It's time for your Friday reality check! Trump is so weak and insecure, he had a childish tantrum about an escalator. He is in such severe cognitive decline, he can't pronounce "acetaminophen" or walk in a straight line. He's a rapist, a felon, and a national disgrace. Don't surrender in advance.

And to be clear, coming back from any city with a functional transit system always makes me sad when I get the immediate comparison to MARTA.

Back in the ATL waiting on MARTA. I'll give the MTA this: I never once smelled urine in an NYC subway station. Unlike what greeted us at the Arts Center MARTA station.

Hey! It's me!

So long, NYC! Next time, we'll fly up.

Announcement: train will be boarding at track 14. We go over to track 14, see "enter here for the corral and line up." 10m later, Amtrak guy comes over, forces us to move back to the enter here sign, and wait there. He apparently believed the sign meant we stand there until they tell us to move up.

10/10. No notes.

I second this in every way. Pay your artists.

Seriously, @hiltonhonors.bsky.social ? First, your app won't let me check in prior to arriving at my hotel, and now it's having login issues, so I can't use my digital key? Not a good look.

Took my daughter yo see her favorite musical last night in NYC. Her smile and joy made all the extra work worthwhile. We both agree, however, that if we make this trip again, we're flying.

1. Turns out caving to fascists is a terrible fucking business model, never cave to fascists, not even once 2. I am happy this is resolved because now I will be able to watch the final episode of Alien:Earth www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/j...

More nature! Because nature is good even when a lot of other shit is bad. Today's photo: a kingfisher with, well, a fish. Photo by me.

Things you find in luggage you haven't used in years....

TIL there's a casino in Danville, VA.

TIL just how together the MTA has it when it comes to paying fares. I guess it really doesn't surprise me, but looking into before my trip just reinforced it.

NGL, the let down after finish the first draft of The Thousand Doors has been real. I'm going to try and get some work done on the train to NYC tomorrow on a short story edit and get some words in on The Autumn Assassin. When I get back, I'll get the edits into the 2nd draft of TTD.

Things I forgot about honor mode. Boss fights are much harder. Went into the Owlbear fight and didn't even consider they'd add a second damned owlbear. Woops.

I think I have all the planning done I need for the trip to NYC with my daughter on Sunday. Train to NYC MET & Wicked Natural History Museum & Moulin Rouge Stonewall Inn Train home Just leaves food decisions while there.

I don't generally like pictures of myself, but this selfie turned out good in my opinion...

Belated birthday present from my mother.

I've been up since 430AM because my brain decided this was a grand idea. Ignoring, of course, that I have a network chance starting at 1130PM tonight that will likely run until 2AM.

The opening DJ set for NIN is making me majorly nostalgic for the Chamber.

Pre-show shot for NIN.

AJ Lee returned to the WWE last night. I don't think I've popped as much for someone's music hitting since Cult of Personality hit in AEW.

3 and out by Texas at home against a cupcake? And Arch almost threw an interception? It may be a long day in Austin.

While I'm pulling for my Chargers, I gotta give props for that clutch fire drill field goal by the Chiefs to close the half.

In addition to other things good about today, I also got a Caramel Apple Empanada from Taco Bell. And it was just as good as I remembered.

327/327 First editing pass done. Tomorrow, I'll save a new version of the manuscript and put in the changes. Then to get it ready for beta readers. #amwriting #writingcommunity #writersky #fantasy

We did the quiet update a couple of days ago, and now it's time for the big announcement: #FirstDraftFall year two is ON!! We have a new and improved schedule building on all the things we did last year Check it out if you're looking for something to replace the NaNoWriMo-shaped void in your soul

This is one of the highlights of my year now. If you're looking for a smaller con that feels like hanging out with friends all weekend while having fun and learning stuff, give it a look.

306/327. The end is in sight on this pass. I may do some more tonight switching between wrestling and football. #amwriting #writingcommunity #writersky #fantasy

One more chapter down. 278/327 pages. I realized today that I only have 6 chapters left (including today's), but they're all longer chapters. So I may slow to one a day. Regardless, the end is in sight. #amwriting #writingcommunity #writersky #fantasy

So pronunciation question: How do you pronounce quay?

Giancarlo Esposito, best known his role of "Man in Jail" in Trading Places.

Another query sent off into the ether. I got another pass, but I appreciate ones with a fast turn around (eyes some in my spreadsheet getting close to an anniversary. #amquerying #writersky #writingcommunity #fantasy

2.5 more chapters edited (about 25 pages). Slowly but surely getting there. Editing one of them reminded me just how much I love the voice of one of the minor antagonists in this book. #amwriting #writingcommunity #writersky #fantasy

Oh gods... I bought a full weekend pass for DragonCon 2026. This means I now need to do the hotel hunger games...

I have my manuscript next to me. I know I need to go back to going through it. My brain and heart just aren't into it today as I'm still recovering from D*C yesterday. Time to give myself some grace, veg in front of the TV, and get back to it tomorrow. Fingers crossed I can finish this pass soon.

100%

A full day at Dragon*Con on a day pass leaves a body tired. Today is about recovery, and I'm not going to beat myself up for not getting anything "productive" done. Right now is for watching Clash in Paris from last night before heading out to hit up the bookstore to pick up a pre-order.

Traps, Riddles, and Tricks panel with @bdavewalters.bsky.social at Dragon*Con.

Up and prepping to brave Dragon*Con. Definite kudos to my ex who was willing to brave the Cortland to get mine and our daughter's badges to have them when she meets us.

LSU/Clemson is looking like another defensive game like Texas/OSU, and I'm here for it.

Texas lost, UGA is winning, and Bama is losing. I also got two more chapters edited and, somehow, lucked into a $20 oil change today. Wrap that up with my girlfriend being here, and it's a pretty good day.

What the fuck is up with all the proselytizing signs in the background at college game day today? I don't think I've seen that many before.

This is a grade A dad joke.

Editing progress: 218 / 327 (27 of 40 chapters). The two for today were long ones. #writersky #writingcommunity #fantasy

Damn... no more print AJC after 2026. I get it, but it's still the end of an era.

How likely am I to use the word likely in a first draft? Very (likely). This is likely brought to you by the chapter I'm currently editing.