Writing Career

In which RVA discusses the path (or lack there of) to success…

Over the past few years, I’ve been working to realign my professional direction.  I’ve been working hard to break through this plateau I’ve been at as a writer.  It culminated in the Kickstarter to make a Rhest for the Wicked short film, but a lot of other efforts went towards that goal.

One thing that I’ve ruminated on time and again was trying to better understand how people found new books to read.  I surveyed different groups of friends, peers, co-workers, and acquaintances.  I asked some strangers at shops and stores and restaurants (usually the people working; stopping other customers always seems like a bad idea).  I tried to get some consensus as to where people went to for reading information.

Overwhelmingly, the answer was nowhere. Continue reading “Writing Career”

Auto Woes

In which RVA learns how much automotive mechanics can suck…

I don’t know anything about engines.  Pretty much nothing.  I know a little bit about combustion as a physical act, so I conceptually understand the basic premise of an engine.  But in reality?  I’m lucky to know which side of the car has the engine in it.

Periodically throughout my life, I have undertaken efforts to remedy this shortcoming.  I learned to change my oil.  I’ve changed headlights and replaced a few other dodads and thingababobs.  I got some jack stands and some books and really dove into all the material I could find.  But I quickly reached a point where the learning just wasn’t taking. Continue reading “Auto Woes”

What To Work

In which RVA talks about different training programs he’s tried…

So pursuant to two weeks ago where I discussed my dietary history, I thought I’d take a moment to discuss my history with some of the training programs.  Like dieting, exercise is surprisingly easy and yet there’s a whole industry that complicates it.  And like dieting, finding a good program is equal parts experimenting and knowing yourself, as well as keeping honest about your goals.  You can say you want to be athletic all you want, but if deep down you want big shoulders and a chiseled midsection, you are going to be disappointed to some extent.

I’ve been exercising most of my life.  I started doing martial arts when I was 12, which quickly was joined by general fitness and physical activity.  I started lifting weights sometime in my early teens: calisthenics at first and then a whole lot of machines.  I didn’t really embrace free weights until my twenties, and I didn’t really get into kettlebells until my thirties.  So that should give you some idea. Continue reading “What To Work”