I’ve been thinking about it for a while, and I’m finally adding a photo gallery into WritersCafe.net.  Think about it – what cafe have you ever gone to where there wasn’t artwork on the walls?

You’ll find it above.  Right up there.  It says “Photo Gallery.”  (I’m pointing up, in case you can’t see me.  If you’re reading this via RSS, you’re really not going to get what I’m talking about.  Sorry.)

For now the gallery page will just open itself into a new window.  I’ll explore better ideas soon.  Really, the idea finally just kicked me in the pants and said “now.”  The software to support it was installed less than an hour ago.

(I’m trying to say – this is all a really fresh idea.)

There’s only one picture there as I write this.  One.  Nothing much to raise much of a ruckus about, but I was excited that it’s there, whether or not it’s fall-down-spectacular.  (I really like that one picture, though, and I’m glad it’s the first.)

Hello all. It’s high time that WritersCafe.net got a redesign. The content was sorely out of date and the look-and-feel was “late 90′s – early 00′s,” if you’re gracious. Thus, everything is being ripped out and reconditioned.

Here’s one last look at the old site:

Read the rest…

[Editor's note: This "legacy" news article was kept from the old site, and re-linked for nostalgia.]

There’s a new donation page for Hurricane Katrina relief. It’s a simple way for people to donate even just $1, and is the only Paypal-friendly donation site that I know of.

[Editor's note: This "legacy" news article was kept from the old site, and re-linked for nostalgia.]

The Tsunami and Earthquake Relief Fund, raised $9,292.12 in just a couple of weeks. How amazing is that? Every penny was transferred to the AmeriCares Foundation.

I’ve removed a few stories from the site recently, as they are being re-spun into something bigger and (hopefully) better. I doubt you’ll miss them, but I’ll miss posting them for you to read. I enjoy the feedback from all of you kind folks, but if I ever hope to publish something large, it probably shouldn’t have been plastered on my web site for the world to see during its entire development cycle. Sad but true.

I also just celebrated my 12th anniversary with my wife. I’m not sure why she’s held out this long.

[Editor's note: This "legacy" news article was kept from the old site, and re-linked for nostalgia.]

I have set up a donation page to help raise money for the horrible tragedy caused by an earthquake and resulting tsunami in Asia yesterday. If you can donate anything please do so. If you don’t trust me, donate directly from one of the links at the bottom of the page. I’m sure every dollar will help!

[Editor's note: This "legacy" news article was kept from the old site, and re-linked for nostalgia.]

What a sad state of affairs.  I’ve not updated this poor site in months!  I suppose that means that I should write something substantial and post it.  I’ve had several ideas, but I’ve lacked the gumption to sit and commit them to paper.

[Editor's note: This "legacy" news article was kept from the old site, and re-linked for nostalgia.]

I’ve written my first “Buddhist-related” article entitled, “Compassion for Enemies.” I’d love to hear your feedback.

[Editor's note: This "legacy" news article was kept from the old site, and re-linked for nostalgia.]

I just turned 30 today! Whee! This is going to be the best decade yet!

[Editor's note: This "legacy" news article was kept from the old site, and re-linked for nostalgia. The "autobiography" idea was later scrapped.]

So far the new year is pretty much the same as the old year, but condensed.  Just over two weeks have passed and I find that, instead of being less busy, which was sort of the goal, I’m at least as busy as I was before.  That’s the way it goes, I guess.  I’ve had the incredible opportunity to spend more time with my family though, and that’s made it all worthwhile.  Nothing is more important to me than my wife and four kiddos.  I’d sacrifice everything to keep them all happy, safe and close to each other.  Life has a disturbing way of trying to disrupt the things we hold most precious, and my life has been no exception.  I’ll never give in, though, “come hell or high water.”

I’ve considered doing some auto-biographical work about my life over the last several years or so.  It’s certainly been an adventure, and I can’t say that it’s been an overwhelmingly pleasant one.  If nothing else, I’ve learned a great deal about “the way things work,” and a great deal about me.  Socrates said, “Know thyself.”  I believe that’s a journey I’ve been conscious of, more than ever before, in recent years.  At any rate, only if you’re interested, keep an eye on this page for a possible posting in the very near future.

In other news, I’m happy to say that “The Delivery”, once a short story, has begun to expand.  As previous readers of the site will recall, the story has been moved to the Stories section of the site.  Originally I hadn’t planned to put any of my updates online, but I’ve changed my mind.  The original version of the story is still here, as well as what has officially become “Chapter One.”  I’d love it if you read it and emailed me with your thoughts.

[Editor's note: This "legacy" news article was kept from the old site, and re-linked for nostalgia. "The Delivery" is absent at the time, and the "Stories" section has been temporarily dissolved.]

Before I say anything else, I’d like to offer a special thanks to all the kind folks at Fark.com who took the time to click the classified ad I took out to announce my short story, “The Delivery.” It was because of the overwhelmingly positive feedback I received there that I am pleased to announce that “The Delivery” has been moved to the Stories section of the site. As of this date it has almost doubled in length from it’s original short story form, and that extra material now forms what I am happy to call “Chapter One.” It is now, officially, a novel in progress. I have left the original short story version online as a “teaser” for now.

Of course, if you’re a publisher or an agent interested in reading more of this story, all you have to do is email me.

Frequent readers may also notice that “Shell” has been removed from the Stories section. I have a few things in mind for it, so it’s been taken offline for “retooling.”

If you’re one of the original Farkers who read and commented on The Delivery, I would be happy to give you access to the extended version of the story that comprises “Chapter One.” Feel free to email me with the request!