Yesterday I had a funny situation happen with Yuppies. See, I grew up in Marin, and I’m fairly accustomed to the kind of weird mix of ageing hippies and new age yuppies that have infested that once happy playground of my youth, but even so I had to laugh at a funny situation when I pulled in to gas up the truck. I spent the day building my Dad and Stepmom a new deck and storage shed combination (which would have gone A LOT faster if my Uncle the Carpenter hadn’t shown up and slowed the entire process down, but that’s a different rant), and by the end of it all I was a mess. Sunburned neck, four days of stubble, ripped jeans, scuffed up combat boots, dirt all over my face, leather jacket, I pulled into the gas station and hopped out of my dirty truck with the dog in the back seat and dents in the bumper to walk over to the automatic payment machine. As I did, I came up on a Yuppie Dude getting out of the passenger seat of the immaculate BMer. His Yuppie Chick at the wheel. Both of them straight out of a young republicans article in GQ. Dude had fashionably cut blonde hair, slate blue shirt, light gray slacks, loafers and glasses. She was wearing a skirt and a button down white shirt and had her hair pulled back in a bun. He was at the machine and his face shifted as I walked up. “You go ahead,” he said, stepping back quickly. “Thanks,” I said simply and plugged in my number. But as I turned around, I realized Yuppie Chick was watching me carefully, with the slight tinge of fear in her eyes, and he was simply milling about the passenger door, not sure what to do. As realization hit, I knew… I had to fuck with this shit. Going back to my car, I pulled out a couple of quarts of oil, an empty water bottle and my buck knife. I walked back towards their car, flicking the knife open. Then punched it into end of the water bottle to cut it off and make a funnel for the oil. Oh, the lovely sound of tearing something up with a knife. Tossed the refuse into the trash and popped the hood of the truck. They watched me the entire time, staring. And as I closed the hood, put the gas cap back on and walked to the driver’s door, I couldn’t help but wink at her. She looked away quickly. Giggles on my part, I admit. The other thing I couldn’t help thinking was, My God, you two must have the most boring sex. But who knows. ;-) "Why shouldn't truth be stranger than fiction? Fiction, after all, has to make sense." —Mark Twain

So, a friend of mine asked why I haven't been posting in my blog here. The short version is I've actually been using LJ for posts instead. Even so, I thought I'd catch up with things here. Since last time you joined us... The job at the radio station fell through. Six weeks in. The funny bit about it is why. It was really for two reasons as far as I can see. One was I'm a 32 year old single straight male living in San Francisco that was trying to manage a community radio station where 25% of the community was retired, and the rest was mostly families and Hispanics. Oh well. But the other bit was more amusing. It was the Seven Dirty Words that did me in. Turns out that the real meat of why they let me go was they received a couple of complaints about my use of the Seven Dirty Words while I was training people on what they could and could not say on the radio. Yeah, that's right. Training. Not on the air. Not using them in anger. Nope. I read them out of a book. A book about the FCC rules. Does this seem silly to you? Sure does to me. Other than that, the Big Dave Special story didn't win the competition, but it was an honor to be nominated and blah blah blah. I'm now trying to get it published in Azimov's, but I've yet to hear back from them. I'd since moved into an office space arrangement at the Cracktory, as part of the Bay Area Motor Club. I get high speed access to do my freelance writing, and do a little customer service to help out. Other than that, the Thunderdome benefit is coming up next Thursday, and I'm trying to pitch a bunch of stories to the regular pubs to get some movement on the freelance writing side. And still looking for work. The book is coming along, and I'm (for better or worse!) starting to think about the next novel I'll tackle for NaNo this coming November. So that's the update. More later I suppose.

