Jason Smith Re-dough: Rap icon, and firejumper

Posted on May 14, 2014 by admin

I’ve been hearing rumors that Jason, videographer extraordinaire, was either being sought for questioning or was doing something cool (usually the two go together). Time to check in:

1. So, how ya been?

Well, since we last spoke I became a rap icon (in Sweden), bought a zoo, cloned myself, but decided there could only be one of me, so I dueled myself, won, then sold the zoo, ditched the rap game (just wasn’t my thing, you know?), and now I’m here.

2. Does your mother know where you are?

I think, but don’t tell her about the zoo.

3. What’s the latest on Losing Cable 2?

I spoke with the mystics, threw some chicken bones, and can now tell you that throughout the summer, and also Spring kind-of, the rest of the series will be airing. Episode 5 is launching this week with new episodes launching bi-weekly-ish thereafter until the well runs dry. The end is upon us!

4. Looks like you’ve got another series going. Tell us about it.

Yeah so there’s this brand spankin’ new doc series called Burn Season coming out late summer, which follows Wildland Firefighters lighting prescribed, or “controlled,” fires. Basically these guys go out, start forest fires, then promptly put out said forest fires by day’s end. I went through their training to be able to jump in with them and follow them through their burn season, which was a blast.

5. Blockbusters versus indie films. Your thoughts?

I’m a sci-fi nerd, so blockbusters are my jam, but I always need to balance out Godzilla with some Jarmusch, or Steve McQueen. Keeps you humble. Less manic.

6. One of the toughest things in this writing/movie-making/music video business is getting noticed. Other than some spectacularly overwrought felony, how do you do it? (Really, how do you do it? I’m at a loss, myself).

I mean, it used to be simple. You’d do a movie, get coked up, crash your car into a hospital lobby, and suddenly you’re a hit celebrity. Nowadays everyone’s doing that, so us indie filmmakers have to think outside the box. Right now my strategy is, “Just make good shit. If you build it, they will come,” but even that’s super tough. Everyone is doing something these days, so to stand out you literally have to make some of the greatest stuff anyone will ever see. You have to sacrifice money, time, everything to do that great thing. OR you just know the right person. Preferably a person with infinite pockets filled with diamonds and gold and George Lucas.

7. Trevor Ford’s facial expression at “That’s my script!” is outstanding. Did you hit him with a taser or something?

I made him do that probably fifteen times. Maybe more. Watch for the blooper reel of that soon. It’s the best. It might break the internet.

8. Lord Nuggi. What’s his deal?

You think you know Nuggi, but you don’t. That’s why I’m so pumped about launching more episodes. People keep saying, “Yeah man, really love the episodes so far, love that space stuff,” but the story has hardly kicked off. Shit gets so real so quick. You’ll start seeing that shift in Episode 5. Everything starts clicking into place.

9. Any film festivals, contests, independent networks in your future?

Great question. Nope, but I’d be down to send it around. Right now I’m tunnel visioned on that final launch of Episode 9 in July. After that, sky’s the limit. I mean I’m sending it to Cannes at least, duh.

10. Can you recite the alphabet backwards?

A: Greater men have tried and failed.

Posted in Northward Advance | Comments Off

Cat Connor Redux: Updates and a history lesson

Posted on April 27, 2014 by admin

The lovely, the talented, and bikini-less Cat Connor has graced these pages with another interview:

1. We’ve been hearing rumors of new books. What are these rumors?

I, too, have heard the rumors…actually there is a good chance that I started them? New books, where to begin?

Lemme see – I’m pretty sure that since we last talked the paperback versions of Torrent, Archive, and Snakebyte received new covers and newly edited contents. I released my third short story collection, Array,

which contains 12 new byte shorts and four non-byte shorts—currently only available in paperback—yeah, yeah, I’m getting to the digital versions. I have a short story in the British anthology, Tales of the Fox and Fae by Fox Spirit and, also, in The Girl at the End of the World anthology by Fox Spirit. It’s quite a buzz being asked to write for anthologies. For The Girl at the End of the World antho, I was specifically asked to write an SSA Conway short story, so that was a lot of fun.

AND the big news … Databyte – the sixth byte novel is now available (prior to the official release on June 13), currently available in paperback only.

Here’s the blurb:

When information becomes misinformation how much of what you see should you believe?

