace writing and content providing has been picking up. Weird, I've been too busy to promote myself and chase jobs lately because I'm so far behind and backed up on current assignments thanks to all the personal drama and part-time jobbing of the last few months. Now people are coming to me. It feels weird, but I will not look that gift horse in the mouth as I am much more interested in pursuing my personal endevours than slaving away at a boring retail job. A person close to me has also approached me recently with a very sound business idea, nothing to do with my field, but sound nonetheless. The next few months may prove to be very interesting...first I need to catch up on all my current assignments.

Foie Gras

I saw on the news the other day that Roger Moore is taking a stand against Foie Gras, a delicacy served in restaurants worldwide, but mostly in France and Europe. I had no idea what the hell it was all about. So I looked it up. Although I don't care for Mr. Moore as Bond, I think I do now have to agree with him on his stance against this "Delicacy of Despair". All you really need to know can be found here: http://www.goveg.com/feat/foie/ 

Well.....I forget things faster than I can think of them, so if I have more free time later and remember some more stuff I'll be back.

Kirk Out.

Posted by: lightning at 10:42 | link | comments
life updates

Holy frickin' hurricane Hannah!

My life has been like a frickin' hurricane lately. I am literally so busy that I'm even unable to get  to a computer. That's astoundingly busy. It's hard for me to sum everything up as so much time has past, but I'll do my best.

Libraries are under appreciated - I recently got a new library membership. It's only been about 3 years int he making, can't believe I waited that long. It's bringing back a lot of memories form when I used to work in one of those oft forgotten book repositories. Anyway, With the membership I've been spending more time actually using the library and wondering how I got by without it. I don't care what anyone says, there's is one good solid reason, aside form good of the community etc., that every person should have a library membership: Free movie rentals.

Working like a dog - Remember a little while back I mentioned i'd be taking on a little part time job for a little extra pay to supplement my writing. Hahahahahahaha. Part time is now exceeding 40 hours. I like the job, so I'm not complaining.

Business opportunities? - An unexpected business offer came form an unexpected source recently. If I go through with this it could really shake things up in my life, hopefully for the better. I'm looking at devoting more attention to that in the near future and exploring the possibilities. If anything comes of it you'll read bout it here,

King David layed low - Yes I know "layed" is incorrect. Anyway, seriously, and the biggest, like 95% of the reason I've not been around is that Pam's dad has been in the hospital. At one point it did not look like he was going to make it. Over the last couple weeks he's made an amazing recovery and is getting around now, but still hospitalized. We've spent much of our time in the last few weeks visiting his bedside. He's expected to come home soon though.

House in disarray - Since we've only been home to work and sleep and spent the rest of our time out of town visiting Dave in the hospital the house turned into a wasteland. For weeks wihtout any time for cleaning grabage and dishes and pet hair and laundry and general nastiness has pilled up. I've been using the time that I do have off work to clean and today I've finally turned the corner and have 90% of it caught up, allowing us to move about the house and get on the computer. It's a challenge since Dave's dog has been living with us too. She's a handful on top of the pets we already have. I'm weeks behind on my freelance work and now I'll have to try and get caught up as quickly as possible on that.

Posted by: lightning at 19:58 | link | comments
bitching, random stuff, life updates

Bikini Booty Camp!

Okay, so it’s quite obvious that I’m not interested in a bikini booty camp, I really have no interest in stuffing my manhood and hairy thighs into a thong. Pam however is quite interested.

She isn’t doing it so much for the bikini booty as the wedding booty, she wants to get into shape for our wedding this August. Anyone coming might want to get into shape at the ceremony is being held in a location in the Rocky Mountains that you have to hike to. Too bad they don't have a flabby writer boot camp.

Anyway, it’s a great deal because your get a free workout book and it’s being held at 13 outdoor locations all over Ontario.

It’s all a part of the Toronto boot camp, but since there are multiple locations you can attend one close to you. There’s a Burlington boot camp, a Mississauga boot camp, and more. Check the website for locations.

The benefits aren’t all just for her though. She’s done one course already and last night we also signed up for a kickboxing class together at the local fitness centre and did our first class, so I guess my flabby butt might be in better shape soon too.

