tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67254244484398242192024-03-13T14:10:38.034-04:00Joao-PierreSometimes I write, sometimes I drink wineJoao-Pierre S. Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957814464793600780noreply@blogger.comBlogger294125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725424448439824219.post-38518146412368004192019-09-12T22:10:00.000-04:002019-09-13T08:10:19.633-04:00A Road Less Traveled Is a Path to DiscoveryGiven that no one asked for something like this, I suppose this more for myself than anything.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Why step away from LAIRE<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">—</span><i>again</i>? The simple answer is that I have diverging interests.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So it is time to go down other roads and for everyone to move on to what comes next. One of the things I promised myself this time around was to <b>not</b> hold on too tightly to Plot, the game, all of it. You have to know when to let go.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There really does not need to be a deeper explanation than that, and truth be told I am sure that will suffice for most interested (really, you can stop reading at this point). I am also fully aware there are folks who have been ready for deep change and it is at hand.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I said in the past and will repeat it again<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">—</span>any LARP is a collective where 100+ different perspectives on gaming come together in one forum. It's a chance to explore varying points of view because you all are playing <u style="font-weight: bold;">one</u> game, not 100 individual games played in isolation. The communal objective should be to find ways to allow for a broad range of gameplay within the same setting, including all the ups-and-downs and consequences.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There can still be instances where those gameplay perspectives just cannot coexist. You have to recognize if you reach that point and make way for a new direction, which can mean stepping away.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There is a list of things I could go into detail on, matters and discussions that from my perspective were misheard, misrepresented, or even ignored<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">—</span>but what is actually important, what I am focusing on right now is fulfilling my final duty and offering closure for any of my dangling plot threads.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I can't help but look back and remember that first day though, the very first event the organization put on more than 25 years ago down at Jamesburg Park. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The first event was held in early spring with a touch of winter still in the air. The breeze was crisp and the sky was a little grey that morning. I recall seeing Pat Dolphin (sp?) sparring in a steel cuirass; he would go on to rise in the ranks as Sir Horlin (sp?) of what was then Trellheim. At the time I thought armor would just slow me down as a warrior. I would soon get my comeuppance and learn that armor was vital to my character's survival.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My original adventuring party was made up of high school friends, largely from our AFJROTC unit. None of us in the party had participated in SCA or any medieval reenactments; I had not even been to a Renaissance Faire at that point. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My first costume was cobbled together from random pieces of clothing. I didn't even have my infamous hubcap armor that first event. Other members of our party had much better costumes and gear, but I learned more about the game, garb, and all the other bits as I participated. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There were only "module days" back in those first months, with no "plot" encounters taking place in town, which consisted of just the Five Lions Inn and nothing else, and no overnight activity at all. So we spent our days as our characters talking and roleplaying with each other while waiting for our turn to go on the module<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">—</span>you signed up for a slot and hung around until it was time.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At first, our party either got lucky and eeked out a victory <i>or</i> we took a clobbering<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">—</span>we lost the entire party on a couple of outings. We did learn from those experiences. After we completely wiped on one occasion, I'd had enough and organized our group with combat drills between events. Squad tactics with combined arms and preplanned, situational changeups. Those of us from AFJROTC were also on the drill team and marched together a lot, so it felt natural. Once we focused on operating as a unit, our core group never lost a party member again on a module. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In time, things changed as they always do. Some of the party members earned rank and station in different baronies<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">—</span>others, such as myself, made poor life choices with their characters. The original squad went their separate ways and eventually, the players themselves each moved on. I was back and forth myself for numerous years, made new friends along the way, even one dwarf (Ryan Alin) who hid with me under a log one night to escape a rampaging Titan<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 12pt;">—</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">you survived by any means necessary back then.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm sure this all sounds nightmarish for some current LAIRE members; the old days can come across as prehistoric and outdated compared with the game now. The important part is the game evolves and will continue to do so. Be open to surprises and the new paths ahead.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am going to break one of my oldest, most personal rules about finding things out in-game and post a small excerpt from Jaggereth's parting missive sent after the June event:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Every drifter, wanderer, treasure
hunter, and reckless adventurer is drawn to Avalon by their own ambitions. We
all think we know how our stories will unfold but all of that falls away once
you begin your journey in the duchy." </span></span></blockquote>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If anything, I hope you all continue to shape your own stories and legends. Gaming is an act of discovery. You do not know what the outcome of your actions will be and to me, that is the beauty of it all.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WvgqmOMAGys/XXr1563Gh7I/AAAAAAAAKJc/21e1vtd83FwLTkHBVHkDwf02TPly6qgGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/LAIREMayEdit150528-102_zpsvolgvvhy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WvgqmOMAGys/XXr1563Gh7I/AAAAAAAAKJc/21e1vtd83FwLTkHBVHkDwf02TPly6qgGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/LAIREMayEdit150528-102_zpsvolgvvhy.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Photo by Michael Scott, 2015)</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">"Always be relentless. Never be ruthless."</div>Joao-Pierre S. Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957814464793600780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725424448439824219.post-75821969510521029442015-02-09T10:07:00.001-05:002015-02-09T10:07:37.583-05:00My Uncle Albert sings amongst the stars nowMy Uncle Albert passed this morning. A man of 90 years, he took long strides in eras and decades that reshaped this world in so many ways. More importantly to our family, he was a great, grand voice.<br />
<br />
Eldest of my father's siblings. Glib and cheerful, full of laughter and strong will.<br />
<br />
That's Albert Ruth.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SJzf-bVy8WI/VNjIgYASJcI/AAAAAAAADMM/aTWk9AboTvU/s1600/alsbirthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SJzf-bVy8WI/VNjIgYASJcI/AAAAAAAADMM/aTWk9AboTvU/s1600/alsbirthday.jpg" height="260" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I think about the piece of his 90 years I have been around for and it does not feel like enough time to catch every smile, hear every joke, or listen to every story. He gave so much to all of us; including when my mother passed exactly two years ago yesterday.<br />
<br />
What follows is what I wrote for him some 10 years ago for his 80th birthday.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
My Uncle Albert’s voice, resonating clearly and strongly
across any room, is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of him. His
voice has marked every important family gathering I can recall. When there is a
wedding, expect to hear his rendition of Ave Maria floating into your ears.
When there is a humorous story to be told, expect to hear his laughter
punctuating the telling.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
He is a devout man who has served his church as an elder and
shared his graceful voice with his community as a choir member. He is a kind
leader, eldest of his siblings and a guide to his grateful nieces and nephews.
