Friday John Ku – AKA – TGIF

July 10, 2020July 9, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 87 Comments

Twiggy and Lucy — “The Puma spots the unsuspecting water buffalo.”
“The water buffalo plays possum by pretending not to notice the foolish puma. Bring it on big cat.”
“Did you just say ‘cat?”‘

Another Friday and it is my guess that this week seemed long because last Friday was part of the weekend due to the holiday. Happy Friday. (woo woo)

Today starts at least seven days of above 100 degree temperatures. It seems a big ole high-pressure area is moving in from the west coast (where everything is high) and is going to be sitting over Texas for at least a week. For you non-weathercasters, what this means is no clouds, no rain, just pure sun hitting the Earth broadside. Being in the South, it just means HOT. There is no heat like Texas heat. With humidity, a hundred degrees feels like one hundred and ten. Egg fry on sidewalk time.

I just finished formatting my paper edition of Eternal Road – The last stop. Moving to the e-book edition next. Not sure when the cover concepts will arrive, but I have given the artist all the info to start the creative process. I am looking forward to the first concepts.

Texas is in a nosedive virus wise. People love to get together and swap droplets at their favorite bar or cookout. Some idiots have taken to not wearing masks and then being jerks to those who do. I have to wonder about some folks. As for me, I’m wearing mine when I go out. (Just to be clear I go out only when necessary)

Today’s John Ku talks about politics a bit. I hope you all have a safe and healthy weekend.

We know masks can help,

Keep the folks at risk safer . . .

So what’s the problem?

Friday – JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

July 3, 2020July 3, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 78 Comments

Another Friday is here, and I hope it means you will get some time off. For many Friday is the day off in celebration of the Fourth of July tomorrow. That will mean a long three day weekend. Of course, we who are still locked up have no idea what a three day weekend feels like.

Texas is slowly going backward in a rush to open. Bars that have 51% of their revenue have been shuttered. Also, all the parks in our county have been closed. The authorities are trying to keep people from gathering over the holiday. Most firework shows have been canceled for the same reason.

I saw with interest that the beaches at my old home have been closed to vehicular traffic, including golf carts. The hours have been cut as well, so there is no camping. It means if you want to go to the beach this year you have to walk in with all your stuff. I think a lot of folks will take a rain check on that.

I have started to format my WIP and will get the cover design work done. It does not appear that there is agent interest, which is fine. Once done, I will self publish.

Today’s JohnKu discusses the idea of being self-sufficient. I hope everyone has a great holiday weekend.

When you need others,

To accomplish your life goals. . .

Have a backup plan.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

June 26, 2020June 25, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 68 Comments

“What’s that baby doing in our yard, Lucy.”
“I think it wants you to come out and play.”
“Yeah, as if.”

Another Friday and like me, I hope you are looking forward to the weekend. Hmmm. Let me rephrase that. Another Friday and I hope you are able to make it through another weekend.

Things have opened up here in Texas, like other states, and with it are ever-increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases. If you all go back to your statistics courses and run a regression analysis on the data you will find the cases are increasing at an increasing rate. (Who am I kidding. No one is going back to their statistics course. It was almost fatal taking statistics the first time.) It looks like folks are not staying away from each other, and this virus is going to be around a while.

We now have Sahara dust moving into Texas. This stuff drives me half nuts. It is right up there with oak pollen and unfortunately, there is not much that can be done other than to wear a mask (Now that’s novel) and keep the rescue inhaler handy. I’m telling you this has been a crap year for asthmatics. Today’s JohnKu talks about the year. I do hope you have a super weekend.

It seemed nice at first,

Then somehow it got pissed off. . .

The year needs a friend.

Friday JohnKu – AKA- TGIF

June 19, 2020June 18, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 71 Comments

It is Friday once again. Hopefully, everyone is safe and well. It is becoming more difficult to stay safe and well for sure.

Today the governor approved a workaround for requiring the wearing of masks here in Texas. A county judge in San Antonio found a loophole whereby the state and local municipalities cand enforce the wearing of masks in retail establishments. It is quite simple. Retailers are now required not to let anyone in the store without a mask. As we all know, social distancing and masks are very effective in stopping the spread of Covid-19. With people jamming into bars and onto beaches the new case and hospitalizations of Covid-19 victims has skyrocketed. So far voluntary compliance has not been effective. Let’s hope the new retail requirement can make a difference. For the life of me, I don’t understand why folks take this disease so casually especially when the young are getting sick.

