Nashville vs Washington Part 2

My last Nashville vs. Washington post was pretty darned successful and it was fun to write! This is an ongoing process as I notice more and more cultural differences between the two sides of the country.

Speed Limits
First on the agenda is speed limits. Basically, my whole life in Nashville, speed limits are a normal 35-55 on normal streets and 70 on the highway. In Washington speed limits are an insanely low 25-40 on normal streets and 60 on the highway... As you can imagine that causes problems for a Tennessee boy that's used to getting places quickly. I haven't had a wreck in over ten years (Knock on wood) and I'm sorry, but I can go 75 on the highway without endangering people around me. For me, the Washington speed limits are hilarious. I mean maybe one would expect that in Florida or Arizona where there's a large elderly population but in Washington? Really? I mean who goes 25 MPH anywhere unless your car is broken? I can almost skate faster than that.

Highway vs. Freeway
I've heard the term freeway my whole life but I've never been around people that use it. I understand that there's an actual definition difference between the terms but just as in Nashville where people use the term Highway for those big roads where you can go fast, in Washington they call all those same roads Freeways.

Credit Cards
This is a weird thing I see a lot here that I never see in Nashville. A lot of people house their credit cards/debit cards in little sleeves that they get when the card is issued. So it takes them longer to extract said card from their wallet and then from the weird sleeve. Note that being in Washington, many people have enhanced passport drivers licenses so sometimes the sleeves are apparently to protect cyber thieves from remotely accessing the information with some kind of electronic device. (Yes, I've heard this is real) But bank cards?

Reflective Fashion
Maybe Washingtonians are more of a blue collar lot but everyone and by everyone I mean a notable portion of the population from 10 year olds to 90 year olds wear roadside reflective hoodies (AKA sweatshirts) as a fashion. Sure there is a lot of road workers, dock workers etc that might require these for work but tons of people rock this as a fashion item. Basically they're a solid color hoodie (sweatshirt) with two or three reflective bars on the front and back. Clothing companies have even ramped it up putting designs and pictures (like deer, skulls and flames) intermingled with the reflective bars. Like I said, maybe they're just a more blue collar proud lot here but I see kids and older people rocking this all the time. I know little Timmy isn't working the graveyard shift on the side of the Highway (Freeway).

Beer
From my last post, a friend of mine commented about the differences in beer. And he's right, sort of, when it comes to the beer differences in the two states. In Washington the beer selection at a gas station absolutely murders what you can get in Nashville. The generic brews of Bud/Miller etc are primarily ignored in a gas station where they dominate most quick stops in the south. In Washington you can get nice pints of craft beer and the newest six pack of seasonal brew around every corner. The thing that Nashville has over Washington is the beer mega stores (and I don't mean places like Bevmo) Since you can't get high alcohol beer or a lot of craft beer in gas stations in Nashville, they have entire stores and big ones at that that are wall to wall beer. It's usually a touch  more expensive but they have beer that you can't even find in Washington. The selection at these places is mind boggling and often left me wanting to spend $1000 each trip.

That's it for now... more to come as I discover.

The Artiface Club, A Steampunk Arts Coalition and So Much More

I've met a ton of amazing people in my adventures in the steampunk world. My first steampunk event was The Mechanical Masquerade in Decatur GA. I actually did a book signing at a little bookstore in Huntsville, AL in the afternoon then went to a DJed event in an ultra cool warehouse that night. Honestly, I was a bit nervous. I had no idea what to expect. From the second I walked in everyone was over the top nice. It's amazing to think back on that night because I met a lot of people that I consider good friends to this day. To name just a few, Doctor Q, Talloolah Love, John Strangeway, Sara Harvey, Bill Harrington, and William and Cindy MacLeod were all there that night and I have to say, I've never been to any event that even came close to meeting such amazing people.

Things in the Atlanta Steampunk community have grown exponentially since then. I dare say that Atlanta is the new capitol of the genre. Well, at least they are the Eastern capitol for the U.S.

As dozens of other subcultures rise and die, steampunk just gets bigger and bigger every year and as a testament to that growth, The Artifice Club (who had original founders of that wonderfully night at The Mechanical Masquerade) is doing something on a nationwide scale that needs to be recognized, promoted and supported.

The Artiface Club is expanding the entire sub culture to a new level by creating a non-profit organization that plans on making steampunk events in more than just the Atlanta area. I've been to a few of their events and let me tell you, they are absolutely unreal. It's everything you could ever want in a night of entertainment that's run with kindness, courtesy and flair that I've never seen before.

So before this gets too long winded with my infinite praises, I implore everyone to check out The Artifice Club's Kickstarter and donate, promote and share as much as you can. Seriously, these are some of the best people in the world and if there were a steampunk President, Doctor Q would win in a landslide. Help their cause and check out their Kickstarter today.

The Artiface Club Kickstarter
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/396472278/the-artifice-club-a-steampunk-arts-coalition-and-m

Thomas Riley and the Maelstrom cover revealed!

It's been a long time coming but the day is here that I can finally reveal the brand spanking new cover for my second steampunk book, Thomas Riley and the Maelstrom! As promised, my awesome blog readers will get the first peek a few hours before I spread the word all over the Internet. As I know, these are slated for a June release. I don't know the exact day but when I do, I'll be doing some really fun pre-orders with special features for my "Sky Pirates" new and old. Also, be on the lookout for a huge blog tour which is in the works now.

