excited

I’m old fashioned and I miss the cinema

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Hello my friends, family, and fans;

I’m getting to the age where technology and habits I adopted as a kid are now considered old fashioned. I still like physical media (CDs, Blu-ray, etc), I like having a watch, and I miss going to the cinema.

The older I get, the worse my vision gets, the more I prefer to avoid fancy wrap around screens, or 3D, or that kind of thing. We went to see Taylor Swift’s concert movie (fantastic btw) and it remined me of how much I miss.

Things I miss about going to the Cinema

1. No interruptions

I have trouble sitting and doing nothing for 2 hours. It makes me feel like I should be multitasking and getting some work done. So I constantly stop myself from being able to fully enjoy the movie.

There’s also the fact that I have two kids and they tend to either be completely absorbed or making a racket during a movie.

2. Popcorn

I like cinema popcorn. Its tasty, comes in large sizes, and gives me something to do with myself so that I can relax and enjoy the movie. Even if I do go now, it’ll be a little while before I’m comfortable eating in a crowd again.

Arguably I make better popcorn, but on a regular day with the kids bed times if we have time for a movie we don’t have the 10-15 minutes it takes to make.

3. The feeling of an event

It’s an event to go to the movies. When I was a kid it involved researching in a newspaper, driving over an hour each direction, and waiting in line for a ticket. Now it’s much easier but I still get that joyful excitement and anticipation when I walk into the building.

Things I don’t miss

1. People

I never liked crowds and people are the worst. At the Taylor Swift movie there were several people in front of me that decided to check their phones every ten minutes. They also seemed to have their phones set to the highest brightness level.

2. Travelling

It’s only 15-20 minutes away but it feels like forever and I hate the anxiety of feeling like I’m going to be late for the movie. It’s a small thing, I know.

3. Closed Captions

I wish they put CC’s on all movies. There was a time where radio and cinema was highly influenced by theatre and public speaking. This meant the actors were encouraged to speak loudly and clearly. Now there are directors who prefer mumbling and who don’t care about dialogue, not to mention incorrect sound mixing.

I feel like I miss 10%-15% of the movie because I don’t have subtitles.

I look forward to returning to the cinema, but I’m still not comfortable going as often or in the same way. That being said, I hope to see The Marvels sometime soon.

Later days,

Éric

Some movement! (AKA: I saw a doctor)

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Hello friends, family, and fans,

I SAW A DOCTOR!!!

Christopher Eccleston as the 9th Doctor dancing

No, not that sort of doctor. I saw a medical doctor. An elbow surgeon whom WSIB referred me to. I also saw a very nice occupational therapist. All three of us were confused as to why WSIB sent me to an elbow surgeon, but after a very thorough history review and exam they concluded I needed to see a neurologist. (What my family doctor said 6 months ago.)

They’re also going to schedule an MRI for my neck.

The surgeon said that since it’s both arms, that it’s most likely neck or brain. Neck is most likely since I’m not getting headaches or nausea. (Of course he said that and this weekend I’ve had both, but I’m 98% sure it’s just weather and stress.)

I should hear in the next few weeks about the MRI and then within the next month about the neurologist.

THINGS ARE MOVING! I’m really relieved to have finally gotten to this point. Next milestone, figure out what’s wrong.

Stay safe and be kind,

Éric

Faymous

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Hello Readers!

Our newest work in progress has been called The Untitled Shawna and Randal Book through the writing of the first seventeen chapters. Before that, it was called Guise and Dolls, before that, it was called Dolls of the Magic Shop.

A lot has changed in the story since it’s initial concept, and with Jen’s help, it’s infinitely better.

So without further ado, the new novel is called: Faymous

After the strangest New Year’s Eve ever, Shawna and Randal wake up in Fay. Nothing is as it seems, they can’t remember how they got there, and someone or something is hunting them. With luck, stubbornness, and a ukulele, they’ll flirt, fight, and sing their way home.

We have three chapters and two epilogues left before we’re done, but I already love this novel.

I can’t wait to share it with all of you. (Unfortunately, with editing, submissions, and schedules, we’re looking at 3-6 years)

If you’re interested in Beta reading, we’re more than happy to have the help.

Thank you,

Éric

BOOKSTORE? AHHHHH!

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Hello Imaginary Friends, Readers, and Fans,

I had to go to Carlingwood mall the other day to return some online purchases. (We’ve been limiting our excursions to make sure we don’t expose Pegasus to Covid until he’s vaccinated.)

While there I decided to go look at the bookstore Coles Carlingwood. Mostly because I like bookstores. Once inside, I decided to go check if they had my book.

And they DID!!!

I knew that local stores had them in stock and that they were available online from all bookstores, but it was so amazing to see it in stores.

I asked the person working if they wanted me to sign some and after an adorkable exchange where I offered to show my ID and we both geeked out, I signed all five or six books.

So if you’d like a signed copy, get to Coles Carlingwood before they all sell out!

I’m so excited!!!!

It felt really cool doing this and I look forward to doing actual signings at bookstores. AHHHHH! Maybe if all goes well, Jen and I can do a signing for Assassins! in the fall.

Stay safe and be kind,

Éric

Coffee Shop Between the ‘Verses

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Hello My Imaginary Friends and Book lovers,

My new book will be released September 15th! Yay!

Get it here:

Jackie sometimes likes to have conversations with the characters, and as he reads five novellas in the small Ontario town of Baker…

In The Ridiculous Adventures of Felix Felicitous, the grumpy Felix is thrown into an adventure through time, despite his protestations.

In Only Human, Rachel has accidentally signed up for the University of Monsters.

In Wargrave Island, Inspector Riko Dulac has to find out who’s killing all her former high school classmates before there’s no one left.

In Database of the Ageless Kings, Sophia rebuilds an alien ship, only to find the galactic prince still inside.

In Devices of Desire, follow Artemis, Diana, and Ezekiel as they navigate secret identities, demons, and love in the kingdom of Cillian.

Are the characters Jackie is talking with real? Is he just talking to himself? Or is something else going on?

Here’s the awesome book trailer:

Recently I read the first chapter for the Cover Reveal Party:

I’m very proud of this book and can’t wait for you to read it.

Thank you!

Éric