He is a veteran of World War II, a master of fashion and a traveler to the
exotic far reaches of the globe. Few can claim to have witnessed and
participated in the history he has been a party to. Fewer still can say they
have affected and moved people the way he does with his voice, his stories and
his presence. Listen carefully when my Uncle Albert speaks and be prepared to
have your spirit stirred.</div>
</blockquote>
<br />
I wish I could share the tenor of his songs with others. and let them feel how he made the world rumble. There are recordings of him out there, but I have the luxury of playing back each note from my memories.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hG21YYZ0Fus/VNjL5bcr03I/AAAAAAAADMY/82daSH5Tdb4/s1600/IMG_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hG21YYZ0Fus/VNjL5bcr03I/AAAAAAAADMY/82daSH5Tdb4/s1600/IMG_0001.jpg" height="320" width="219" /></a></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">"Always be relentless. Never be ruthless."</div>Joao-Pierre S. Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957814464793600780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725424448439824219.post-45634064121890947132014-06-17T16:02:00.000-04:002014-06-17T16:02:14.712-04:00On the Matter of My BirthdayI had been trying to think of something meaningful and profound to say today, but then I realized that my birthday is no more (or less) significant than anyone else's.<br />
<br />
A birthday is a time when you get to embrace the people who are there for you and remember those faces you miss. A birthday is when you hope the world shines a little brighter on you, even if it were raining.<br />
<br />
Growing up, you look forward to presents and such. As an adult, the piles of gifts get smaller, or perhaps they turn into more expensive toys. Maybe you throw big lavish parties, maybe you have a quiet night alone sipping on a lush glass of Malbec while savoring a glittering skyline. Maybe it's a night without candles or cake, but it still remains that this day marks the moment you became part of the wide world.<br />
<br />
There are smiles I truly wish I could see today, but can't (either by circumstance or the widening distance that comes with time.) There are laughs that have made my daily toils seem comical. <br />
<br />
So, in lieu of brownies or crème brulee, this year I offer a thought: savor the people who make every breeze feel fresh as spring and summer. Indulge in joys that make others blush, and be brilliant in all that you do.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UVVOOKeKwbM/U6CSVTVjcAI/AAAAAAAACA0/x1TLyXOFDmI/s1600/20140616_220636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UVVOOKeKwbM/U6CSVTVjcAI/AAAAAAAACA0/x1TLyXOFDmI/s1600/20140616_220636.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="blogger-post-footer">"Always be relentless. Never be ruthless."</div>Joao-Pierre S. Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957814464793600780noreply@blogger.com0New York, NY, USA40.7127837 -74.00594130000001840.3275957 -74.651388300000022 41.0979717 -73.360494300000013tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725424448439824219.post-34883130682713784742014-05-11T09:00:00.000-04:002014-05-11T09:00:00.564-04:00The Peace Lily on Mother's DayMy apartment is a bit greener these days, something I owe to my mother.<br />
<br />
Historically, I was not much for flowers or gardening. That was one of her hobbies. Each spring, I would drive her to make the rounds to outdoor garden shops so she could peruse various perennials. She always enjoyed seeing the new blooms, and did a fair amount of trash talk about flowers that were not cared for properly.<br />
<br />
Me, I don't know the difference between a chrysanthemum and a daffodil without looking them up. When I moved into my current abode, a good friend gave me a bamboo plant that has endured over the years in spite of me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n0IoOJz63qk/U29nArBT0xI/AAAAAAAAB8I/ihkOhLrKuSI/s1600/20140511_080224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n0IoOJz63qk/U29nArBT0xI/AAAAAAAAB8I/ihkOhLrKuSI/s1600/20140511_080224.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
After my mother passed away last year, I kept the peace lily that someone sent to the funeral service. At first, I only meant to look after it until I found it a reasonable home. My days are a grind of writing and editing news, writing and rewriting fiction, and making the rounds through Manhattan. Tending to plants was not part of my routine.<br />
<br />
But then the peace lily remained in my possession. I fumbled through learning to tend to it, scratched my head when its leaves drooped, and smiled when it bounced back.<br />
<br />
A few weeks ago though, it looked like it was bound to crumple in on itself. I made the mistake of exposing it to all the wrong elements. So I finally started paying more attention to its needs. After an emergency repotting and pruning, I managed to save it. Moreover, I learned what I had been doing wrong all along and I bought a second peace lily.<br />
<br />
The thing about peace lilies is they literally clean the air. Like a mother's love, a peace lily makes every breath more free from the things that can weigh you down---if you nurture it properly.<br />
<br />
I encourage everyone this Mother's Day to cultivate the peace lilies in their lives.<br />
<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">"Always be relentless. Never be ruthless."</div>Joao-Pierre S. Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957814464793600780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725424448439824219.post-89247435546099662512013-08-08T18:30:00.000-04:002013-08-08T19:28:59.917-04:00Her Birthday Today . . .I have been trying to recall how my mother and I spent last year's birthday. If she were here, she would tell me vividly what we ate and how happy the gifts made her (regardless of how mundane they might be). She could remember tiny little details from most every day because such things were important to her.<br />
<br />
Here it is six months to the day since she passed and I can't remember how we celebrated her last birthday. And that frustrates me. I can recall the usual things like the sound of her voice and how she cheered "Happy birthday!" every year. But I want to remember what we talked about, the jokes I'm sure we told each other. The last hugs.<br />
<br />
I did manage to find a grainy video from her birthday in 2010.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyY1U_OPqFZDzsJUVd_ixuzNXLcZBNWkeT6j_u4TOblx2p7QcHETN3ae9r3Dv30b9Ji0ydPsEvA3EPAwGxS' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
You would think it was easy to celebrate her birthday because she was so easy to please but that just made me want to figure out better ways to show that I cared. How do really honor someone who showed boundless patience and understanding regardless of how things were going for her?<br />
<br />
I'd like to tell her that everything is okay or at least that I am taking care of things as best I can. Every day is different and some things don't work out right. If I could recapture more of her spirit it would make the tough days a bit easier.<br />
<br />
It's raining something fierce right now. I suppose that's good. It means the last of her flowers will keep blooming.<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">"Always be relentless. Never be ruthless."</div>Joao-Pierre S. Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957814464793600780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725424448439824219.post-32994275327803258882013-07-04T14:27:00.000-04:002013-07-06T11:27:29.446-04:00Happy Independence Day: Feel free to speak, pray (or not), and debate . . . but keep it civilAs we celebrate our belief in independence, I invite you to see the First Amendment as a responsibility not just a right. It guarantees individual rights regarding faith, speech, and expression but I think we have let something tangible get lost.<br />
<br />
I believe we have a responsibility to express ourselves in meaningful, rational ways while embracing the fact that what we say might be refuted.<br />
<br />
Some things in life cannot be argued. The molecular composition of oxygen and my shoe size come to mind.<br />
<br />
If we make bold statements, it does not mean people with differing perspectives are not allowed to respond. On the contrary, our country has the opportunity to grow by debating our opposing points of view.<br />
<br />
This freedom for open discussion, whether over matters of policy, faith, or the quality of a song, does not exist every where in the world.<br />
<br />