This actually came up in conversation with friends the other day, and they had no idea about it. So once again I'm posting it. Share the information around. Cause I worry about my brother, who is 19, and a number of friends that are just pushing that 26 mark. http://www.congress.org/congressorg/issues/alert/?alertid=5834001&content_dir=ua_congressorg Why isn't this being covered and discussed over and over again? Why aren't the nations sources of information using this rich fodder to inform the populace of what their leaders are going to be doing to their sons and daughters? And the sad thing is, I'm all for military service. I still lament at times that I didn't serve when I was younger. This is because I love my country, and I believe this country does need to be protected through force of arms at times. But I DON'T TRUST this government! I lack faith in our current leadership. You know, I can't find a journalism job to save my life, and yet stories about this and other major issues are not getting written. What the Hell is wrong with this situation? And I can't help but think that this current administration is at the heart of the matter, and I'm not sure how they pulled it off. They've managed to ban pictures and stories being done about dead soldiers coming home from Iraq, and if you ask a question that the White House doesn't like while in their press room Guess What! You're not invited back to the press room! And hey, if you disagree with the administration,"if you're not with us,you're against us" sounds familiar right? I read a recent statistic that 51% of journalists are worried about the path that our profession is on, and feel that things are not getting better in covering news. This is an untenible situation. I'm reminded of these famous quotes from one of our founding fathers... "The basis of our governments being the opinion of the people, the very first object should be to keep that right; and were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter." --Thomas Jefferson to Edward Carrington, 1787. ME 6:57 "The only security of all is in a free press. The force of public opinion cannot be resisted when permitted freely to be expressed. The agitation it produces must be submitted to. It is necessary, to keep the waters pure." --Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 1823. ME 15:491

I got some good news this morning from Ireland. Here’s the short version. One of my stories has been selected as one of five finalists for an international science fiction competition, the James White Award. This is a great honor. But what’s even better about it is that the story is about somebody a lot of you know. James Howe. The story is called The Big Dave Special, and I wrote it for Big Dave and Judy’s wedding (of course, it took me a couple of years to finish it, and by that time, James had made his appearance already! ;-) The James White Award is for unpublished works from new/non professional authors. It’s named for Irish Sci-Fi writer James White, and more information about it is here: http://www.jameswhiteaward.com/index.php The winner of the competition will be announced in Blackpool! No idea if I could make it out there, but wouldn’t that be cool? So, wish me luck. Apparently they’re going to try and put all the finalist stories online, but if you really want to read it, let me know and I’ll send you a copy. Oh, and yes, I freely admit that the story might be a bit of a ringer, since it’s set mostly in a bar and the title refers to a shot of whisky with a pear cider chaser, but you gotta love those Irish.

So hey Gang, Lots of things going on, and it’s past time I let everybody know what’s been happening. First of all, after over two years of not having full time work, I’m glad to say that I’ve started working with a great group of people on something that’s really been challenging. And also came out of left field! I’m now working as the Station Manager for a brand new non-profit, community radio station in Sonoma. Yeah, like I said, out of left field. The short version is I came up here to talk about a writing job with a new organization and they saw my jack of all trades experiences in print journalism, radio and management and they wanted to hire me as the Program Manager for the station. After some back and forth and decision-making on my part, I decided to take the job. And then within the first two days it became clear that I’m actually the Station Manager (since I was having to put together everything), and so I took on the name and the position. And that was two weeks ago. Since then I’ve put together press releases, lead community meetings, had discussions with legal council about FCC matters, gotten support from a number of different community stations, put together our computers on a wireless network, written programming proposals and PSA information and answered more phone calls about how to get on the air while simultaneously dealing with the engineers building my studio than I want to think about. It’s been busy. And it’s been fun. And we haven’t even gone on the air yet! So that’s the latest stuff. The strange bit about it, that I’m still going back and forth about, is the fact that as a community station that’s going to require some close attention I can’t really get away with living in San Francisco and doing the three hour commute everyday. That sucks. I don’t really want to leave the City, and I’m putting it off until the station gets up and working, but I suppose I’ll have to move eventually. We’ll see. In the meantime, I have my hands full! And there’s proof! I was interviewed for a story in the local paper. http://www.sonomanews.com/articles/2004/03/04/news/top_stories/news05.txt Give it a look if you like. The station is KSVY, 91.3 FM. Drop me a line! Especially since I’ll be feeling more and more out in the boonies if I’m not careful! But look out! I might put you on the air. More soon! Matt PS- And if you want more information about it, check out the stuff at mgnelson on LJ.

