Fixin to get ready

I am fond of saying, “So much mischief and so little time.”  Well, 2018 is becoming a perfect example of time being fleeting.  Honestly, March is nearly over and there is still so much to do it is amazing.  It is not like we have been sleeping or goofing off in the secret super villain lair.  On the contrary, the machinations have been working overtime.  I had been steadily clearing projects from the lovely surface of The Desk Of Endless Tasks.  However, the nice people on the other end are all getting their parts done at the same time so here comes the return wave.  Happily, this means we are getting closer to fulfilling the demands of The Amazing Society of Done.  I do like the sound of that.

Once the current work load is done, it shall be my turn to return to keyboard in the name of my own efforts.  Just so much mischief to get out of my head and onto the pages.

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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZeqwiRmndPqhU_ifBYuvfg

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Living on Convention Time

MidSouthCon 36 (http://www.midsouthcon.org) was this weekend.  This just so happens to be the first convention I ever attended and I have actually made it to 35 of the 36 shows.  During those years, I have also attended hundreds of conventions across the country.  Some are better than others and a few are truly in the extreme category.   My point here is that if you are a fan of anything in geek culture from hard science to animated fantasy stories, you really should go and support your local conventions.  When I am doing appearances at venues other than conventions, I always get asked what the conventions are like as a guest.  Okay- here we go.

As a performing guest, you get a schedule of events  that the convention wants you to do.  Normally, I get one or two big events coupled with several panel appearances.  This normally shows up in the email before the event.  If the event is out of town, There is the joy of loading up all the goodies you are going to need for the weekend.  In my case, this includes books, freebies, postcards, flyers, and occasionally props like werewolf teeth or magic wands.  It is important to make sure you are ready for odd panels.  Normally, I arrive at the convention after a nice drive of about six hours or so and dash in for my first panel just in the nick of time.  The rest of my weekend is a  mix of meeting with fans both old and new, hurried conferences with other performers, and the well-practiced  art of dashing into my next panel just in time.

There a few things to keep in mind at a convention.  If you like art, chances are that the actual artist is sitting there at their booth and will chat with you and sign their art piece.  That writer you wanted to meet might be at the writers table and happy to share a story or two time allowing.  You will find someone willing to have a conversation about nearly any topic under the stars.  You will make great new friends that can’t wait to see you at the next convention.  Attend one convention and you may even find yourself thinking up your cos-play for the next one.  The point is that you should go and enjoy yourself.

Don’t forget the new Dark Oak Press and Media YouTube channel.  We are adding content as fast we can get out there and shoot it.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZeqwiRmndPqhU_ifBYuvfg

http://www.darkoakpress.com 
http://www.geektankradio.com 
http://www.cafepress.com/gtrmerchandise

 

Such a lovely full moon …

After another couple of days of complete downpours, the skies finally cleared and this evening we had one the best rising full moons I have seen in years.  Such a wonderful evening after so much rain.

Don’t forget MidSouthCon (www.midsouthcon.org) next weekend (March  9-11) at the Hilton off Poplar and I-240.  Come out and join the madness.  If you have never been to a fandom convention before, this is a great place to come out and find out what it is all about.  If nothing else make to “Dark and Stormy Night”  on Sunday afternoon, I promise it is worth it.

I had a wonderful time with a couple of friends from Grace Healthcare chatting about medical science and levels of care.  Listen in:
http://www.darkoakpress.com/media/gtrgrace.mp3

Don’t forget the new Dark Oak Press and Media YouTube channel.  We are adding content as fast we can get out there and shoot it.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZeqwiRmndPqhU_ifBYuvfg

http://www.darkoakpress.com 
http://www.geektankradio.com 
http://www.cafepress.com/gtrmerchandise

 

 

Is it the monsoon season already?

I ask because it is still raining.  Now, it is not some kind of wild thunder blizzard, it is just raining – raining – raining – did I mention still raining ….  We can safely say the the Mid-South is well watered in.  Even though I know better, and yes, there will be another cold spell, I have started my spring planting.  Maybe I could consider a rice paddy section in the yard?

My tank of tiny minions is doing quite well.  The new food seems to be doing the trick and the little swimming dots are starting to look like brine shrimp.  Hopefully, they will be big enough to photograph next week.

The Desk of Endless Tasks and I are making some pretty progress in editing and pagination.  This means new stuff coming.

My dear friends at Malice in Memphis have decided what they really want to do right now is hold a writing contest with yours truly as a final judge.  I feel my inner Simon bubbling to the surface.  Check it out here:
https://www.maliceinmemphis.com/hit-me-with-your-best-shot-contest.html

If you haven’t seen the new stuff at the Dark Oak Press and Media YouTube channel, do check it out and Subscribe.  We got more cool stuff coming.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZeqwiRmndPqhU_ifBYuvfg

Here is one the new shows from Haunted New Orleans.  I love the legends down there!

Hello media editing …

Somehow or another, it always seems to be pushing midnight when I finally get to start wrapping up my day.  It has been another overly full week.  I keep telling myself the same lie that sooner or later things will calm down.  If I tell myself this enough, I might even delude myself into believing me.  We all know that is not always the best idea, but one does have to dream.

Geek Tank Radio was a massive show this morning, but we managed to get through it all pretty darn well.  The new show should post by Monday.

After wandering through a few YouTube videos, I bought the brine shrimp/sea monkeys some spirulina.  It is a lovely blue-green algae in powered form so the little devils should enjoy it.