Right now there are nations going through violent growing pains of trying to open up to democracy after generations of autocracy and other systems that stringently limited their citizens' capacity to express themselves. There is no need to use allegory to depict <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/06/world/meast/egypt-coup/index.html?hpt=hp_t1">what is happening in the streets of Egypt; the protests are not symmetrical clashes of good guys and bad guys</a>. The head of state was ousted; who knows what will happen next? The current entity in power wants to characterize this transition in a favorable way. I don't know how much control is being exerted over their local media. I watch everything I see with a deeply questioning eye. However I cringe at the growing number reports of violence against women in the midst of this turmoil. This is why I am not ready to laud anyone. <br />
<br />
The U.S. has seen its own historic, at times violent, upheaval but we have also created the capacity to give voice to our issues and disagreements. We cannot lose sight of this lest we tumble into a way of life where physical force between opposing citizens rather than discussion rules the day.<br />
<br />
I am far from fond of the gossipy way that freedom of speech gets used in our country (there can be an abundance of whining about nonsense when there is real work to do) but I will not tell another person how they should express themselves. Instead I speak with determination . . . and I listen.<br />
<br />
The "spin" that governs our political dialogue (among citizens and representatives) does not phase me that much because I'm frankly trained to see past it. <br />
<br />
What concerns me is the rise of "all or nothing" arguments within our country, where someone is only satisfied if their voice is the only one heard and any difference of opinion is viewed as invalid. We use hyperbole in excess when we complain about things we don't like. I attribute this to a desire to paint any opposition as "the bad guy."<br />
<br />
This does not mean that malice is absent when we disagree. It does not mean that some people use freedom of expression largely to further themselves or to <em>cause turmoil</em> rather than to make the nation stronger. Worse, I think people dismiss ideas if they simply don't <strong>like</strong> the person who is speaking. And that dislike may stem from things unrelated to the message: age, ethnicity, wealth, attractiveness, socio-political identity, or faith.<br />
<br />
Do any of those things matter if someone tries to warn you that a building is on fire or that a car is about to hit you?<br />
<br />
We will always be a country of vehement opinions; I have no desire to see that squashed. What I hope is that we remember that our way of life is built on a promise to allow a myriad of voices to be heard.<br />
<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">"Always be relentless. Never be ruthless."</div>Joao-Pierre S. Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957814464793600780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725424448439824219.post-85071331546206991902013-06-17T10:19:00.000-04:002013-06-17T10:49:51.392-04:00Much Fanfare About Turning 40The rumors are true. As of today, I am 40.<br />
<br />
And in other news, the sun rises in the east in all its molten, gilded fury.<br />
<br />
I do not mean to sound flippant but rather---if you will permit my indulgence---I strive to find richness in each day. It is not just about making today's birthday special, though it is something of milestone. The thing is, I want my own deep library of experiences to reflect on.<br />
<br />
I pay attention to seemingly irrelevant details such as the texture of a couch I sat on when visiting someone who is important to me. That might sound like a waste of energy but that is how I turn abstract time into tangible memories. It is not for nostalgia's sake; remembering what my past <em>felt</em> like helps inform my future decisions.<br />
<br />
The familiar coarseness of the dress shirt I wore for an important speech; the heat on my skin in spite of the cool spring air during an intense discussion; the soft, lush tickle of a dog who flopped on my lap to cheer me up---such things remind me who I was and what was happening.<br />
<br />
My memories can be complex like grains of timber full of spirals, whorls, and undulating lines. I wish I could say I had perfect clarity of every significant moment from these past 40 years; my mother had one of the sharpest memories I have ever known, which made for wonderfully colorful tales.<br />
<br />
I am resisting the urge to dive into extremely, lengthy stories that dole out pieces of my supposed wisdom. If you truly know me, you already know there is a method to all of my shenanigans.<br />
<br />
Some of my aspirations can come across as bombastic. My sense of humor shifts from salty to cartoonish (I grew up on Benny Hill, G.I. Joe, Hardy Boys mysteries, and scads of other literary and farcical material). I thread mischief into my candor whenever possible.<br />
<br />
Let us all celebrate every day we share together. In this era of social media <strong>disconnect </strong>it can be easy to create excuses (myself included) to avoid making real time for each other. Embrace people who consistently make themselves conspicuous, in positive ways, in your life in the real world. These are the people who truly believe your well-being is important and will be the welcome, usual suspects knocking at your front door in the midst of June.<div class="blogger-post-footer">"Always be relentless. Never be ruthless."</div>Joao-Pierre S. Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957814464793600780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725424448439824219.post-22637839344742759602013-02-09T19:06:00.000-05:002013-02-12T10:58:18.163-05:00My Mother Gave Her All to the WorldMy mother unconditionally loved and cared about everyone she met as well as people she did not directly know. She dedicated her life to teaching in the classroom and at home. In the past when I would take her out grocery shopping, it was not uncommon for preschoolers she taught to run up and hug her. Parents would call out to her. Even years after these kids grew up and went on to other schooling, they still ran up to hug her.<br />
<br />
She always found the best in others, gave them the benefit of the doubt---unless you crossed her. Sweet as she was, my mom had very strong opinions and spoke her mind at all times. In these last days, it was frustrating to see her struggle to speak while her words were restricted by the machines that helped her breathe. She had so much she kept trying to say.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/au9MZBxq3WY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe>I was lucky enough to hear many lively stories from her childhood, such as folks making and drinking dandelion wine in their basements. She told these tales with a sprightly wink and smile. Her best stories often started off with her saying, "I really shouldn't be telling you this but . . . "<br />
<br />
My mother shared kindness and joy from a heart of innocence and honesty. Her jokes were never at the expense of others but she would say things that made my eyes go wide. I would be in a heap of trouble if I divulged everything she said.<br />
<br />
Sometimes I think my mom didn't get enough love back for all that she gave to the world. She was always more interested in helping others than looking out for her own self-interests. I am fortunate to have <a href="http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/starledger/obituary.aspx?n=anita-l-ruth&pid=163023307&fhid=17082#fbLoggedOut" rel="nofollow">a mother who cared about guiding and shaping the lives of all children as if they were her own</a>. <br />
<br />
Whoever you may be, even though she did not know you, mother hopes you are surrounded by love and smiles.<div class="blogger-post-footer">"Always be relentless. Never be ruthless."</div>Joao-Pierre S. Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957814464793600780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725424448439824219.post-38125087998888940862012-12-31T19:30:00.000-05:002012-12-31T19:30:01.010-05:00Talk More in 2013This might come across as sarcastic given that I'm writing this on the Web but I hope we all make more of an effort to speak directly to each other in the coming year. Our growing use of text messages and brief status updates may be useful for sharing quick thoughts however it is not a replacement for talking to others.<br />
<br />