Posted by: lightning at 09:55 | link | comments
life updates, neat stuff, helpful tips

The yin and the yang is ever present

Okay, I'm not going to pisss and moan, but here's what's been happening.

In the last few weeks I've had my identity stolen, my computer got fried, and because of these things I missed a number of communications, interviews and payments necessary for my business, just one of them being my eBay account was suspended.

However...

The computer is fixed now, everything is working right except one of my printers. I believe it has a pen jammed in it. Don't ask.

My identity is now secure again and all my money was returned.

In the process Pam and I were able to mutually make arrangements to get all our old outstanding debts paid off before we get married, which is awesome, we haven't finished paying them all off, but we will.

Plus, some exciting new business prospects and plans are begining to gel and may in fact bring more and more success in the future.

I even don't hate my new job.

So all in all, although it was hell we are actually coing out of it on the other side further ahead than when we went into this whole mess.

Now All I have to do is find a way to tell my new job that I want about 15 days off in the month of August...

Posted by: lightning at 14:36 | link | comments
bitching, rambles, life updates, oddities

What the frig!?

Maybe I'm the last person to know about this, but I was reading this article the other day about a man in Maryland who went driving drunk late at night (Dec. 30th 2007) , plowed into a family van and wiped them all out except one (6 or 7 victims I think) with no injury to himself and he's pleading innocent.

It's a really sad and horrible story. I feel horrible for that family and all the kids that were killed.

The guy's name? Michael Gagnon!

No it's not me, we just have the same name, I live in Canada, not Maryland.

Holy jeezus, I didn't even do anything and I feel ashamed. I'm afraid I'll get hate mail.

Well I'm used to that, but still...sometimes I think my daily life is a big hate mail message from God.

Posted by: lightning at 15:51 | link | comments (2)
news, society, bitching, rambles, surprises, oddities

It's a Mike sales event!

Hey just a heads up to all you collectibles fans. There's only one day left in the March Madness sales at my Graphic Novel Depot eBay Store.

Everything is 60% off until 11 pm tomorrow night!

Comics, graphic novels, toys, movies. Check it out  at  www.graphicnoveldepot.com.

Posted by: lightning at 20:13 | link | comments
websites, life updates, neat stuff

AuthorHouse Makes a Nice Product

If anyone out there knows about my history in the publishing business, you know it’s a subject that I don’t often talk about in my blog. I admit at times I’ll even avoid it 

As a freelance writer that interviews a lot of writers, artists, and celebrities I get a lot of sample books for review. 

This week I got a sample book from a self-published author who had used the services of/is represented by AuthorHouse.

Posted by: lightning at 11:52 | link | comments
publishing, random stuff, writing industry, surprises, helpful tips

Thursday, February 28, 2008

My life is so weird.

It's not like I should be surprised at all.

Now that I've shifted from focusing solely on writing and am taking on a side job that takes some of my time, my professional career and writing is starting to gain momentum again. I'm getting all kinds of really good leads and ideas to increase exposure for my work are falling into my lap.

I think this may be a sign. I actually do better when I'm not obsessing on my professional career.

I'm such a head case.

I'm not going to complain about it, or give out all the details now because i don't want to jinx it, which also happens to me often.

If you're interested in my life/career/writing projects you'll just have to stay tuned.

Posted by: lightning at 21:46 | link | comments (2)
bitching, rambles, life updates, oddities

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

New York, New York

Recently, I wrote an article about New York for a client. I've also been thinking about moving elseswhere to get away.

Inevitably those two things have blended together and I now find myself daydreaming about moving to Manhattan and starting a new life there.

The largest real estate company in New York is Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate, and they specialize in North Fork real estate, but can help with places in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Long Island, and everywhere else in the region too.

They've got a very quick and interactive website and I'm impressed with how fast it runs with the amount of graphics, and with the amount of info, features and listings found there.

If things work out over the next six months I may just be calling them, either way if anyone else out there is thinking of moving to New York, you may want to contact them and bookmark this blog entry or their web page for future reference.

Posted by: lightning at 22:55 | link | comments
random stuff, life updates, day dreams, helpful tips

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