When information becomes misinformation, the result is mayhem for Supervisory Special Agent Ellie Conway. Wanted for a murder she didn’t commit and on the run from the FBI, seemingly irrefutable evidence against her mounts at an alarming rate. The life of an actor with close ties to Delta A hangs in the balance and Ellie must also protect him, while trying to catch the real killer. Her only hope at returning to her life rests on her innate ability to see the truth.

Also…Killerbyte has had a facelift and new edit.

Both Databyte and Killerbyte will be launched officially on June 13 at Upper Hutt Library. Exciting!! You coming?

2. Rumors of poetry exist. Are dirty limericks involved?

Yeah nah, I don’t really do poetry. I know nothing about poetry, but I know what I like and I know what works for me.

In Killerbyte, Ellie’s brother steals her poetry (and Mac’s poetry) and publishes said poetry in book format. That book is titled Whispers in the Water. It’s mentioned in a few of the byte books, as Ellie and Mac used the proceeds (it was a best seller, of course!) to fund The Butterfly Foundation – to support the children of mentally ill parents.

Earlier this year my lovely 15-year-old daughter, The Girl Wonder (formerly known as Weather-Girl, formerly known as Squealer), said I should put all the poems from the byte novels into a book—just like the book in the series. I questioned her wisdom on this and she informed me she wanted to be able to read them. Fair enough. So, I pulled the poetry from a PDF that had lurked on my website untouched for years and gathered all the poems from scraps of paper and all the poems written for various byte novels (both published and as yet unpublished)…the result about 76 poems. I’m in no way saying any of them are good, because (see above) I know shit all about poetry. For the most part they’re fairly dark and a little scary maybe…Ellie’s life is often dark and scary, so you can’t expect fluffy clouds and unicorns, can you now?

Sadly, no dirty limericks, but there are a few poems that contain a bit of heat. And a couple that I wrote after visiting a particular battle field, which make me smile because I remember how much fun I had and how much I learned. We’ll always have Antietam. (See how I didn’t mention sausages?) [Admin note: Private joke. Shall remain a private joke]

3. Cast an eye upon the self-publishing world and give us your take.

That’s a big ask. It’s kinda like you asking me to hold a grenade while watching you throw the pin away. No matter what I say it’s still going to go bang and I’ll end up a sticky red mess.

I think it’s too easy for people to self-publish and quality control is sadly lacking. As much as the idea of a gatekeeper irks…gatekeepers are necessary to prevent drivel cluttering the world.

4. Now cast an eye on trad pub’ing and hold forth.

Are you serious? See above!

Okay, sticky red mess here I come…I still like trad pub’ing but I think the trad publishing houses need to join the real world. Digital versions of books should not cost more than $6 ever. Yet the big houses are selling kindle versions for about $10 (sometimes a lot more) and often the paperback is only $12. Ridiculous. Just recently I saw a kindle version of a book I wanted (non-fiction) for $60. Really? Get a grip you greedy buggers.

5. Any other projects pending?

Pending projects: Eraserbyte was dropped onto my editor’s desk in Feb. It’s the 7^th full length byte novel and it will find its way into the world next year sometime. This is the book that was loosely based on a trip to D.C. with the admins; for a while it was called ‘adminbyte.’ Tricky to write at times but I got there in the end! You might find some of the characters ever so slightly familiar. Something to keep in mind.

I’m working on a secret project. It’s big and time consuming and a whole different thing to what I’m used to, so, taking it slow and working my way through the process and actually enjoying it when I get a chance to sit with it for a bit.

Also toying with a novella length work with SSA Kurt Henderson as the main character. I’ve been messing with this idea for a while now. I’ve a decent amount written but it’s tricksy so I’m taking my time. Of all the Delta men, he’s probably the easiest for me to write but he’s still a guy and I am not. Challenging!

But wait there’s more … the 8^th byte novel: Psychobyte. And, yes, it is what it sounds like. Only about 15 chapters into Psychobyte so I have no idea where it’s going to end up but so far its masses of fun. A few things have cropped up that I expected but not in this book and that always makes writing interesting. And then there is the one thing I didn’t see coming and crikey that’s really put the cat among the pigeons.

6. How far do you see the byte series going?

Short answer: I have no idea how far it will go.

Sometimes I try to envisage the end of the series…and then Ellie smacks me upside the head and tells me to get back to work.