First Day So the first day at the new job was odd. No way around it. Start ups are so fly by the seat of the pants. First of all, I didn't sleep too well, knowing that I was going have to get up and get moving at 7:15 in the damn morning (which was exacerbated by the Jamison shot Lil' Matt insisted I drink last night at Nina Hagen. I was a good boy and hit the road at a decent hour and before the show ended even... but I was still moving slowly this morning. Ugh). But I got through the commute to Sonoma only to find that yes, I did have to put my own computer together (not a big deal) and that the internet connection of course did not work (duh) so I had to end up driving to Santa Rosa to the nearest BestBuy to buy several wireless Airport cards, then come all the way back and install the suckers. Which didn't work at all, of course, and took a huge amount of time to configure and whatnot. It would have been easier if the guy that had originally set up the Airport had let anyone know that he'd password protected the network (good idea) but he hadn't bothered (bad idea), and so I had to track him down. And with all my time going into dealing with that problem, I then had to go into a meeting with the General Manager, the New News Manager and the "money" guy totally unprepared. Crap. Yeah. It's going to be an adventure, but damn, you know? Second Day! Radio Stations! So yeah, I'm really going back and forth with things. I am getting excited, cause I am so damn over my head here. I'm interviewing people for volunteer positions! And discussing the necessity of FCC licenses! What the fuck! I spent today tracking down half a dozen community radio stations around the country to get copies of their bylaws and their mission statements and how they put together their Board of Directors and a so many other things it's scary. But I then turn to see the two people that are supposed to be my "bosses" aka the General Manager and the "money guy" behind the radio station, and it's so clear to me that they don't know what their doing, or they don't want to know. That leaves it all on me. But some of that stuff is a real issue. For the first time today the crap that I knew would eventually happen did. I got in contact with the Money Guy to make sure I had all the information about our FCC license etc. And his answer was sure, we've got all that, and I'll fax it over when I get the chance, etc, etc. Five minutes later, FIVE MINUTES, I was on the phone with an organization that can be a huge boon to us in information and community support, but they won't help me because I can't provide them with any official FCC info! They think I might be a pirate station! So, I'm dealing with tracking that stuff down, and dozens of other things. More things that I even know about now. But you know the other issue that's really worrying me right now? I'm a writer, and I want to stay a writer and make a good living as a writer. But I've been hired on to lead a community radio station. This is a very different job. And a different life. There are people that are passionate about music, about community involvement, about free voices and all that stuff, but I'm not that guy. When I was doing radio before I just liked playing music and hearing my own damn voice going out over the radio. That's it! I liked playing with things in the studio! Does that mean I can't do this job? Not at all. But is it what I want to do long term? Not at all either. In the meantime, will I do a disservice to the station by getting them up and running? I hope not. And how can I make my writing dreams and plans mesh nicely with the radio plans and ideas? The other strange thing that I realized when I took this job was it could help in my overall goals of reaching into a more diverse range of broadcast media. But Good Christ, it's Sonoma! Oh well. I'm busy, so that's good.