In other news. There has been no response from the agent community on my queries. I guess I’ll have to send follow up notes to extract a decision.

Today’s JohnKu talks about individual rights in a pandemic. I hope you have a super weekend.

Good health is a right,

Which supersedes most others . . .

Put on the damn mask.

Friday John Ku – AKA – TGIF

June 12, 2020June 11, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 69 Comments

“I love Fridays don’t you, Lucy.”
“I do Little One.”
“The yard is nice today.”
“It is.”
“I’ll give you a head start for tag.”
“I appreciate that.”

Friday is here, and so are we. (You. are there, right?) The bars are open, and folks are having a swell time. Here’s a piece of information that should have the word DUH hung on it. Memorial Day was May 26th, precisely 14 days later (yesterday) the number of Covid-19 cases here in Austin reached a new high point.

Here is another DUH statement. The stock market took a dive yesterday because of growing fears of increased Coronavirus cases.

So what did everyone expect? The most effective way of avoiding contracting the virus is to stay away from people. Gather together, and guess what’s going to happen?

The protests will help to ramp the cases as well. All this should come as no surprise to anyone.

Today’s JohnKu gives a hint on staying safe. I hope you all have a great weekend.

Cases decline but,

Start up again when open . . .

Stay away, wear masks.

Friday John Ku – AKA – TGIF

June 5, 2020June 4, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 78 Comments

“It’s a beautiful day, Lucy.”
“That it is Little one. It’s Friday so that makes it better.”
“Let’s go outside and ruckus.”
“Right behind the Boss who is right behind you.”

It is Friday again, and I know Twiggy is happy. She always looks forward to Friday for some strange reason. She’ll be glad it’s here. As for me, it seems to be like any other day for sure. In fact, I was thinking (Uh oh) while on a bike ride. A ton of random thought came into mind. I hope you’ll bear with me as I share them with you.

Why do men over fifty think they look good in sleeveless t-shirts? Those hairy shoulders beg for a forest fire.
How come it is so hard to read the contents of cardboard boxes at the curb. Come on, manufacturers just spell it out. How else will I know what my neighbors are buying?
Why do some people insist on riding their bikes toward traffic? I guess they want to see in advance what hits ’em. (also they do not know the physics relating to the velocity of two objects closing in on each other)
What is up with people leaving dog poop bags on the street? I know I’m not going to pick them up.
How come so many people have come to the decision that there is no virus? I see way too many clumps and no masked folks to suit my comfort.
Where is Joe Biden? Is he still running for President?
Do we have enough supplies for a second wave of Covid-19? Well, let’s hope so, except most of the stuff is still not being stocked. (Like thermometers)
Protests for a cause are a good thing. The destruction of property is not. It is good to see protesters stop lawbreakers.
I wonder where the new normal will settle. Police state? Lawless society? Endangered human species? Who knows?
The Presidental election is five months away. What will be the significant
“It’s a beautiful day, Lucy.”
“That it is Little one. It’s Friday so that makes it better.”
“Let’s go outside and ruckus.”
“Right behind the Boss who is right behind you.”

issue that decides who gets the most votes? The economy? Covid-19 response? Law and order? International relations? Immigration? Maybe there will be more issues. Who knows?

Today’s John Ku talks about random thoughts. I hope you have a great weekend.

Thoughts don’t ask to come,

They show up without warning . . .

Then it’s your worry.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

May 29, 2020May 29, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 114 Comments

“Hey, Twiggy, look t that.”
“What is it?”
“A baby deer asleep by our artichoke agave.”
“Can we play with it?”
“Its mother wouldn’t like that for sure. We can look though.”
“And bark.”

Friday is here again, and for all those who were called into work, it will be a short eight hours until you can go back to your quarantine headquarters. For the rest of us, it is Friday. By the way, I used to have trouble spelling ‘quarantine’ before the COVID-19 situation. For one reason or another, it seems to have taken care of itself. The word pops out of my head, correctly spelled. I guess that is a good thing.