I know how it will end because there’s only one way this can end. But I don’t know how we will get there or when. To be honest, I thought Eraserbyte might have been it. There was a helicopter crash and I couldn’t hear Ellie any more. Luckily, she was okayish. A joke was made soon after that (well I think he was joking) that Mitch will end up with his own series spin off. Who knows? Who’s Mitch? Read Snakebyte, you’ll find out who Mitch is.

7. Are you guys having the same crappy winter we did?

No, not yet anyway. It’s autumn, and it’s crappy…but better than our shitty summer!

8. Didn’t St. Patrick drive the snakes out of New Zealand?

He must have, we have no snakes. That we’ve never had snakes seems irrelevant? Obviously St. Patrick was a clever bugger and got rid of the snakes before we even knew we had them.

9. Besides, Ellie Conway, who’s your favorite Byte character?

That’s quite an unfair question. It’s like asking me to pick my favorite child!

When it comes to the cast of the Byte Series, I love them all equally yet different. I couldn’t imagine Delta without Sam, Lee, and Kurt. I really like Caine (always have liked grumpy older men)—he makes me laugh. Sean O’Hare is all kinds of cool. And there have been a few interesting characters who stuck around for a while, like Mac (hard not to love Mac), and Rowan (something about rock stars…) and Mitch (he’s not going anywhere in a hurry) and Mike (hmmm, Mike)…okay, if I absolutely had to choose only one (apart from Ellie) it would have to be…SSA Kurt Henderson.

10. The history of New Zealand in 25 words or less:

As with North America…the British came and did what they did best: took lands, caused upheaval, spread disease.

The time line looks a little like this:

The Maori reached New Zealand in about A.D. 800.

The first European explorer to sight New Zealand was Abel Tasman on 13 December 1642. Captain James Cook, reached New Zealand in October 1769 on the first of his three voyages and was the first European explorer to circumnavigate and map New Zealand.

Colonization began in earnest around 1840 – also the year the Treaty of Waitangi was signed.

A series of land wars between 1843 and 1872 ended with the defeat of the Maori.

On 19 September 1893 NZ became the first country to grant women the right to vote.

The British colony of New Zealand became an independent dominion in 1907 and supported the UK militarily in both World Wars. (And so forth.)

Posted in Interviews, Writing itself | 1 Comment

Ho. Lee. Cap!

Posted on April 20, 2014 by admin

Finally went to see the new Captain America. It was out-freakin’-standing, better than the first one, which had a lot of annoying stop-action fighting sequences that interrupted the flow. Not this time. This was Cap kickin’ A and takin’ names.

And, boy, talk about kickin’ A. Whoever did the shield-throw effects deserves a bonus, because they looked exactly what you’d expect from ten pounds of vibranium smacking into someone at 125 mph. And further bonuses to whoever orchestrated that jaw-dropping fight-and-chase through the streets of DC (although, gotta say, I’ve experienced similar rush hours there).

Cap fought like Cap, overall. He used a fighting style reminiscent of 1940’s boxing and wrestling, although a lot of modern elements creeped in here and there, like that ridiculous leg-spin-on-the-neck, which is a hallmark of the Black Widow’s style more than anyone’s. Understandable. Cap probably picked up a move or two from Widow, who fights with a combination of Krav Maga and Hapkido. I’m glad that the Russo Brothers chose to keep Cap’s style distinct from hers, because it would be too much of a reality violation (like a WW2 soldier fighting terrorists in 2014 isn’t) for him to take on modern techniques. You generally base your fighting on the first style you learned, no matter what you study after. It’s what your body remembers best.

Falcon, Cap’s 1970’s sidekick, shows up. I always liked the character, although this isn’t the Falcon I remember (where’s Redwing?). But Cap with an Air Force? Unbeatable. And there were some delightful Easter Eggs thrown in. Batroc, who is Mr. Savate. A passing reference to Dr. Strange. Too cool. So, overall, great movie. But…

I think the Russo’s missed a grand opportunity here.

Now, before going on, I admit to ignorance of the whole Winter Soldier and Civil War Marvel series. I stopped reading Marvel comics around 1974 or so, at least, regularly. Not that I still didn’t love them, but I was off on other tangents and lost track. By the time I noticed them again, it was the late 90’s and the story lines had gotten so odd (what’s this Ultimates stuff?) that I felt too out of it to pick up the thread again. But my son kept me briefed, and I knew enough about the Civil War series to anticipate it as the Russo’s underlying theme in this movie: security trumping freedom. You know, SHIELD becoming the NSA and putting everyone under its thumb because of all the supervillain threats, and Cap opposed to all this.