I got a full edit done on the next Dark Oak Press release.  More wonderful mayhem in on the way from the infamous Malice in Memphis mystery writers group.

Pirate Fight Club is rolling along nicely.  Had a small group this week, so we all got in a bit of a sweat working on basics.

MidSouthCon (www.midsouthcon.org) is coming up the weekend of March 9th.  This is my very first convention I attended 36 years ago.  I have attended 34 out of the 35 conventions so far.  Not a bad track record.

And just for fun, I finally finished the format for the Question X research show.  You can check out the first episode here:

http://www.darkoakpress.com 
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http://www.cafepress.com/gtrmerchandise

Back At The Desk

I have had a very nice night so far with my lovely Desk of Endless Tasks.  A descent sized clean spot has been made in the “To Do” pile.  There is a wonderful feeling to just clearing the time to sit down and just plain and simple get to the tasks stuck in your head.  If you are like me, an over due has a way of getting stuck in my mind and stays there until done.  Even if I am not sure how it is supposed to be done, that doesn’t matter, it just needs to be done.  Bills have been paid and emails answered.  Images have been made and updates uploaded.  New promos have been uploaded and new video materials have been edited.  All in all, a lovely night indeed.

This weeks Geek Tank Radio show was a lot of fun because I had been challenged to cook a Star Wars dish for Geek Eats.  I was dared to cook a porg, the bird/hamster  looking thing from the movie.  After watching the scene, I figured I could replicate the shape with a rock corning game hen.  So I thawed one out and split it in half and ran each half up a skewer from the shin up and out past the wing.  I then made sure that they were stretched out into the proper shape.  Seasoned them with a bit of lemon pepper and french tarragon, then they got baked for 30 minutes at 350f.  The Geek Patrol got past the “cute” factor and a little roast porg was enjoyed live on the show.

Just a reminder: buy my books – it supports my further adventures 🙂

http://www.darkoakpress.com/galenrev.html

Galen is the story of an ancient vampire and the two women who enter his life. The first, Maggie, is determined to destroy him in the name of revenge. The second, Brenda, is seduced into the life of the living vampire. Their interactions make for a suspenseful and erotic ride through Galen’s dark world.

Allan Gilbreath takes the classic vampire motif to a whole new level. He spins the familiar legends into a distinctive shape. What really makes this novel work is Gilbreath’s astounding attention to detail. Even the most mundane scenes shimmer with a luxurious light, and the entire story overflows with sensual imagery.

Allan Gilbreath links fantasy with danger and satisfaction with death to excellent effect, and the plot tension between the various characters sets a wonderful stage for the little details that bring it all to life. Galen holds great interest for fans of horror and romance, especially with the kinky edge that characterizes the best vampire erotica.

http://www.darkoakpress.com 
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http://www.cafepress.com/gtrmerchandise

Time is fleeting …

2018 is already flying by.  As I sit here at The Desk of Endless Tasks editing a few more shows for the Dark Oak Press and Media YouTube channel, I see the calendar is further along than I would have thought.  We are already up to mid February.  March is just a few scant weeks away.  My goodness.  At least it will be spring and a bit warmer befroe we know it.

Wow,  thank you all for the amazing response to our update Dark Oak Press and Media YouTube channel. (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZeqwiRmndPqhU_ifBYuvfg).  If you are interested in New Orleans, check out Haunted New Orleans.  If you are a bit more for comedy, check out Retro Radio.  If you are a new writer, check out All About Writing.  Don’t worry, we have more content in the works.

Just a reminder, while I am working on new stories, please enjoy my last book.

http://www.darkoakpress.com/allanstory.html

*Discover 19 extraordinary stories ranging from dark fantasy to science fiction and steampunk. Allan Gilbreath has created a stimulating collection of possessed raccoons, doubtful demons, secret potions, Hellish mornings, murderous black holes, dangerous missions, miniature dragons, fake vampires, real ducks, and a cranky detective. This collection showcases Allan’s astounding attention to detail and the sensual imagery his works are famous for.

The Stories:
My House – Enjoy a new house complete with a demonic raccoon.
The Little Demon Doubt – Infidelity and a knife thrower.
Afternoon Lemonade – How to straighten out those pesky teenagers.
By The Numbers – Why you should always stick to the plan.
Just Beneath the Surface – Are you doing the right thing for all the wrong reasons?
Good Intentions – As a matter of fact, the road to Hell is paved by the Good Intentions Paving Company.
Time To Come Out And Play – How do you find something you don’t believe in?
Twilight’s Last Gleaming – If you could travel in time, could you just sit by and watch?
First Impression – How do you make a good first impression with an alien species?
The Glamour Of It All – Now you know how those interstellar cruise ships stay so squeaky clean.
Origins – Accidents and dragons do happen.
Anatidaephobia – Two nuns and a vampire with duck under his arm walk into a bar …
Mr. Crump Don’t Like It – Never play where you get the pay.
The Tale Of Two Shelves – You never know what you can do yourself.
The Smile – A touching moment can happen at any time.
An Odd Demise – A locked room and spontaneous human combustion mystery.
Lepus Europaeus – Jack Lago tries to unravel an Easter mystery.
Toradh Of The Gem – Jack Lago solves the case of thieving faeries.
The Abere – Jack Lago and the beautiful man-eating crocodile woman.

http://www.darkoakpress.com 
http://www.geektankradio.com 
http://www.cafepress.com/gtrmerchandise