First off, here is the new tweaked cover for the first Thomas Riley novel which has been re-edited and with the first chapter of book two at the end. (Out on Zova Books)The new chapter will not only provide a fun teaser for book two but will also answer a few questions left by book one.

Thomas Riley and the Maelstrom is a darker book, a true act two if you will where a now even more famous Thomas and Cynthia leave their home country of West Canvia again in search for unlikely hero, Sam Burgess. In their latest adventure, Thomas and Cynthia's loyalty is put to the test as they face a new and even crazier evil genius, Doctor Wolfgang Gerhard who is in control of the very secret and world changing airship, the Maelstrom, which has the mysterious ability to control the weather. So without further adieu... the cover for Thomas Riley and the Maelstrom by the fabulous, Will Routon.

Debutantes & Divas

As I hinted in previous posts, Lizzie has started a new children's clothing company! We're very excited as she's a really talented seamstress and has a unique eye for fashion. This kind of started with they idea that she would make top quality princess dresses for girls but it's blossomed into much more than that. In addition to the dresses, she also makes jackets, fashion dresses, skirts and tops. And that's just the beginning. There are plans for a bunch of new styles and a line of childrens books. (Be on the lookout for a really fun Kickstarter soon.)

She already vended at The Chocolate On The Beach Festival in Ocean Shores, WA last weekend and this Saturday, we'll be at The Fox Island Craft Fair in Fox Island, WA. There are a ton of events coming up and of course I'll keep you posted on where we'll be.

In more cool news, Will Routon, the same artist that did the Thomas Riley cover art, did the first princess (Princess Mia) logo that you see above and we're in talks now to hopefully have him do a lot more in the very near future.

In addition to the traveling, Debutantes & Divas has a
Facebook Page
Twitter Page
and Online Etsy Shop

Also check out some product pics from our test shoot:

January Blog Stats

It's that time again! January was a great moth blog-wise and the results are in with my old band, Fall With Me took the top views last month with my Nashville vs. Washington post coming in second and the Blackout/Wedding post getting the bronze. Of course, last place is solidly owned my this post, ole last place blog stats.

Nashville vs. Washington was so fun that I'm planning a Nashville vs. Washington Part 2 where I will explore general differences between the South and the North West. This one will include beer and more fashion to name a few topics.

In quick other news, I've been talking a lot with Zova Books in preparation for the book releases and with the fabulous Will Routon as he puts the finishing touches on the cover art for Thomas Riley and The Maelstrom.

Ben Steed and the Tribes Soundtrack

I made a post a few months ago that the astonishingly talented Ben Steed was working on a soundtrack for my work in progress horror/zombie novel called, Tribes. Don't worry, this isn't your generic zombie story at all. In fact it has quite a different twist which I will share later.

Keeping me inspired and really excited is Ben's music. If you haven't checked him out, I suggest you give it a listen. He really combines every aspect about music that I enjoy and taps an emotional vein with every note. Wow, this man knows music. You can literally hear the passion and feel the scenes as you listen.

As for his music for Tribes, you can now hear the first song, "As Quick As Possible", on Soundcloud which he wrote after I sent him the first two chapters of Tribes. For me, it sounds like the perfect intro. The song feels like a dramatic trailer that flashes theatrical scenes in my head that I could see on the silver screen. As Quick As Possible is intensely creepy and has an element of suspense that is the living and breathing audio side of the story. Give it a listen here and let us know what you think.
https://soundcloud.com/cosmiceschaton

Be sure to keep your soundcloud playing to hear Ben's other work. Every song has it's own magic. 
Check out Ben's Facebook page.
Ben's Bandcamp Page 

The Nashville Predators n' Stuff

In 1998, The Nashville Predators NHL hockey team came to Nashville and since then, I've been a huge hockey fan ever since. It only took one game with my dad, the Preds vs. the Ottawa Senators when Patric Cote (not the MMA guy) got in a scuffle on the ice and ignited some gladiatorial instinct, forever hooking me on the sport.

I've seen it all and I was there for everything. The hat tricks, the routs, the fights, the trades, the first lockout and yes... even when they tried to sell my beloved team to a cro-magnon Blackberry goon in Canada I was there to battle him (and ultimately defeating him) as part of the Save The Predators organization. The Preds are in my blood and always will be. I love every aspect of the team and the game and love keeping track of as much as I can.

When I moved up to Washington, I had to be able to watch my team so we have NHL Center Ice where I park my butt in front of the TV to soak up my Preds fix. Of course this year they had to have another lockout... at least it was a half lockout but still disappointing for a guy totally separated from his team. When the season finally returned my team came out pretty flat. Losing in overtime a lot and generally looking like a team that well, hasn't played half a season.

Now it looks like they've found a stride and are picking up where they left off playing determined underdog hockey. It's awesome to watch and awesome to have in my life.

Other cool and unrelated news:
I've been talking to my publisher, Zova Books and I'm really getting stoked for the new book releases! I'm now in the very early staging plans for some appearances, blog tours, contests and all types of fun stuff to celebrate the new stories.