Friday October 22

It was another successful day in the life of A.C. Hall today. I woke up, did some administrative work on Hall Brothers, and found we have a lot to accomplish in the coming month. Our first book will be published in the first week of December, with the second book following just a few months later, so we've found ourselves up against some tight deadlines getting all of that together. It's a fun and awesome challenge though, and I'm so excited to get these projects in my hand.

While I was working on all of that, my roommate/best friend got home from work and it turns out he wasn't having the best day. So we hung out for a while and talked and then played a card game. After that I'm honestly not positive what I did. Maybe played PS3 baseball or something? Regardless, the hours blazed past and before I knew it I needed to get ready to go cover high school football. I wasn't feeling very well, plus I was bummed to be missing the Rangers game, but I headed out. Turns out I had a fun night. The game went well for the home team and I again got put on the air during the radio show. This time I was doing color commentary for the last part of the 3rd quarter and some of the 4th. I wasn't talking quite loud enough (my mom said that I sounded like a little kid, hahaha) but other than that I was pleased with how it went. I'm getting comfortable because I'll be doing a full game in a few weeks and I need to be ready. My performance was still a bit robotic but it was devoid of the "uh" and "um" repetition that seriously marred my earliest radio appearances. So that was fun.

After the game, of course it was all about the Texas Rangers. I don't have a whole lot to say about it tonight. I followed the team very closely this year, went to several games at the stadium, and this is just a special team to me. Those who don't get deep into sports don't understand, and that's okay, but those that do know what I mean when I talk about just how special and meaningful this night was for me as a fan. I bought in to this team and these players, I was a part of their journey, and to have the Texas Rangers heading to the World Series is just an unfathomable dream come true. I'm especially happy for my dad and grandpa, both of whom have been such long time fans through all of the years of terrible teams. I went by to see them after the football game and my dad was re-watching the final inning. I have no problem telling you that I teared up sitting there experiencing it with him. What a special moment for this team, for this town, and for all of the fans. Just so awesome and amazing that our Texas Rangers are going to the World Series. It seems surreal to keep typing it.

So after that I came home and talked with my roommate and his big brother for a bit. Then I watched the recorded game, or at least the best parts. So awesome, and so wonderful for it to be the awful, evil Yankees that we beat to get there. Like most self respecting sports fans, I hate the Yankees and it seems poetic that we crushed them on our way to the top. Hearing the fans chant for Colby Lewis in the 8th inning was awesome, and watching Neftali dominate the Yankee batters in the 9th was awesome. Such an awesome experience.

And that was pretty much that for my day. I've now retired to my room, where I'm sitting in the pitch black darkness listening to the new Kings of Leon album, wide awake, even though I should be long since asleep. I'm probably going to read some submissions for the newest Hall Brothers Entertainment short story anthology and then watch a few episodes of Community season 1. It feels like a special night to be alive.

And for the picture of the night, this one says it all.

Thursday October 21

While I won't be making any grand promises to keep this blog daily (as I did last year and was not able to keep up), I do feel a bit out of touch these days. And I think blogging more often will help, so here I am.

I'm a little sick, and that stinks. I've got some projects to write for Hall Brothers Entertainment but I'm awful at writing when I don't feel good. It just doesn't quite flow correctly for me. But, after writing two novels back to back (Black Badge from June to July, Scrolls from August to September), it's not the biggest deal in the world to move a little more slowly right now.

For the most part I had a really great day. Woke up early, got some work done, finally got around to sending off my entire savings account to Uncle Sam. That didn't make me happy, but that's life I guess and now I wan't have the massive 2009 tax bill hanging over my head. I then went to spend a little time with my family. I haven't seen them much the past week since I've been feeling under the weather and it was amazing to get to be around them, even for just a short time. Even though I tell them all the time I really don't think they all understand just how much I love each of them. Some people live far from their family, or aren't close with their family, but being near them and close to them is like breathing for me. I can't imagine life any other way.

So, anyways, that was really nice. Got to see my nephews and help a little with their home school lessons of the day. I'm blown away by how smart they're all getting. One day they're little kids and the next they're explaining to you what a subject is in a sentence and the difference between nouns and verbs. It's insane.

After that I ran a few places. Blockbuster, Albertson's, Wal-Mart to get some medicine for my headcold thing that is haunting me. Then home, where something a little disturbing happened.

Bloggers note: Originally I had a massive thousand word rant here about local politics. Upon using my brain I decided it probably isn't the most professional thing in the world to leave it up on a public forum such as blogger, so I've removed it. However, I stand by it and would gladly share it with any of my friends or family who wish to know about it. Just ask me or email me or facebook message me and I'll send it to you. And now we resume the regularly scheduled blog post.

And seeing as I just went on a massive rant, I'll wrap the rest of this up quickly. Rested at home, watched television, ran to the bookstore, came back home, hung out with my roommate and his brother and had a pleasant time doing so, then retired to my room to answer emails and write this blog. I'm hoping I feel better tomorrow, as I've got a busy day ahead of me.

It seems fitting for the picture of the day to be of me, taken just a few minutes ago, looking every bit as ill and exhausted as I currently am.