July 22 - Hot Project on the Front Burner!

I am in the mid-stages of finishing up a Union-Class Dropship. You Battletech playas will know what I'm talking about. For the rest of you, it's a big egg with landing gear and lots of electronics inside. Sound, landing bay lights - natch, most of it will be lost on the folks at GenCon, where it will be the centerpiece of the new Battletech demo table.

Catalyst Games has taken CBT over from FanPro Germany, and a good thing, too. The guys who have been running it all these years now own the rights. Just got a Tech Manual (hardback) from Bill Burt, a month in advance of everyone else. Thanks, Bill!

I have also been writing fluff for Vladimir Chernovchenko's 'Battletech Technical Readout:3062'. Lotsa people start fan projects, but between his art and designs, and my writing talent, I think this one will actually see the light of day. Most of them don't, and from what I've seen, it's a damn good thing.

My son John is languishing; he thinks Dad is always busy and has no time for him. Gotta admit, the projects have been piling up lately, and most nights I am out in the garage, smoking a cigar and writing. I need to take him swimming tomorrow. Too bad he lost his goggles.....now we have to share.

Oh! I quit my job at Fire King of Seattle and now work in Quality Control for TruLife up in Poulsbo. Twenty minutes away, instead of two hours. Pay is better, they have me on mandatory overtime, I get to wear a nice shirt and tie each day. So far things are going well, though I must remember to keep my mouth shut unless someone asks my opinion....

Well, see ya later!

Cent13

Fourth of July celebration...

Well, the story 'Houses' came in Fourth place this time. I think I rambled too much, or just picked a 'what-if' moment that was too obscure for the judges to really figure out. It wasn't a famous CBT historical battle or person, so they were left scratching their heads and wondering where the change was.

Oh well.

I am hoping the wretches at least give me some decent feedback on this so I can better write next time.

Oh, and a Note to my Future Self: when some ditz over on Classic Battletech Forums starts getting into how cool aliens would be, do not begin by commenting on how unbelieveable an alien race would be that had superior science, but acted like a bunch of goddamned insects driven by nothing outside of ego and appetite.

Alien moral ethics, my ass. That's us on a very bad day. Thankfully not often. "If it bleeds, it leads" would not be a news agency maxim if the bleeding were more commonplace.

Cent13