But, no. Instead, we get Hydra.

And that’s a shame. It’s easy to hate Hydra. They’re Nazis, for chrissake. So the movie became a simple black-and-white, good vs evil slugfest with everybody rooting for Cap and Widow and hissing at Robert Redford, instead of a complex treating of a real-world issue: do you give up your freedom for security, or do you bear the threat? Me? I bear the threat. See, I support the idea of the hoverships, but they don’t get launched unless there is a direct attack, and then, only at the attackers. And if you don’t know what I’m talking about, go see the movie.

Widow became a bit annoying, too. Oh, no, not Scarlet Johansson; she’s perfect, just perfect as Widow, and the kiss she gives Cap makes Chris Evans the envy of every single red-blooded American male (and probably a few females). But there’s an ongoing plot of “Who do you trust?” in the movie, and Widow gives off a lot of signals that she’s doing her usual Widow thing and playing both ends against the middle. I was sure, sure! she was going to sell Cap out, like she always sells someone out. But, she didn’t. Out of character, that.

But, hey, she can always do it in the next movie, either another Cap or Avengers one. Which will have Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch.

Oh boy!

Posted in Merry Marvel Marching Society, Those lesser mediums | 2 Comments

Random photos

Posted on April 14, 2014 by admin

Monday Night football, Eagles/Redskins, from the cheap seats:

You’re not sitting here. You’re not:

The last thing a mouse sees:

Inside the gazebo of the von Stauffenberg summer house, Geislingen, Germany:

Halloween, 2013:

Peter Parker:

Posted in Those lesser mediums | Comments Off

The Fonz is Revving the Bike

Posted on April 5, 2014 by admin

I DVR Community; heck, I DVR everything because it’s so much better to zip through commercials than suffer an aneurysm. So, I was prepped for Community‘s GI Joe episode by the blurb and didn’t immediately go “WTF?” when the cartoon started.

I went “WTF” later.

Because, well, this has already been done. The infamous stop-action Christmas episode comes immediately to mind, and, apparently, not just to me because the cast makes a joke about it towards the end of this episode. Got to give Dan Harmon credit for acknowledging plowed ground.

And there were good moments. I, too, have long wondered about the marksmanship of GI Joe and Cobra, so it was great to see the Joes’ and Cobras’ reaction to someone actually getting hit. And the increasingly paranoid TV commercials were a hoot, as was the ending PSA. But, this is inside baseball.

We viewers do like formula. The Brady Bunch lasted for so long because we knew that, every week, there would be some kind of First World crisis involving Greg and Marsha, and at least one Alice witticism. Community‘s brand of nuttiness is also formula, and I look forward to the weekly whipcrack banter around the table and the subsequently ridiculous situation requiring an even more ridiculous resolution. Pillow Fort, anyone? But, certain things are one-offs: the Christmas episode, f’rinstance, which was the superimposition of a cherished childhood icon onto Abed’s rather tragic condition. It worked. But it won’t work twice. The imposition of cherished childhood icon GI Joe on Jeff’s turning forty? Puhleeze.

I sense the presence of a jumping shark. Already, Community has resurrected a Dungeons and Dragons replay that, admittedly, worked because the group was relying on a previously used technique to help out a pal. But, like any shadow, it was a weaker version of the original. And, yes, a high-concept show like Community is going to have difficulty keeping up the high quality from episode to episode. Just look at Season 4. But, when you’re grazing among the gems of past glory, then perhaps it’s time to go all Wonder Years and end on a high note.

Like, maybe Jeff eaten by a jumping shark.

Posted in lesser mediums | Comments Off

The Grand Budapest Hotel: Silly, But a Good Silly

Posted on March 28, 2014 by admin

I belong to a Film Club…well, not so much “belong” as somehow ended up on their Email list and show up at the local Alamo Drafthouse (beer and a movie? I’m there) when they have something that catches my interest. Last night, it was Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel. My one word description: silly. But, a good silly.

The basic plot is this: M. Gustave (played by Ralph Fiennes), the concierge of the aforementioned Budapest, is accused of murdering a dowager client (and frequent paramour) so he might obtain a priceless painting. He escapes from prison and goes on a cross-country journey with his Lobby Boy, Zero (played by F. Murray Abraham and Tony Revolori, in flashbacks) to prove his innocence.