The more we condense our ideas and feelings into bite-size electronic morsels, the less we share our emotive qualities. Furthermore, I believe we lose our sense of our responsibility for what we say when it's just a post or text. When you say something out loud you take ownership of your words, up or down, good or bad. If you feel strongly about something, lend your voice to it. It is not a reasonable expectation to be face-to-face with everyone you want to reach however phones are not just for texting.<br />
<br />
Be safe in the New Year.<div class="blogger-post-footer">"Always be relentless. Never be ruthless."</div>Joao-Pierre S. Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957814464793600780noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725424448439824219.post-89685039404132089852012-11-03T12:21:00.003-04:002012-11-03T12:35:56.681-04:00What I learned from Hurricane/Superstorm SandyAs people across the region gradually put what pieces back together that they can, I've learned a few things from Hurricane/ Superstorm Sandy.<br />
<br />
Our infrastructure is rather delicate. Some of the hardest hit areas have been difficult for repair and rescue crews to reach. In some cases, firefighters had to let homes burn down because there was no way to get the fires.<br />
<br />
Though the shore areas took the brunt of this double-barrel shotgun blast from Sandy, falling trees and tangled power lines made a mess of the rest of the state. And frankly, if towns such as mine could find ways to recover on our own perhaps more energy could go towards the shore. My town has some damage but NOTHING on the scale of what happened at the shore. People here mostly needed gas and power but are otherwise OK. It would alleviate the tougher part of the recovery if there was a better way for people to fend for themselves or at least manage their local infrastructure needs.<br />
<br />
In my area, roads were still largely driveable though toppled trees forced a few detours. People can get around but limited access to electricity and fuel created a whole host of problems. Simply put, without gas or power the bulk of our community was rather screwed. Most homes are not designed to be heated through other means. You might have a fireplace but that will only keep one part of the dwelling warm. Generators are not always an option.<br />
<br />
If it was possible to use other means to at least heat homes, I think more people could fend for themselves. I'm sure the survivalists out there will say they prepared bunkers for such events. That is not what I mean. I'm talking about ongoing, individual sustainability not emergency situations.<br />
<br />
We have structured our lives so that we are rendered impotent without gas and electricity. Is it even legal to use a firewood stove in your house?<br />
<br />
Meanwhile those who live in less modern homes, such as the Amish, are probably going about their lives with little disruption. They had to weather the same winds and rains, possibly deal with damaged buildings (and hopefully no injuries). At the end of the day, they can put in some sweat equity and start to recover on their own.<br />
<br />
As of now, the lack of power in my area is more like an obstacle you have to find a way around but cannot tackle directly. Which is why I have been at the local library getting work done on my laptop. Funny, though I come to the library often I have never seen so many people crowded in here before. I hope they pick up books and read while they charge up their cell phones.<br />
<br />
I even have to chide myself as a writer. All my material is stored digitally. I can't work on rewrites of my novels without power.<br />
<br />
Wireless phone service has been erratic at best, which is not a huge deal but when your landline phone is not usable either . . .<br />
<br />
That probably is the biggest irony. Older phones that don't need external power would still function right now. Good luck finding one of those, no one makes them anymore. Even many corded phones require some sort of additional power for things like caller ID.<br />
<br />
If I may make a Battlestar Galactica TV show reference, the Galactica escaped the sneak attack that destroyed the rest of the fleet because the Galactica used older hardware that the Cylons could not compromise. There is some real world logic in that. We need to rethink this infrastructure and stop tossing away mechanisms that are more reliable than our next generation innovations.<div class="blogger-post-footer">"Always be relentless. Never be ruthless."</div>Joao-Pierre S. Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957814464793600780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725424448439824219.post-19749506968190790312012-11-01T14:16:00.000-04:002012-11-01T15:13:54.151-04:00Hurricane Sandy in my little NJ hoodWe talked about it, watched weather reports in advance of it, but few were truly prepared for what Hurricane Sandy would do to New Jersey. <br />
<br />
This was how it began for me. <br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jhyvrAc8jrk" width="420"></iframe>
<br />
Wind blasting through Monday night, knotting up power lines and flinging trees around. I was not prepared for the massive blue electric blast right outside my apartment so my apologies for not capturing the most visually dramatic part of the evening. It was more than fireworks; the power grid snarled in anger at the disruptive storm.<br />
<br />
The lights wavered in my apartment as the power grid got clobbered. I about jumped out of my skin when a transformer burst. Eventually, The Dojo went dark and I was running on battery-operated gadgets. In the morning I saw some damage but I've not seen the really devastating stuff.<br />
<br />
<embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F108718586958277493558%2Falbumid%2F5805900470832178657%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" height="267" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"></embed>
<br />
At the moment I am writing this blog at JFK Library a few miles from my place. It's one of the few public places with power and Internet access. I got here a few minutes after 10AM when it opened and the place was already packed. If I need to return tomorrow I will have to get here even earlier.<br />
<br />
Damage along the shore is the most severe from what I hear on the radio. Haven't had the chance to see images. Internet access is spotty and naturally there is no TV.<br />
<br />
I have been working every day though. One way or the other I have reported and written news for Xconomy. Not a herculean feat thanks to the library being in a part of town that either never lost power or recovered quickly (not surprising since town hall is nearby).<br />
<br />
It's all a matter of time and patience until the power is back for everyone. Repair work and human recovery for those affected the most are another matter entirely.<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">"Always be relentless. Never be ruthless."</div>Joao-Pierre S. Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957814464793600780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725424448439824219.post-28772723169202379902012-10-18T23:19:00.004-04:002012-10-18T23:19:38.523-04:00Catchy vs. Smarter TV StorytellingSometimes splashy ideas fail to make a splash (at least with me). I can see the intended concepts behind some of this fall's new television shows but the scripts are weighing them down.<br />
<br />
666 Park Avenue--- I get the premise: a young couple eager to move up in life takes jobs as managers of a high-end, historic apartment building that hides a dark mystery within its walls. But how many times must Jane, the female protagonist, gasp in fright when someone surprises her in a dark hallway? Too much n<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">aïveté </span>in a main character dulls my interest in a story. Has Jane never watched an episode of Scooby-Doo or <em>any</em> horror movie?<br />
<br />
Here's an example: Jane goes alone with a flashlight down into the dark, basement where there is a door that had been ominously hidden behind a brick wall . . . she goes through the door, hears a noise, and proceeds to do what you should never, ever do in this kind of situation.<br />
<br />
This is not a recipe for suspense.<br />
<br />
When you cast Terry O'Quinn as an antagonist, the protagonists <strong>must</strong> be equally strong or he will crush them with his presence. All the typical elements of primetime soap operas (infidelity, ambition, murder) are here mixed with the macabre secrets of the hotel. But the storytelling doesn't challenge the viewer. I've seen other shows that smartly deal with everyday people thrust into crazy worlds they don't understand. <br />
<br />
The writing on 666 Park Avenue does little to break cliches. I guarantee you won't gasp along with Jane when the walls start to bleed (Yeah, that happened).<br />
<br />