Still sending out queries. Again not hearing back, so the status is quo.

We are getting more openings in Texas, and with the opportunities come more cases of the virus. I guess the decision to open has to be made to allow the economy to function. We cannot go on forever with a closed economy. I just wish I didn’t see clusters of people at beaches, in parks, and on boats. I’m still laying low since a case of the virus would do me in for sure.

Today’s John Ku was inspired by a birthday this last week and is all about wishing you well. I hope you have a super weekend.

When it comes to wishes,

While blowing out the candles . . .

The best is for peace.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

May 22, 2020May 21, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 86 Comments

Lucy and Twiggy — “So nice that Friday is here.”
“Yes, Little One. After all, you and I have to work so hard all week. Where’s that cabana person anyway?’

Ah, Friday……*crickets* Hello. Anybody here? here? here? Well, notwithstanding the echo, I’m going to assume somebody’s out there.

Not much going on here. Been sending out queries and actually got a response. “Thanks, but no thanks.” I wrote back and thanked them for at least letting me know. I think if every agency could somehow let you know it would be a help. Of course, who said agencies were in the business of having to let those who query them know the outcome. After all, they were sitting there minding their own business when some interloper like me bothered them with a query. I think I will revise my thinking on this item. If I haven’t heard anything, I’m going to assume they are having trouble deciding if the literary or mass-market agent should represent me.

Oh, wait. Let’s take this one step further. With my query letter in hand, the agent took the initiative to contact Harper Collins. Harper Collins is having a difficult time determining whether or not a $50,000 advance will be enough to keep the book from Hachette. Of course, the agent thinks a six-figure advance will be required. So until they work out the details, no one is going to contact me. Yes, this is better.

I hope everyone is doing okay now that the states are starting to open up. This particular old guy is going to take his time to embrace my fellow humans. I’m going to wait until I see the net result of people congregating again. Today’s JohnKu talks about caution. I hope you all have a super weekend.

Let’s go bar hopping,

Or into a crowded store . . .

Not to worry, Right?

Friday JohnKu – AKA- TGIF

May 8, 2020May 7, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 97 Comments

It is Friday again, and most of the states have had some kind of easing of the restrictions connected with COVID-19. I guess we all with wait with bated breath to see if folks who bunch up together will cause an increase in the number of cases. As for Texas, the governor eased the restrictions and opened pools and hair salons. In watching the news, it looks like opening the lakes and parks with the idea of social distancing is not working. Party coves on the lakes are jammed and the walkways at parks crowded. So we will see how all this turns out.

There’s not much more going on. I’m planning to start another WIP, but I am trying to decide between two different arcs. No hurry here. Given the pandemic, time seems to be a less important asset. Today’s JohnKu talks about the new timelines. I hope you have a great weekend.

Not sure you agree,

But time seems to be less rushed. . .

Maybe it is me.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

May 1, 2020April 30, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 93 Comments

“I think you are right Little One. It is Friday.”
“Oh, Goodie.”

Another Friday has arrived, and we are not too sure what that means anymore. Well, for one thing, it means that whatever annoyance we had to go through with our work at home situation will be over in about eight hours. It also means that this is the first day of a new month. That always gives us hope for a new beginning.

Here in Texas, the governor has opened up individual businesses. He has set a limit of 25% occupancy, which means most restaurants will not open due to the high cost of start-up versus the return. Most will still offer carry out and delivery.

Also, the governor indicated that the take out and mixed drink accommodation may become permanent. Once that cat is out of the bag, it is tough to get it back in. On a survey here (very unofficial) by the local TV station, 75% of those polled responded that they had taken advantage of the take-home or delivery of mixed drinks. I guess this could cut down on the drinking and driving at least.

I have to share an agent rejection that I had this week. I submitted my material last Sunday evening at about 5:30 PM. This was done on the agency form and included a query letter, a bio, and the first five pages of the manuscript. I got an answer back at 8:30 PM. So on a Sunday, the agent was standing by the computer to “carefully evaluate” my submission. You gotta say that is one dedicated agent. Hahaha.

Today’s John Ku talks about continuing with your goals, no matter the obstacles like automated submission forms with automated responses. I hope you have a great weekend.

It’s your goal after all,

No matter the obstacle. . .

Your own choice to quit.