Category: Ramblings

An Almost Year… An eBook confession

I didn’t make it.

A Year Without Big Pubs

Admittedly there were a few paper books purchased, mostly poetry, throughout the year. And yes, I bought the zombie Star Wars book. Seriously? It was zombies and Star Wars. How can one resist? But all of these were paper.

Then Black Friday / Cyber Monday happened. For the most part I don’t pay much attention to the sales that go on this day. For the most part it isn’t worth my time or energy to go out into the world, fight with others to get something. I’d rather be in, with my friends, family, or loved one.

And I was. But something happened. That something was Open Road Media having a massive, massive sale. I was alerted to this by someone posting that Swan Song, by McCammon was $3 in ebook. So I went to look.

I wanted Swan Song, and if I hadn’t looked at the main list, that might have been it. But I saw something that I couldn’t resist: Octavia Butler. I paid $4 for a trilogy of hers. And, it was as they say, ‘on’ after that.

I grabbed some more of McCammon. Then some Michael Chabon. Elizabeth Hand. Alice Walker. And, since it is sometimes needed, “Go the F*ck to Sleep.” Still a fav.

So what changed my mind? Why did I jump back in? Simple. The price was right. These books were priced as they should be. And for that, I purchased them. Simple, no?

Simple. No?

Zombies, Run! Part 2

Run: 1.58 miles, Time: 21:24

Where was I?

The hospital. I’d grabbed some supplies and some papers, and headed back out towards the tower. Sam is back on the radio. He sees me, and sees I have found something.

Guard it with your life, the Doctor says. I think that means if I see zombies not to drop the papers while i run for my life, but i’ll ask for clarification when I get there.

Maybe I am getting numb, I think, but it seems to be getting easier.

I have a way with timing, I have learned. Sure there are a thousand stories I could related about my poor timing events, but this one should demonstrate it. As soon as that thought was done two things happen. The first is that this pain starts up my left leg. It isn’t quite a cramp, but close. The second is that Sam’s voice comes back over the radio.

There are zombies coming. Great I think. They are catching up, he says. Fast zombies? Great. Fast zombies suck. Run, he says, run, and I do.

Runner 7 comes on the radio, tells me they are sending people with guns to provide cover, but whatever I do, don’t stop. She’s right behind me.

She? I hear Sam talking, through the mumbles and the “oh no”’s and my general panting and hard breaths I catch on who is behind me. The previous runner 5. You know, the one who I was told was really fast?

Apparently the pseudo-afterlife hadn’t taken that away from her yet.

My leg is on fire, and I have a simple realization: i can’t do this much longer. The gate opens and I see my fellow living emerge with guns, bringing me in.

Welcome to Abel, I hear. Let’s hope I’ve made the right choice.

I mention this game is great? Go get running shoes and go for it. iOS now, Android on the way.