Last Resort--- At first blush this struck me as a story told by someone who watched "Crimson Tide" but didn't really grasp what they were watching in terms of character development and tension. The diverse story lines are not playing off each other well. The central plot point that got this story started just doesn't hold up. <br />
<br />
The show's premise is so left-field I can't fathom people really reacting this way. In fact some of the storytelling is insulting. Case in point: LT Grace Shepard, the highest ranking female character on the submarine, is portrayed as someone trying to shake off a "Daddy's girl" reputation because her father is an admiral. UGH! Do we need this kind of weak portrayal of a military woman? I wish Kara "Starbuck" Thrace from Battlestar Galactica would show up and whip Grace Shepard into shape.<br />
<br />
The resort island setting feels gimmicky with its exotic and lusty lady bar owner who is developing a romance with a conflicted Navy SEAL. <br />
<br />
Last Resort has some redeeming qualities. Serrat is an effective antagonist; he's a villain who thoroughly believes in his own perceived charm and greatness even when facing off with the captain of a ballistic submarine. With the flick of a switch his broad smile turns into a menacing sneer.Unfortunately he is not the primary antagonist at the core of the show's conflict. He just one of the obstacles in the way and that is a missed opportunity.<br />
<br />
Revolution--- This one is slowly getting better. I can see the influence Hunger Games had on this show much the way Star Wars sparked the development of the original Battlestar Galactica. Young woman skilled in archery and hunting fights for her family in a place that use to be America. The details diverge from there but I think you get the point.<br />
<br />
Revolution has several strong actors in the cast and that helps give it heft. Mark Pellegrino, Elizabeth Mitchell, and Jeff Fahey are alumni of "Lost". Giancarlo Esposito had an acclaimed run on "Breaking Bad". Kim Raver and Billy Burke put in time on "24". The rest of the cast is largely new to me but they do a fair job.<br />
<br />
The show does need to move away from some overused tropes in its genre but the story is revealing some interesting facets. I am concerned that by being a network TV show, "Revolution"might not have much time to grow its audience.<br />
<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">"Always be relentless. Never be ruthless."</div>Joao-Pierre S. Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957814464793600780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725424448439824219.post-77719670621062927002012-09-11T09:29:00.000-04:002012-09-11T09:30:08.429-04:00We all live this day in different waysSome will recall where they were and what they were doing back in 2001 on this day.<br />
<br />
Some will go about their business, perhaps wanting to keep the memories quiet.<br />
<br />
As for me, I will try to keep the details clear in case my young nephews and neice ever ask me what I remember. Over time reactions will evolve regarding 9/11 just as they did regarding the attacks on Pearl Harbor.<br />
<br />
Future generations may look back and just see this day as another point in history. It's up to the people who remember to convey the emotion of what happened and make this moment more than a footnote.<div class="blogger-post-footer">"Always be relentless. Never be ruthless."</div>Joao-Pierre S. Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957814464793600780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725424448439824219.post-10214380099844470072012-07-21T20:13:00.001-04:002012-07-21T20:19:32.453-04:00Aurora, ColoradoAs the country looks for solace in the aftermath of Aurora, I hear a number of my friends with opposing opinions trying to find a fast way to address the tragedy but there are no easy answers, no quick solutions (aside from the coward not doing it in the first place). <br />
<br />
Some folks think that arming people in public might have ended the
attack quickly. The overall logistics of how the ambush went down (he was covered in
body armor, more heavily armed than someone carrying just a pistol) make me
doubt it would be easy to halt the attack (it was a cold ambush) even if police were on duty
among the crowd in the theater. Remember the North Hollywood shootout of 1997?<br />
<br />
Some
people think we need to remove all guns. That just isn't realistic or productive. The attacker
got the weapons legally BUT the illegal gun trade is very active in this country
and fueled by other criminal activity. We
can't pretend guns are going to vanish from the hands of criminals and
crackpots. That horse has already left the barn. <br />
<br />
NO ONE wants to feel naked and vulnerable to some evil miscreant . . . yet I also hate to think of a day when I'm on a
crowded subway surrounded by people who are all armed to the teeth but with unknown
training or respect for firearms.<br />
<br />
We are caught in an arms race against ourselves and I won't pretend there is an easy
answer.<div class="blogger-post-footer">"Always be relentless. Never be ruthless."</div>Joao-Pierre S. Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957814464793600780noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725424448439824219.post-66757876433410925612012-06-17T00:00:00.000-04:002012-06-17T00:00:04.937-04:00One year older, 22 lbs. lighter, still cool as everI have learned over the past twelve months that I can accomplish many things through focused tenacity.<br />
<br />
First there was work, turning a tough predicament into a chance to remake myself. I will never call it a blessing in disguise; I do not believe in such. This is a world full of chaos and opportunity. I got burned here in New Jersey but one year ago today, I got the offer to write news in New York. I may not be writing for TechCrunch or GigaOm but I am proudly competing with their reporters to deliver hot stories from Manhattan's tech scene.<br />
<br />
<embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F108718586958277493558%2Falbumid%2F5753741846135041889%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" height="400" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="600"></embed><br />
<br />
Frankly, it is hard to top work nights that lead me through Times Square while I'm on my way home. There is something about the crush of activity happening there that gets me going. And then seeing the Empire State Building when I look over my left shoulder---well, it is worth the walk.<br />
<br />
A couple of years ago I would not have believed I would be invited to a press conference with Mayor Mike Bloomberg and Google CEO Larry Page. I did not see myself as a reporter of such caliber. The world changes when you stop looking at your future through the biased eyes of others.<br />
<br />
Then there was the matter of getting myself in better shape. I dropped a stone and a half over about three months, which I've blathered about before. Keeping the weight off required a commitment to my own health. It can be so easy to slip into overindulgence. No secret formula helps me maintain my weight. I just got into a routine and stuck with it.<br />
<br />
Yet I still face my ongoing battle to get my fiction published. I sent Root Haven out to one editor who requested a look, I have another editor as well as a few agents to also run it past. Not going to lie, I thought Black Saturday would make the cut. It did get certain editors interested in seeing more of my work.<br />
The focus for now remains on Root Haven but you have not seen the last of Black Saturday, I promise you that.<br />
<br />
I'm too stubborn to give up, ya know?<br />
<br />
So here's to my new year, 39 and counting.<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">"Always be relentless. Never be ruthless."</div>Joao-Pierre S. Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957814464793600780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725424448439824219.post-2897850812364539732012-05-13T23:33:00.002-04:002012-05-13T23:35:04.712-04:00Fifteen Years Well SpentFifteen years ago today when I began my journey in journalism I had little idea what I would eventually commit myself to. At the time I was in the midst of pursuing my bachelor's in English at Rutgers University. My exposure to the news world was limited to what I saw on television and read in the newspapers. I knew nothing about how this business worked from the inside.<br />
<br />
George Taber and Donald Wilson gave me a shot as an intern at the newspaper they ran in downtown New Brunswick. Back then the office sat above the Starbucks Coffee shop on George Street. The proximity of the newspaper's front door in relation to the coffee shop created a strange phenomena.<br />
