Cuparius.com

Oh, how I hate Labor Day. I spent the day yesterday applying for jobs in the Toledo area. Labor Day is a slap-in-the-face holiday, sort of like St. Valentine's Day. I don't think I've enjoyed any holiday in years, come to think of it. Things are in a bit of a downswing, I guess.

I've added three new links to the links page. They are reference Web sites pertaining to philosophy, mythology, and fables. I plan to use one or two of them for some upcoming projects.

As soon as I can afford some tools I plan to take up woodcarving. I've always been idly interested in woodcarving and I admire good workmanship, but not until now have I found a practical reason to add it to my range of skills and hobbies. The practical reason is puppetmaking. Polymer clay is satisfactory to an extent (and probably quicker), but I'd like to do a truly professional job not just for the sake of my performances, but for selling puppets as well. I think woodcarved puppets would last longer and fetch a higher price. And they'd take more punishment when it comes to traditional Punch & Judy puppet shows. I'll be going to the public library tomorrow to check out some books on woodcarving and starting a small business. Despite the hardships, I think self-employment would be much more rewarding than slaving away at another job for mediocre wages. I just need enough of a buffer to get started. I'll keep you apprised of developments. Meanwhile, if you know anyone who wants to hire a puppet show in the Northern Ohio or Southern Michigan area, please let me know. If I'm given a bit of notice, I can make the puppets and create the script for just about any occasion or theme. In the future I'll be adding marionettes to the repertoire, but for the moment I'm only offering hand puppet shows and (courtesy of my brother) face painting and arm painting. I'm still trying to think of a name for the business and the Web site. Again, I'll let you know when I know.

Speaking of business ventures, someday I plan to start a small scale electronic (and maybe even paper) publishing house for the publication of games and supplements. I'm still working it out and wishing for a bit of breathing space. A winning lottery ticket would be helpful.

If I were to win a lottery or otherwise acquire a sufficient sum of money, I'd also start and operate my own bookshop. I have the knowledge, determination, and high standards to make a success of it, but one can't build a business without funds.

All of which leads inevitably to that other lifelong goal: getting professionally published. I really need to start submitting my work to publishers again (I've been lax for years), and I need to start actively writing fiction again on a strict schedule. Schedules are ever my bane, but they are a necessary evil.

With that in mind, it is time to accomplish something. Ta'ra for now.