phywriter.com|Prone to occasional grandiloquence

The obituary for Linda’s brother Charles is up at the Clovis News Journal online:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/cnjonline/obituary.aspx?n=charles-dean-widner&pid=133116221

I added the following memory of Uncle Charles at the site:

Linda Widner and Charles had a special relationship, and Charles was very protective of his little sis. When I started dating Linda Widner in the mid-80s, I was concerned about three things; offending God, disappointed her parents (the Bobs), and antagonizing Uncle Charles.

What I remember about Charles was his sense of humor, his ability to do practically /anything/ (I still remember the time we walked around the Bob’s home in Conchas Dam and nearly stepped on a rattlesnake sunning itself – we backed up real slow and careful-like, and Linda’s dad came and took off the head of the snake with a shovel. Charles skinned the snake and made me a belt).

In recent years, Charles drove truck over-the-road and stopped by to visit us in Wisconsin where we live. We met him at a truck stop on his way through and had a nice meal. We talked about laptop computers and his uncertain view of the future.

Not long after that, he suffered a physical ailment while driving his truck and nearly died. Family and friends flocked to his side but it was touch-and-go there for awhile. Later, as he slowly recovered, he squared things with the Lord. After recuperating with Bob and Bobbie, he was happy to get his own house in Clovis. I understand he enjoyed inviting people to go to church with him.

Charles called us a week ago Saturday out of the blue. We chatted briefly and I gave the phone to Linda. They chatted for thirty minutes. I haven’t seen Linda so happy in quite some time. Because we live in Wisconsin, Charles comically chastised me for not being out fishin’. He was intelligent, funny (in his own way), a heckuva cook, and as fierce an ally as a person could hope to have.

I never antagonized Charles with regard to taking care of his little sister—Linda and I celebrate our 24th anniversary this December. And I like to think that Charles is now in heaven, fishin’ with Jesus.

Copy and paste the list (including links) of speculative fiction ‘zines below to your blog or website (include this informative introduction as well). Add your ‘zine (and link). Any ‘zine of any size and format that publishes speculative fiction of any kind can take part. Let other people, especially people publishing ‘zines, know about the meme. And help publicize Support Our ‘Zines Day by linking back to: http://damiengwalter.wordpress.com/sozd/

Asmiov’s science fiction

Analog science fiction and fact

Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction

Ray Gun Revival magazine

MindFlights

Digital Dragon magazine

I used to read a lot. Voraciously. But I used to have neither television nor phone nor stereo, just a cassette tape boom box I got for High School graduation. Now, I have all these choices, and they all clamor for my attention.

This graphic is chilling. I realize the phrase ‘time management’ is a misnomer more correctly labeled as ‘self management,’ but the end result is the same. There are things I know I should change, but don’t currently know quite how.

http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/magazine/17-08/by_media_diet#

Balance your media diet

For the record, I have not bought any videogames for myself yet this autumn, despite there being some really interesting ones hitting the market. Also, having a built-in one hour commute each way each day to work gives time to listen to podcasts. However, I think the real answer to why I’m not reading is simply that I’m not carving time out for it on my calendar, and that’s a crying shame. And I’m a lifelong reader! What’s going on for those people whom we’re trying to woo to become readers? Are we losing them, or should we find ways to put reading material in front of them in places where they already are?

What’s clear is that things are changing right in front of our eyes, and the publishing industry had better change with it or perish. So far, I generally like what I see from Tor.com (as distinguished from Tor itself as a dead tree publishing house). Baen led the way, but he died, and I don’t know if they remain as relevant in the wake of his passing.