<br />
Even though you had to walk up a flight of stairs to reach the office and the newspaper's name was emblazoned on the door, random Starbucks patrons popped in with confused looks on their faces. With a little guidance they found their way to the java but you still had to spell things out for some.<br />
<br />
"No, this office is not part of Starbucks. That is downstairs and next door . . . where you clearly saw people serving up coffee."<br />
<br />
As I quietly celebrate this anniversary, the confusion of those lost patrons reminds of the necessity for journalists and news media.<br />
<br />
Before I became a reporter I took for granted how I learned about the happenings in my community and the world. Family and friends might mention bits and pieces they heard but I never got any details unless I paid attention to the news. When you accept secondhand information as fact and don't make an effort to open your own eyes you end up in the wrong place like a lost coffee shop patron.<br />
<br />
And I was clearly confused when I took those first fumbling steps in the news industry. I had no idea New Jersey had a long-running rodeo down in Pilesgrove or that prominent companies such as Toys "R" Us had their headquarters here. It did not really dawn on me until several years later that I simply never paid attention.<br />
<br />
Through the guidance of my mentors I had the chance to grow professionally and moreover as a man. You cannot simply thank people who changed the way you observe the world. Those early days working for George and Don created a whole new future for me that I had never considered.<br />
<br />
The news business changed considerably during my career most profoundly with the rise of the Internet. The startling truth is that the media industry spread the word about the Web yet did little to embrace the evolution the technology represented. Eventually we all became aware that this market had changed forever. The transition has been brutal at times.<br />
<br />
Some news outlets found ways to adapt while others tried to ignore it. Publications went into survival mode. Newsrooms cut staff; print fell out of favor in the digital world. A dangerous notion emerged among the public that news should be available for free.<br />
<br />
I can argue that journalists work hard to gather information and craft stories. And that social media spreads fragments of information, which people are prone to misinterpret when passed from friend to friend. In the end everyone must decide how much they care about details vs. a tweet.<br />
<br />
While some readers do invest time to fully understand news there are those who think headlines are enough to stay informed. Such a pity.<br />
<br />
In times of true crisis, the news industry stops some of its own bullshit and focuses on what matters. Unfortunately we drift back to coverage that "sells". This business is not perfect nor wholly altruistic.<br />
<br />
The way I look at it the First Amendment is a responsibility not just a right. We have to both insist on spreading accurate details while also demanding such in return.<br />
<br />
Imagine a world where no news companies existed. Not on TV, radio, print, or the Web. What if we only had banter from personal connections to inform us of what is happening in the world?<br />
<br />
If you have read this far chances are you don't rely only on social networks for your information. However you likely know at least one person who does.<br />
<br />
Just because it is difficult to get ahead in the news business these days it doesn't mean I want to give up or start taking shortcuts.<br />
<br />
George and Don eventually sold the newspaper. I stayed on for several more years until the beginning of 2011 when there was a "parting of ways" with the new owners. Now I work solely on the Web. I have no fear of change.<br />
<br />
(Sadly <a href="http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/trenton/obituary.aspx?n=donald-m-wilson&pid=155005033">Donald Wilson passed last November</a>).<br />
<br />
My hope is the next fifteen years of my career includes a revival of the importance and relevance when it comes to news. Journalists must not put themselves or popular notions in front of the story. Otherwise we will all be lost like someone looking for the Starbucks next door.<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">"Always be relentless. Never be ruthless."</div>Joao-Pierre S. Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957814464793600780noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725424448439824219.post-40294237527830701572012-04-29T12:18:00.000-04:002012-04-29T12:20:40.098-04:00Building a Better MeIt is funny how losing something teaches you to build something stronger in its absence.<br />
<br />
Fortunately this time what was lost was just excess weight. Before I joined the better body challenge in January I noticed that while I had not necessarily put on extra pounds at that time, I was not carrying my weight well. As I get older so goes elasticity. That is just how your body works if you do not have a regular exercise routine.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LEz1JuNQnsY/T51nXWeQl9I/AAAAAAAAAsQ/wFoGRpgLxvs/s1600/Ignite+NYC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LEz1JuNQnsY/T51nXWeQl9I/AAAAAAAAAsQ/wFoGRpgLxvs/s200/Ignite+NYC.jpg" width="170" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me in December 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A bit of context: In January I clocked in at about 204lbs. Compared with that period when I weighed 225lbs about six years ago, it did not seem so bad. However I was still overweight at 204lbs. when put in the context of various health metrics. And when I looked in the mirror I did see parts, especially around my neck, that were too loose for my taste.<br />
<br />
The better body competition gave me a framework to rebuild myself. Coming out of it as the winner among the guys was a fun surprise. It was hard to get started having never before committed to a serious exercise and diet routine. Early frustration melted away as I found my rhythm. There was no one simple answer for me. I counted calories, watched my intake of fats, sugars, sodium, and cholesterol. Reducing the size of my food portions definitely played a significant role.<br />
<br />
At the midpoint of the competition I clocked in at 190lbs. I had set 195lbs as my goal weight for the entire competition so I was kind of lost about what to do next. Winning was not as important as figuring out where I wanted to be in terms of fitness.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O7P2qh_r3tQ/T51oPPMjAPI/AAAAAAAAAsg/jCoveBqJ7PE/s1600/after2012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O7P2qh_r3tQ/T51oPPMjAPI/AAAAAAAAAsg/jCoveBqJ7PE/s200/after2012.JPG" width="129" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me in April 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I made my new goal 185lbs. since that would put me more firmly in healthy weight-territory. I scaled back my exercise routine for a couple of weeks then kicked it back into gear for the home stretch of the competition. The morning of the final weigh-in I clocked in at 180lbs. at home but my official final weight for the competition was about 181lbs. (after getting dressed to be out in public).<br />
<br />
I had to laugh when I realized I needed to buy myself a smaller belt. Switching from burning weight to maintaining where I am is an adjustment. This morning I weighed 183lbs. and I am cool with that. Trying to put on some lean muscle in place of the unhealthy pounds. Not really interested in getting big, just living well. And let's be realistic, I don't have the time to build bulging biceps like Khal Drogo. I am very glad I "lost that neck."<br />
<br />
I do enjoy the occasional indulgence in comfort food but nowadays I make sure to couple that with extra effort when exercising and balancing the rest of my diet.<br />
Looking back it makes me feel a little guilty about all the times I made double peanut butter brownies and doled them out like some kind of street hustler trying to hook other people on sugar.<br />
<br />