So you’re not happy with how your Valentine’s Day turned out? Didn’t get your flowers. No ring? No hot VD sex? Don't feel bad about your V-Day cause you could have had mine last year. I had broken up with Allison (girlfriend) in the fall, but then we started seeing each other again. She was a great girl, but I could never really trust her with my heart, but I thought I might be getting close. And I loved to make her dinner. So, Valentine's Day is coming up, and I call her to make plans. I'll come and make her a fancy dinner at her house. It's all set for the Sunday of V-Day weekend. The day comes. I call her, no answer. I drive to San Jose. No answer. I have lunch with friends. No answer. I go to the store to pick up the food. No answer. I buy the food. No answer. I drive to her house. No answer. I sit outside for awhile. No answer. Her car is in her parking space. It's cold to the touch. No answer. I wait awhile. No answer. I check the house to make sure she's not lying in a bloody puddle on the floor. Nope. I wait for an hour. No answer. Finally, I head home. I'm now officially worried, even though I knew what was going on. I'm close to calling friends to see if they had heard from her. But nothing to do but wait. Finally, late Monday night I get a call from her as I'm leaving the office. "Well, I'm surprised you didn't call the cops to look for me, after you climbed up on my deck to look in my windows." "I'm just glad you're all right. Cause after all, that's not like you." "Yeah." "So... what's up?" "Well, I met someone else. And I was with him." "I figured that, but it was still unlike you. So I guess I'll talk to you later." Click. That was the end of a two year relationship. I haven't heard from her since. She's now moved into a new house with her boyfriend.

Yeah, after many years of watching my gray hair slowly take over larger and larger portions of my hair style, I finally had enough the other month and I got rid of it. I was tired of being 32 and looking like I was 42, or older. And it was a dramatic change I admit. Such a change that I got many comments about it over and over again. Especially from the lady friends in my life. And to a one, they've all complained about the gray being gone. They keep telling me it's distinguished and so on. And so I've been thinking about the best way to explain why that's not exactly what men want to hear, but I was having a hard time describing it. Then finally, I came upon the 10 word answer (as politicians call it). Telling a man he looks good with gray hair is sort of like telling a woman she looks good with those few extra pounds. It may be true, but you never want to hear it.

So, things not going as well for Matt as he'd like, but I'll do my best not to bitch too much about it. Short list. 1- Worked at EndUp on NYE, from 11 to 7am. Boring and dull. Got sick for trouble. 2- Spent all NYD on Couch shivering with chills. Roommate has fit when I steal couch from him and sulks in his room. 3- Feeling better today, so I left house to run errands, but found that the check I deposited last Monday still hasn't cleared. This is bad as I'm overdrawn. A call to the bank explains that they're holding onto it until next Tuesday. 4- Got an email from a penpal today who I've been corresponding with since 1998 when we met and had a fling at a convention. She went on to marry and have a little girl. Nothing racy involved, just what's up with life stuff. Now, apparently her husband has found all the emails we've been writing back and forth over the years and is pissed. 5- Although I'm still sickly, I have to work tonight from 10 to 6, since I really need the money. 6- I was really hoping that 2004 was going to be much better, but it seems it's only getting worse. So... can I borrow some money for a bullet? Only need one.

Yeah, it's New Year's again. Sometimes it's when you look back on the year and think of all the major milestones that have come and gone. Friends lost, friends gained. New directions and things you'll never see again. Yadda fucking blah blah blah! This year sucked! It sucked big time! And while I'm loath to assign something as simple as the change of one day on the calendar to have some kind of significance on things, I can't help but hope that next year is much better than this one. Think about it... way back at the start of the year the space shuttle burned up, then GW decides it's a good idea to go and attack Iraq despite almost everyone in the God Damn world thinking this is not a good idea, and so he bald face lies to us (who would have thunk it?) about the reasons for going there. Then we get a recall election going in California, and a group of candidates that make us the laughing stock of the entire country. And who win's that one but the Governator! The economy still sucks. There are STILL no jobs available anywhere. Our national threat assessment gauge bounced from pink to tope to fuck knows what, and it never makes any sense. If you try to walk through an airport with a pair of nail clippers, be prepared to sit for hours. It's all shit! And for me personally, it sucked. Two years now since I got laid off. Still can't find any serious work. Broke all the damn time because of it. Motorcycle's broke. Car's about to die. In three separate incidents I had my stereo stolen, my work clothes stolen and my license plate stolen. Worked dull jobs to make ends meet, but they don't actually meet. Fuck! I could go on! And I remember last year somebody saying to me "Man, this 2002 really sucked. I can't wait to get to 2003. I'm sure it will be much better!" What a fucking joke. Grumble grumble. Bitch moan. Things better get better soon or I'm buying the Uzi.