The plot, though, isn’t so much the point as is the gorgeous colors and sets and obvious worship of 1930’s and 40’s comedy-of-error and swashbuckler films. For example, the uniforms of the police…or military or whatever they’re supposed to be…are a mix of every Foreign Legion, gendarme, and early German official ever seen from The Prisoner of Zenda on. Indeed, every set, every character, is a celebration of Hollywood pre-WW2 Europe tropes and stereotypes. And that’s fun. Recognizing all the actors and cameos is fun, from Edward Norton through Bob Balaban. My favorite was Harvey Keitel as Ludwig, shirtless and tattooed and leading an over-the-top, er, beneath the floor, escape. Quite the hoot.

There were many hoots, including Anderson’s hilarious camera shots where persons crossed the screen from odd directions, or made impossible transfers from car to railroad. And a chase down a mountain that just got too silly for words…

…which was the problem: the movie just got too silly for words. There’s a point, right about the chase down the mountain, where I went, “C’mon, already.” I get it: the convoluted double flashback situation, the repetitious passing of a message through the monastery, the crazy hitman, yeah, great, silly fun. But, dude, tone it down.

Not that I didn’t like Budapest Hotel, I did. Good movie. But all the inside jokes, all that silliness, stopped it from being a great one.

So go see it, if anything for the craft. Don’t bring the kids, though. Language and sexual situations, people.

Posted in lesser mediums | Comments Off

The Adventures of Gracie the Wander Cat: Guest blogger

Posted on March 22, 2014 by admin

Russell here.

It’s come to my attention that a few unflattering things have been implied about me in these pages, specifically regarding my intents to supplant a certain Wander Cat in the affections of D. Krauss. Let me set a few things straight:

First, let’s review where a certain Wander Cat spent this past winter:

Follow the tracks to see where I did:

Yep, inside that box thing D. Krauss made. Which, don’t get me wrong, was nice– dry and warm –and definitely fit my Wild’un lifestyle: you know, out all night, stumble home around dawn, sleep snug all day. Yeah.

But while Wander Cat Girl was eating well:

I had to scramble a bit. And if I managed to grab a meal or two through a bit of subterfuge

can I be blamed?

So, let’s scotch those rumors right now. I have no designs on anyone’s current status.

None at all.

Posted in The Adventures of Gracie the Wander Cat | Comments Off

Interview of: Ian Barker, an author way too classy for this blog

Posted on March 14, 2014 by admin

I have known Ian Barker for a few years, mostly through the online writer community, Backspace. We also share a publisher, Rebel E. He is one class act. Judge for yourself:

1. “Ian.” That name’s so, well, English.

My parents chose it because it’s hard to shorten into a nickname. Actually it’s not really English at all, it’s Scottish for John. Depending on how the independence vote goes I may have to give it back.

2. Tell us about your non-fiction writing.

I spent a long time working in IT and writing in my spare time. I then discovered that I could write about computers and people would pay me for it! Shame it took me almost 20 years to work that one out but it led me into writing for, and eventually editing, a computer magazine. Since then I’ve written several ebooks on technology subjects and contribute to a number of techie websites.

3. Now, and you knew this was coming, tell us about your fiction.

I started by writing short comedy sketches for radio shows. Over time, that grew into short stories – honed through writing sites like the old Redrum Tavern and later Backspace – and eventually to a novel. A much rejected novel I should add, which eventually got put in the bottom drawer whilst I wrote another, better, one.

That second novel, Fallen Star, a look at the price of fame and the shallowness of celebrity culture, also got quite a lot of rejections but was eventually accepted by Rebel ePublishers and published in 2010.

I then reworked my bottom drawer novel which became One Hot Summer, a coming of age story set in the 1970s, published in 2012, also by Rebel. So my first novel is actually my second and my second is my first. In order to avoid causing some sort of rift in the fabric of time, my third novel will actually be my third!

4. What’s it like dealing with cheeky American readers, who think you sprinkle an unnecessary “u” or two in your wourds?

Frankly, it’s our language and it’s not my fault if Americans can’t use it correctly. I contribute to a US website quite a bit so often my spell check is set to US English but that doesn’t make it right. On a serious note, the Internet has made us a much more global society and I think that people are less inclined to notice the differences in words like colour/color, etc. than they might once have been. There are definitely two “i’s” in aluminium, though!