This doesn't mean I have hung up my apron. There will be brownies, cookies, cupcakes, and the occasional <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">crème brulee in ALL their delicious glory. When it comes to making such desserts I still believe in using all those bad ingredients you should avoid because to me that is the point in letting yourself indulge. However you won't see me making these items that frequently. </span><div class="blogger-post-footer">"Always be relentless. Never be ruthless."</div>Joao-Pierre S. Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957814464793600780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725424448439824219.post-14813992567588670082011-12-28T15:23:00.002-05:002011-12-30T15:52:16.560-05:002011 and its life-changing twists and turnsThis was one of those years that tested my resolve but I am rather proud of how it worked out. Last January began with great upheaval and uncertainty. I fought, adapted and overcame in ways that surprised even me. It may be common practice to say something like "It was a blessing in disguise"---that is crap. There is a tremendous difference being pushed to excel and excelling in spite of efforts to push you down. Make no mistake, this year could have destroyed me if I did not dig in and refuse to be anything less than who I am.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e_aH-WAC6Ig/Tv4kU9mEQ0I/AAAAAAAAAn8/GEwGSDgAGu8/s1600/323701_2420264542790_1136700584_32712249_1177305585_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e_aH-WAC6Ig/Tv4kU9mEQ0I/AAAAAAAAAn8/GEwGSDgAGu8/s320/323701_2420264542790_1136700584_32712249_1177305585_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
As I prepare for my return to <a href="http://cesweb.org/">CES</a> I have to admit I let myself think like a bottom-feeder for far too long. My work sharpened up considerably this year; it is nice to be in demand as a reporter. It's even nicer to see blogs run by <a href="http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/27/todays-scuttlebot-touchscreens-and-floating-incubators/">The New York Times</a> and <a href="http://www.betabeat.com/2011/12/06/a-startup-incubator-grows-in-harlem/">The New York Observer</a> piggyback on stories that I break. This is a whole new landscape for me and I am enjoying the journey. I'm working in a different stratum than before and it is great to have that competitive hunger back.<br />
<br />
If I continue on my current trajectory, I will move much closer to New York though probably on this side of the Hudson River. Jersey City is one of many possibilities.<br />
<br />
As far as my fiction writing goes, I think Black Saturday throws people off because it's urban fantasy that dares to use a hoodlicious setting with a protagonist who is not all ripply-muscled and tattooed. The whole rich vs. poor struggle might also be too heavy for some who expect a romance novel dressed up in vampire's clothing.<br />
<br />
One pretty savvy agent called Black Saturday "good writing and I enjoyed reading it" however she was at a loss how to sell it. And yes, she read the whole book. Editors have also praised Black Saturday (and requested my other work) so it is frustrating this story has not found a home yet. It ends up being about getting enough traction in the market.<br />
<br />
Root Haven (a.k.a. Riding Ten Thunders) has found new life, which is surprising for me. Rewrites continue, editors and agents who want to see it will have to wait until I've worked on it a lot more.<br />
<br />
I do worry that the market is obsessed with copying successful books with pale imitators. I see a lot of Hunger Games-clones that may sell a few copies initially but offer no long-term prospects for their authors. Give it a year and the clones will be forgotten.<br />
<br />
I am not in this for the quick cash in or hope to be some kind of overnight success. In fact, I don't "hope" for much these days; I believe. Hope is similar to "someday" and if you read Black Saturday you know my feelings on that particular word.<br />
<br />
I believe 2012 will be an extraordinary year with a lot of hard work ahead and I am thankful for the people who are on my team.<div class="blogger-post-footer">"Always be relentless. Never be ruthless."</div>Joao-Pierre S. Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957814464793600780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725424448439824219.post-75647672703861187942011-09-20T14:46:00.000-04:002011-09-20T14:46:51.765-04:00"No" with one agent could lead to "Yes" with someone elseGot a nice, though confusing, rejection from an agent about one of my books: "The writing is good and I enjoyed reading the material. However, I’m a bit at a loss at what direction I would take in presenting this."<br />
<br />
That tells me while I can write well, the agent did not see a place she could market the book. I have received this kind of rejection before where the agent says they loved some things but they didn't know what to do with it.<br />
<br />
That is fine because in the end you want the one agent who will go to bat for you and help you seal the deal with the right publisher.<br />
<br />
The same can be said about life; you need people who will tough it with you no matter what. Everyone else, though they may take a passing interest, is not going to be there for the long haul.<div class="blogger-post-footer">"Always be relentless. Never be ruthless."</div>Joao-Pierre S. Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957814464793600780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725424448439824219.post-75182393188493274922011-09-11T20:46:00.001-04:002011-09-11T20:47:14.814-04:00I stood upon a mountain and watched the smoke riseA couple of days after Sept. 11, 2001, I found myself at Washington Rock State Park in the Watchung Mountains. From a stony perch, I saw the still rising plumes of burnt dust from the World Trade Center. More than 40 miles separate that mountain from New York City; you could not discern specific buildings among the silhouettes in that funnel of ash, steam and smoke, but you knew the source.<br />
<br />
Though I did not directly know anyone lost on Sept. 11, I remember how I felt that day. The morning started with confusion as I listened to the radio while I drove to the offices of my old newspaper. Details were sketchy then; no one in the news media knew exactly what happened at the onset. The usually hokey morning radio shows took on hushed, muted tones as the on air personalities disseminated information rather than jokes. None of the frivolities that typically preoccupied our lives mattered.<br />
<br />
By the time I pulled into the parking deck on Church Street in New Brunswick, I heard enough to know it was a deliberate attack. After I left my car, I bumped into a coworker and shared a moment of mutual shock. There was little for us to say to each other; we heard similar broadcasts. One of the managers from Old Man Rafferty's, a local restaurant the guys in our newsroom frequented for lunch, also emerged from the parking deck and said, "I just heard; they hit the second tower."<br />
<br />
At that point I already knew about the second tower, however to hear someone say it in person brought more tangibility to what was happening.<br />
<br />
Detailed accounts from eyewitnesses can be found around the Web; rebroadcasts of news footage can be viewed on television, but we must each decide how we reflect upon that day.<br />
<br />
There are dangerous emotions that can run through our veins in response. It's not for me to decide what is the best way to react; I did not lose any loved ones. The day hit me like a mule kick to the chest as if someone stole into my backyard and snatched away part of my community. However, you will not find me going along with vitriolic negativity disguised as jingoism. <br />
<br />
I don't stand on a mountain anymore to look at Manhattan now that I work on the other side of the Hudson River. I won't pretend that I am some newly-minted New Yorker just because I sometimes hunt for a spot to sit down with my laptop at cafés
outside of Columbus Circle. I am proud to walk the city's streets and wait for the express subway train that never seems to arrive when I need it.<br />
<br />
We live in a world of opportunity that is also fraught with events we might not be able to control personally. Rather than ascribe to the notion that "everything happens for a reason", I believe how we deal with such times defines us better than those who seek to assail our way of life.<div class="blogger-post-footer">"Always be relentless. Never be ruthless."</div>Joao-Pierre S. Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957814464793600780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725424448439824219.post-44694164297930992692011-09-02T12:49:00.000-04:002011-09-02T12:49:08.085-04:00The pitch: Ten ThundersI am headed to another pitch conference this time to convince publishers that "Ten Thunders" can be the next big thing in YA fantasy.<br />
<br />
I know I said that "Project X" was my new hot idea and it still is---as a short story. Every time I try to shape the concept into novel-length material it gets out of hand. You can overcook an idea and turn it into a genuine mess. That may change but not right now.<br />
