Neglected but not forgotten

I have brought up this blog innumerable times in the last six years, intending on writing this, or highlighting that, or making fun of the latest tomfoolery I see in the world.

But you know what?

These words have not been the most important thing to me.

We put time and energy into the things that matter, and a blog has not mattered to me. A job change, a pandemic, and family medical issues have mattered.

But the winds of change are blowing.
There have been words written; I have had stories published (*shameless plug* - comment here and I'll reply with a couple links); and it sounds like I'll also be narrating a few stories for podcasts at some point this fall as well!

And for the first time in nearly twenty-five years I find myself interested in the theory of economics and politics again. My degrees are Econ and PoliSci, but my readings are sadly out of date. So some forthcoming posts will be ponderings as I reread and synthesize old sources with new ideas. Some posts will attempt to trace historical concepts into current "post-whatever-isms" constructs. And I will probably continue to make fun of the stupidity I see in the world.

I hope you enjoy the fun with me.

Final Results from the 2017 New York City Midnight Flash Fiction contest

Brag time!

Over 2,500 writers entered the NYCM Flash Fiction contest last July.

By December, it was down to 64 finalists.

And last night the judges' decisions were released.

I took 5th place overall!

I have four new kickass stories, one of which I'm eying for novel potential.
Oh, and $250 prize money plus some swag.

This was my second year competing. In 2016 I made it to the semi-finals but flamed out there.

Even *getting* to the finals this year was an achievement.

https://www.facebook.com/TrondEHildahlAuthor/

http://www.nycmidnight.com/Competitions/FFC/Challenge.htm

Context is important

Can we have a little nuance on the $hithole comment?

Here is the quote attributed to Mr. Trump:

"Why are we having all these people from $hithole countries come here?"

First, I duly note that the President is actively denying this specific wording. Given other comments he's made, on the record, I personally assume it is a correct quote.

Argument 1:

Suppose I, as a rural Californian, said, "Why are all the people from that $hithole Los Angeles coming through here?"

Am I racist? Or am I "simply" expressing an active dislike for that city?

I gather that people excusing the quote are treating the quote in this way. "He's not calling all the people that, just the--you know--conditions there and all."

Argument 2:

When you balance his comment with the immediately-followed "why can't we bring in more Norwegians?" it equates black, brown, and Latinized nations with "$hithole" and a homogenously white nation as something to welcome to America.

Plus, you know, the ACTUAL WORDS.

Many of the times that Mr. Trump has made a speaking gaffe, his supporters will claim that when you look at such quote in context, it is more understandable as to intent. And most of the time, there's a modicum of truth to that.

In this situation, however, I feel he is damned both by the specific words as well as the context.

For shame, Mr. President.

"A Year's Luck" - from the NYC Midnight Flash Fiction 2016 contest - challenge 3

I made it through to the 3rd challenge in the NYCMFF2016.

Scores from challenges 1 and 2 were totaled (I took 2nd and 7th respectively, out of 35 writers in my group) and the top 5 from each moved on. The 300 of us were then divided into 12 new groups of 25 each. The top 4 from each group in this challenge will move on to the 4th and final round.

Again, flash fiction is a story created in 48 hours or less, with a word count of 1,000 words or less.

My prompts were the genre of mystery; primary location of a bonfire; and an item (which has to appear in the story but not necessarily be a major part) of a fake ID.

I received mystery for the second time in a row! I feel much better with it this time around...
Please feel free to leave a comment with feedback! Thanks in advance!

-Trond

Taking the story down - 6/8/17

"Reality Bites" - from the NYC Midnight Flash Fiction 2016 contest - round 2

Here's my entry in round 2.

Again, flash fiction is a story created in 48 hours or less, with a word count of 1,000 words or less.

My prompts were the genre of mystery; primary location of an airport duty-free shop; and an item (which has to appear in the story but not necessarily be a major part) of a milkshake.

I will admit at the outset that the mystery genre floored me. Please feel free to leave a comment with feedback! Thanks in advance...

-Trond

Taking this story down, sorry... (6/7/17)

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Reality Bites

In the final round of a game show, contestants must unravel what is real and what is not.

Fantasy Football decisions

Hello Fantasy Fans!

It’s finally here – after months of waiting, devouring every article, drafting both mock and real… tomorrow night opens the season.

And now you have an active lineup due.

Maybe you went WR for the first three picks and have to choose between Matt Jones, Thomas Rawls, and TJ Yeldon for two RB slots. Maybe you went “best position available” from the 10^th slot in a 12 team league, missing the two 4 WRs and 5 RBs, and your choice for a flex is between Larry Fitzgerald, Travis Benjamin, and Stefon Digs.

Isn’t it funny how all the articles you see right now list Lamar Miller as a better start this week than Todd Gurley, or give the nod to Antonio Brown over Beckham Jr.? As if you are ever going to have to make that choice (speaking purely of redraft leagues).

When it gets down to reality, it is purely matchup driven. I have Cam Newton in one (keeper) league, and guess what – against Denver’s defense I am sitting the consensus (preseason) #1 QB. I drafted Brock Osweiler as a backup and I love him this week against Chicago’s hurt cornerbacks with a couple shiny new toys (I mean rookies).

And speaking of those rookies, I nabbed Will Fuller in a couple drafts. However, even though HIS matchup is equally attractive, he’s riding the pine since I have Randall Cobb and DeSean Jackson penciled in as my starters in one, and Jackson and TY Hilton in another. (Yes, I went against conventional wisdom this year and went RB heavy in most leagues so I do not have some of the premier wideout names).

Another personal lineup decision: Flex between Ryan Matthews and Mike Evans? I’m going with Matthews because Evans is facing Atlanta’s Trufant. Simple as that.

If you have a really solid lineup overall, feel free to take a chance with your personal Will Fuller.  A high ceiling player might be just the ticket if you have a group of solid floors, you know? But don’t go with all your ceiling players, either.

So where am I going with this? We have a limited scope of preseason work (that I don’t trust anyways, because. Preseason.) We have last year’s numbers. We have grades of offensive and defensive lines… Honestly we’re swimming in too much information, but you have to make the call at some point. 

So, my point is – treat this week’s lineup decisions just as you’d treat week 6 or week 12: take the info you have, take your knowledge of the player and teams, and roll with your best guess.

Good luck out there! Are you ready for some football?????

"Eyes On Red" - from the NYC Midnight Flash Fiction 2016 contest

Contest time! This Flash Fiction contest is a story created in 48 hours or less, and a word count of 1,000 words or less.
In round 1, I was assigned the genre of Ghost Story, the primary location of a casino, and an item (which has to appear somewhere, but not necessarily be a major part of the story) of a pair of colored contact lenses.

Editing - taking the story down as I will be working on this story further and submitting for publication.

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