Giving a Talk to Students

I gave my first talk to college students at my alma mater, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo on Monday evening. It was pretty rad being part of a panel of other talented folks who use writing and new media in their every day jobs. I talked a lot about my work as a Technical Writer, but also got to connect with students afterwards regarding my fiction writing as well.

I am both flattered and thankful that Cal Poly Career Services reached out to me and invited me to talk at this awesome event. I remember all those feelings, fears, and doubts I had when I was finishing up my college career, wondering what I was going to do with the rest of my life. It was really rewarding to get to share my experiences with other students both in Liberal Arts and other disciplines as they decide how best to begin their careers in writing and other new media fields.

It’s funny to think that seven years ago I was finish up my masters and had no job or apparent prospects on the horizon. Since then I’ve worked as a Tech Writer at places like Google and Facebook, and now have my two-book deal signed with St. Martin’s press for my novels. Here’s to the next seven years, may they be as fun and invigorating!   

Go Giants!!!

Let’s go Giants! For the 3^rd time in 5 years my home team has made it to the World Series, and as you can imagine, I’m pumped! After decades of watching the Giants through loss and lean years when I was growing up, I’m enjoying some of the most amazing baseball I’ve ever seen these past few seasons.

To top it off, we got here with a walk-off homer from Ishikawa, eerily reminiscent of when Bobby Thompson did the same thing to the Dodgers back in 1951. I actually got a little misty eyed watching the game (don’t laugh). The Giants win the Pennant!  It’s a great time to be a Giants fan! 

(Note: The video isn't mine, but it gives you a fan's perspective:) )

The Cool Kids

I’ve been pretty crazy swamped with writing lately, and the pace isn’t likely to slow down anytime soon. But I wanted to make sure to check in with all of you! I’m getting close to finishing the first draft of my sequel, and I should have the edits back from my publisher for my first novel any day now. On top of that I have other pet projects and short stories I’ve committed to, so I’m getting pretty nose-to-the-grindstone lately, but at least it’s fun!

Anyhow, this song has been in my head lately as I write and ruminate, so I thought I’d share it with you. A pretty talented bunch of young musicians, not to mention they’re all siblings. Enjoy!

Texas

Hi y’all. I just got back from a vacation in Texas where I visited everything from Fort Worth down to San Antonio. Needless to say it was a fun week full of barbeque, beer, and intensely hot weather.

I got to see great sights like the Alamo, the San Antonio River Walk, and the Fort Worth Stockyards. All in all a pretty interesting trip, especially since my extended family and I all travelled together. It was like a weeklong picnic bonanza with four generations of Noces. And it was pretty darn awesomeJ

I probably don’t need to eat any more meat for the rest of the year, and I’m definitely ready for some cool Fall weather, but I had a pretty good last hurrah of Indian Summer. How are things with y’all? ;)