<br />
So I am going back to the <a href="http://newyorkpitchconference.com/">New York Pitch Conference</a> this month armed with "Ten Thunders." I trimmed the title from "Riding Ten Thunders" in anticipation of the changes the editors would likely recommend. Right now I am weighing different comparable titles to mention in the hook when I pitch the story.<br />
<br />
And that is the part I really hate. On the one hand I understand the desire among editors to know who the novel will appeal to but they must be tired of hearing how your story is the next [insert title of any bestseller].<br />
<br />
While some folks have compared "Ten Thunders" to "Things Fall Apart", I know that will go over like a lead balloon at the pitch conference. <br />
<br />
Where does that leave me? Here's one hook I have kicked around but it makes me grind my teeth: "If Shaka, king of the Zulus, drafted the competitors from 'The Hunger Games' to fight in his tribal wars, the story would be told in 'Ten Thunders'."<br />
<br />
Yeah . . . sure. Big winner there.<br />
<br />
I have more material to review as I refine the pitch; I need more comps to work with.<div class="blogger-post-footer">"Always be relentless. Never be ruthless."</div>Joao-Pierre S. Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957814464793600780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725424448439824219.post-4789837247653593622011-08-05T11:18:00.001-04:002011-08-05T11:24:25.790-04:00Change in plan for Project XAfter careful consideration I am narrowing the scope of the new story I am working on. It's not that I don't think the idea warrants more depth; the story works better with tighter focus that really drives the point home. So this will be at most a novella.<br />
<br />
Shorter fiction can deliver a serious punch. You have scant time to waste with characters feeding ducks at the pond unless those ducks represent a major metaphor. The reader is frequently left with a lot of questions to ponder but that is part of the point. It's not always about giving the reader a neat little story wrapped up with a bow. It can be about evoking an emotion or an idea then leaving it up to the audience to sort out.<br />
<br />
This story is about free speech, forum trolls, and socio-political issues; revealing more details would dampen the story's effect. My intent is to shake people up not just enterain. Stay tuned.<div class="blogger-post-footer">"Always be relentless. Never be ruthless."</div>Joao-Pierre S. Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957814464793600780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725424448439824219.post-90113083000759905992011-07-19T11:50:00.006-04:002011-07-19T15:45:50.062-04:00Alas, BordersIt is never fun to hear that a business that you have been a patron of is shutting its doors. Borders, a chain of stores where bibliophiles sip on java while turning the pages of meaty doorstopper novels, is <a data-mce-href="http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=65380&p=irol-newsArticle_print&ID=1586217&highlight=" href="http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=65380&p=irol-newsArticle_print&ID=1586217&highlight=">seeking approval to liquidate in bankruptcy court </a>. The equation behind its demise is more complicated than e-publishing = death to print but changes in the publishing industry surely played a role.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
We have arrived at a strange place in the world of media. While the public often demands to be entertained by new and fresh content, there is a not so subtle shrug of the shoulders when some are asked to sit down and read a book. Gadget lovers may gleefully show off e-readers and tablet devices that let them download scads of books in digital format but---call me old-fashioned---that makes stories feel highly disposable to me.<br />
<br />
Print makes a story physical and permanent while an electronic-only world leaves the possibility for instant erasure. For example, I sold a short story, with much praise from the publisher, to an e-zine several years ago. It was billed as the feature story of the month and given a special place at the top of the website for all to see. Such pride filled my chest that day.<br />
<br />
A few years later while working on a book-length manuscript, I gave that e-zine a look to get a feel for how my writing evolved over time. My short story was gone, deleted even from the archives. When I questioned the publisher, she said she had decided in the interim that my story did not fit the site regardless of the personal praise and payment she gave me. It was if she wanted to erase the fact that at one time my story was worthy reading.<br />
<br />
Yes, books go out of print but the stories shall endure unless you destroy all the print copies that have circulated.<br />
<br />
What will not survive are antiquated business models. Publishers are still sorting out the best way to leverage the electronic market for books. Some people will tell you that authors don't need publishers any more, that you can simply <a data-mce-href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/01/self-published-author-amada-hocking_n_829906.html" href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/01/self-published-author-amada-hocking_n_829906.html">self-publish and trump the market</a>. Such examples are the exception rather than the rule---at least for now.<br />
<br />
Similar expectations surfaced when music downloads first became popular. The hype was that every record label would grovel at the feet of independents who connect directly with music fans. Music downloads have taken their place as a mainstream medium while music stores have dwindled yet the record companies have not vanished en masse. Revenue models have changed and companies must reach their audience in new ways, but the long-predicted demise of that industry has yet to come.<br />
Borders found itself in fiscal trouble in the midst of a market shift but that does not necessarily mean printed books or even publishers are fated to vanish.<br />
<br />
Publishers, whether their chosen medium is music, news, books, or video, gather teams of professionals to hone the material they present to the public. They work to build broad awareness in a market that is quick to dismiss new and unknown artists and writers. E-publishing does not eliminate the need for such expertise.<div class="blogger-post-footer">"Always be relentless. Never be ruthless."</div>Joao-Pierre S. Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957814464793600780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725424448439824219.post-67037228395993406932011-07-16T02:21:00.001-04:002011-07-16T09:22:05.357-04:00A big day<div><p>I will pay my respects to my father today. It's his birthday. Going to the cemetery with some family.</p>
<p>Later this evening is my high school reunion. Twenty years. I expect the day to be filled with history and reflection but perhaps fresh memories will be born as well.</p>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">"Always be relentless. Never be ruthless."</div>Joao-Pierre S. Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957814464793600780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725424448439824219.post-89382792698349891362011-07-10T17:40:00.000-04:002011-07-10T17:40:56.333-04:00Book Project XGot 1,000+ words done so far today. That's like four pages. Once I get to know these characters better the pace will pick up. I'd like to have a clear sense of this book by the end of August. I want to pitch it at the September conference but it must be in solid shape.<br />
<br />
I could pitch Riding Ten Thunders; it fits in the YA category but from a different perspective than the usual Hunger Games clones on the market. Ten Thunders needs some deep rewrites and I do not want to slow down on the new project. I will give myself two weeks to decide.<br />
<br />
I am pretty jazzed about this new project; it's high concept enough to make money for publishers <em>and</em> it still satisfies my need for thought-provoking literature. Just because I am writing to a genre does not mean I must eschew logic and reason. There is room for upmarket books. Look at the Song of Ice and Fire series (the source of the Game of Thrones HBO series). That is primarily character driven with the genre elements there for spice.<br />
<br />
Because the new book idea is sooo new I won't share more details on this public blog at the moment. However, those of you who are in my Facebook posse will get more info.<div class="blogger-post-footer">"Always be relentless. Never be ruthless."</div>Joao-Pierre S. Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957814464793600780noreply@blogger.com0