It certainly feels like it’s been ages since my last post, which makes sense since I dropped off of the planet (from a blogging and social media standpoint, at least) after the hundred days of blogging finished up. Thanksgiving reminded me of the many things I have to be thankful for, and Black Friday reminded me that people are absolutely, completely, and irredeemably insane at times (but not all of them, so at least there’s that). I somehow, to the surprise of quite a few people, lived through another trip around the sun. I’m now a year closer to thirty, which feels a bit odd to say because my childhood goal-mapping said by this point I would either be a sagely old man dispensing wisdom or an all-powerful overlord of all creation, but I appear to be neither. Maybe that’s for later in the year.

Speaking of birthday things, this seems like the appropriate point to share one of the presents I got. This is a gift my sister gave me.

She knows me so well.

I traveled home for Thanksgiving to enjoy the company of my sister, a now-native New Yorker and employee at Fox Entertainment (views in this blog are obviously not said sister’s, nor can she take responsibility for how much of a gigantic idiot I am), and my brother-ish friend Jason were here, and so it was a nice family gathering that needed extending. Let me just take a moment to comment on how proud I am of both of them, as my sister is working a dream-job and my brother is a home-owner. Those crazy kids grew up so damned fast or something.

I returned to Altoona, worked on Black Friday, and meandered back to Carnegie for more shenanigans. I also received an early Christmas gift in the form of my domain being renewed (rent is due and I was going to put it off, but the off chance that Misadventures In Fiction would get scooped up did not sit well with me). This has been a good weekend that has left me semi-refreshed, but tired enough to wish that people could hibernate without the risk of employment termination.

However, in light of hibernation not really being a viable option, I’m planning to get back to work on writing regularly. I’ve received a little news on Joshua Harkin and the Wicked Nightmare King, including how I managed to omit a Chapter 10 header (womp womp). The ideas happen occasionally, but the time between working and preparing for the craziness of Christmas haven’t given much time to actually accomplish those writing goals. Did I mention Warlords of Draenor launched? Because my Warlock is level 100 and a great example of how I suck at managing my priorities. There’s also the small matters of me updating my resume so I can begin the long, terrifying process of researching grad schools. Please note, grad schools: I am just as willing to accept applications from anyone interested in having the honor of my presence as a student, but I would have to show preference to any unexpected employment opportunities from Blizzard’s writing department. That last sentence is riddled with delusions of grandeur.

As much as I’d like to add more to this post, I have a two hour drive ahead of me before I can call the night truly over, and I work far too early tomorrow for my tastes. I hope you all had a very enjoyable Thanksgiving (and were all offered strong reminders that there is much to be thankful for, even on the days when life feels like it is full of suck and disappointment).