5. Describe your writing process.

Erratic. When you spend your working day writing non-fiction it’s quite hard to motivate yourself to do fiction in your spare time; the stuff that pays the bills always takes priority. As a result my fiction writing tends to be somewhat episodic. I break a lot of the “rules,” like write every day and don’t revise until you’ve finished. I just write when I can and revise as I go along.

I tend to write the ending of a book quite early in the process then fill in the middle bit. If I haven’t got an ending by the time I’m about 10,000 words in then I can be pretty sure the idea isn’t going to work.

All of the above means I’m not a fast writer when it comes to fiction; it takes me around two or three years to produce a novel.

6. What is your sanity check when writing? In other words, what kind of gatekeeper do you use before you think something is publishable/readable?

I seldom show firsts drafts to anyone and I’m a big fan of reading aloud to ensure that the text flows properly and that dialogue sounds natural. Through participation in online communities like Backspace (second mention I know but I’m not on commission, honest!) I’ve been fortunate enough to become friends with some very talented writers who are willing to read and critique material.

This was particularly useful on Fallen Star where one of the POV characters is female. Having beta readers of the opposite sex helped make sure I was in touch with my feminine side, and she came across as believable.

7. Will the United States and England go to war again?

Over spelling maybe? I doubt it, but if you are planning to declare war perhaps you could wait until after you’ve delivered our F-35s? Thanks.

8. You have a title with a small press. What do you think of this route to publication (and, yes, this is an obviously leading question)?

For the benefit of readers who hadn’t already noticed, we do share the same publisher. As I said above, I’d had a lot of rejections elsewhere so I seized on the first publisher to show interest like a drowning man clutching at a lifebelt. It’s nice to know that someone else shares your faith in your work.

The production process with Rebel has been excellent. The editing, cover design, and book production is, in my view, second to none. I’d say that, with both novels, the editing process has made them better than they were originally. There is perhaps a lack of clout when it comes to promotion, but to be fair I know some authors with big publishers who don’t get much of that either.

9. What, exactly, are mashers?

They’re the implements you use for making mashed potatoes. Or am I missing something here?

10. What projects are you working on, and when can we expect to see them?

I’m writing a sequel to Fallen Star which picks up the main characters a few years on from where that book ends. I’m hoping to complete the first draft this year (see above about slow process) so it may emerge blinking into the light some time around 2015.

Ian’s website is here: http://www.iandavidbarker.co.uk/

Follow him on Twitter: @IanDBarker

And the mystery of mashers continues.

Posted in Interviews | Comments Off

O-K-L-A…

Posted on March 8, 2014 by admin

I went back to Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, a few weeks ago because my son graduated from Army Basic Training:

Yes, ladies, he is one handsome devil. Thank God he takes after his Mom.

We attended what the US Army likes to call Family Day:

Those familiar with Army SOP (that’s Standard Operating Procedure, for all you dope smokin’ civilians out there), know that possession of a family violates the Army’s tenet of issuing you one if they’d wanted you to have one. Accordingly, Family Day was held in one of the most inaccessible portions of Fort Sill, directions to which were written in the most baffling manner possible on the back of an attached map that did not show any street names or locations, the nearest parking about a half mile away. Despite that, we found it, and were promptly seated outside on metal risers and then treated to another time honored Army tradition: hurry up and wait. Did I mention it was about 35 degrees with a 30-50 knot wind blowing through the pavilion? No?

Finally, we had the ceremony: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHcMxOJ5BN4

Afterwards, my son did the only thing he’d been wanting to do ever since his TI greeted him on the drill pad:

Not that I blame him. All that marching around and throwing grenades is exhausting. I know. I was in the Air Force for twenty years. We used to watch those Army guys marching around throwing grenades and stuff and feel bad for them.

I found it a bit on the ironic side that I was back on Ft. Sill for the second time in two years, the first as a side trip when attending Larry McMurtry’s auction (see below). I lived in Lawton, OK, the town right outside the Ft. Sill Sheridan gate, from about 1958 through 1965, in this house:

which has, in the following 40-odd years, become this house:

on a street that I rode my bike up and down with great joy when I was ten years old, and that I would not walk down today unless I was carrying a shotgun and a back-up pistol. Ch-ch-ch changes.

So I stayed on Ft. Sill pretty much the whole time, primarily to avoid the locals and their feuds. We visited the Guard House, where Geronimo spent some time: