Word of the Day: curmurring

Since last week’s “Ghost Hunters” inspired tale was well received, my brain hatched another one, just in time for date night. Come with me as we take a look into the world of the paranormal, hearing the thoughts of the ghosts themselves.

Today’s Word:

curmurring

As in:

Grant: We’re not going to hurt you, we just want you to give us a sign that you’re here.

What the Ghost is thinking: “Sure. Like you *could* hurt me. What part of “dead” do you NOT get?”

Jason: “I’ve got a flashlight here, maybe you could turn it off for me? That is if you are here? Come on, turn off the light!”

The Ghost thinks: “What am I, a trained seal? You’re not the boss of me. Why would I want to touch your stupid light.”

Grant: “Some people think you’re a coward. Let’s show them! Turn off that flashlight! Unless, of course, you’re a chicken?”

Ghost: “Why those punks! They called me a… Hey! Wait a minute. They just want me to turn off that light. Not fooling me, bubba. Nope. I didn’t die yesterday, you know.”

(LATER)

Brian: “Como estas? Ghostie? Habla Español?”

Ghost: “That’s Hilarious. They think the Brazilian ship captain is still here. Idiot. HE SPOKE PORTUGUESE you imbecile! And he wasn’t sticking around this dump for eternity, I’ll tell you that much. He had better things to do.”

Steve: “I bet it gets lonely up here with no one to talk to. I’m here. I’ll talk with you. Now’s your chance.”

Ghost: “Why would I want to talk to you? It’s much more fun to rattle my chains when there aren’t any cameras about. After all, the unsuspecting are vastly more amusing. I don’t act on cue, silly mortal!”

Brian: “Hey! Did you hear that sound? that sorta rumbling sound? I think that might’ve come from over there.”

Ghost: “That?! You thought THAT was some sort of paranormal sound? That could be no more or less than your own curmurring! Eat something you shouldn’t have, did you? SOOOOOO glad I can’t smell anymore. I feel bad for that other fellow…”

Grant: “Let’s get the lights on and pack-up.”

Ghost: “Wait! Don’t leave! You guys were fun! The night is still young! Come back! Guys! Hey, I’ll talk to you now! Guys!”

*****************************************

curmurring / cur – MUR – ing / the murmuring, low rumbling sound produced by the flatulence moving through the bowels… Yeah. I swerved a bit into the land of potty humor. Oh well.

Word of the Day: diapause

Some days, I think I’m out of my mind. Actually, that’s not entirely true. *Most* days, I think I’m out of my mind. But, sometimes you are the beneficiary of my peculiar brand of insanity. In some ways, this tale is inspired by real life events.

Today’s Word:

diapause

As in:

Just when you thought it was safe to go to the bathroom, they emerge from their diapause, stretching through the deep, moist earth into any crevasse that offers a modicum of purchase. They reach toward the light and sky, crowding each other in their desperate bids to reach their insidious goals.

Slowly, they creep into chinks in the system, exploiting any hole to a disastrous end. They seek their targets with singular focus, stealthily climbing into your most vulnerable areas. As they continue to grow ans spread, soon they have overtaken everything in their path. The center cannot hold, and the explosive results bring devastation that terrorizes the bravest of human kind.

Any flush can trigger the vile consequences. The seeping sewer sludge forces its way back into the room of its disposal, swelling into tubs and onto floors from that once sacred throne. Nothing can hold back that tide, it ruins all it touches, spreading liquid filth onto anything that might be unfortunate enough to be in its path.

Like horrible tentacles, the deep nutrient seekers of the plant kingdom kings sneak into our unsuspecting plumbing, crushing everything in their paths. The most dangerous of these land sharks, the toes of Great White Pines, hunt and slither all too near our nethers. The deep and tenacious roots of the Dutch Elm brings their own disease into the once solitary and peaceful realms of our restrooms. Arm yourselves against these intruders! Whether by chemical or mechanical means, these flora of fiasco must be stopped, and forced to retreat from our sacred spaces! Only you can prevent forest sires!

**************************

Too much? Probably. And, while my sewer has not erupted lately, well, I suspect it’s only a matter of time.

diapause / die – UH – paws / a period of physiologically enforced dormancy between periods of activity. Primarily, it is applied to insects, but, plants are not excluded. A shade of artistic license, and if you want to see mine, you can see  <strikeout>the forgery</strikeout> it framed on my wall at home.

Word of the Day: furibund

Today has been long. Mondays can be painful. I’ve got nothing to say as an introduction, except maybe, RIP Patrick Swayze. This year has sure been lethal for celebrities, hasn’t it?

Today’s Word:

furibund

As in:

Today on “Supernatural Solidarity,” we take a look at the portrayal of vampires in the mundane world. Why the sudden upsurge of vampires in television and movies? Do these works of humankind accurately portray vampires? Are they a positive step towards a better future for vampiric kind? Do humans have a right to reveal a world they have only experienced in fiction?  If you’ve got something to share, call us at 555-SUP-TALK. We have Justin on the line, go ahead.

Justin: Yeah, thanks for taking my call. As a vampire, I resent all these “defanged” vampires. I mean, honestly, it’s sick. People! You are prey! WE eat you! Stop trying to pretend otherwise and stop showing your creepy fetishes! I am a heartless, cold-blooded killer, and I’m not going all schmoopy for some rosy-cheeked, toothless waif. I got news for you: YOU’RE FOOD! AND, FOR THE LAST TIME, I AM NOT SPARKLY!

Thank you, Justin! No need to get all furibund! Let’s hear from Andrea. Go ahead, you’re on Supernatural Solidarity!

Andrea: Hi! Long time listener, first time caller. Love the show. I think the portrayals of vampires in the media set unrealistic expectations for young vampire girls especially. Not all of us look like Mirian Baylock or even Darla. And certainly, not all Males look like Robert Pattinson. Self Esteem is important!  They not only get the message that every vampire should like like human actresses, but, that all vampire guys want are human girls, and that’s not at all true.

Interesting point, Andrea. Our next caller is Nathan. Take it away!

Nathan: Personally, I love that humans are telling tales of cuddly vampires. Makes them easier prey. They think I’m going to take them for a nice dinner and conversation, and that I’ll be a perfect gentleman, and then… Whammo! Juicy, tasty human! The looks on their faces when they realize I’m eating them and not saying something inane? Priceless.

Ah, Nathan, you rogue! Next from Sandy. Hello, Sandy!

Sandy: I just called to say that I don’t think humans and vampires were meant to coexist in any relationship other than predator/prey. Take the notion that synthetic blood might be widely available, and the world becomes aware of us. Does anyone feel like we’ll turn into fluffy bunny rabbits? I can’t go home to a my crypt without a nice victim for dinner. You can give us all the synthetic blood you’d like, but we’d rather hunt. I’m not the only one. The thrill of the kill is about more than blood, it’s about family.

That’s all the time we have today. Join us tomorrow, when we talk about the most offensive Halloween stereotypes. That’s all for now from Supernatural Solidarity!

********************

furibund / FUR – eh – bund / Maniacal, frenzied, or rabid.

Word of the Day: anamnesis

I had a head filled with story ideas today for the first time in ages, and many of them will be coming soon. This one is decidedly odd. I suspect you all might find it a very strange choice indeed.

Today’s Word:

anamnesis

As in:

Brighton J Josten is pursuing a highly unusual dream. Josten, 47, is a lifelong fan of the television show, “The Simpsons.” His dream? To honor the fab five in an original, live-action stage production.

“There are millions of people out there who’ve never watched an episode of this brilliant comedy, for whatever reason. Some people have bought into the various controversies, and failed to see the show for what it truly is. I want to present the show without the controversy, and maybe grow the show’s audience.”

Josten, however, has run into controversy of his own.

“Most fans think a live-action Simpsons is something akin to a sacrilege. They say without the animation and, most importantly, the voice talent, I’m wasting my time. Since I’m reaching out to people who’ve never seen the show, I won’t be fighting any residual anamnesis. These people will have no knowledge of what the voices *should* sound like. They’ll also have no experience of the more “cartoony” facets of the show, so, I can present things more “realistically.”

Because of the copyright issues involved with using “The Simpsons,” a property of Fox, Josten has called the project, “The Jostens,” and is making the show a drama. Gone will be the trademark zingers, famous character quotes, and theme music. Josten insists the changes are “superficial,” and that, at its core, “The Simpsons” has always been about the struggles of a middle-class American family, who, despite their imperfections, always stay together and love each other.

Josten begins the casting process next week. The actors who’ve seen portions of the script for audition purposes had no hints that the play was loosely based on the popular long-running television show. Said one actress trying for the part of Margaret Josten, the youngest Josten daughter, “I’ve got like 20 lines of dialog in the opening Act alone. This is nothing at all like “The Simpsons.” It’s really pretty heavy stuff, too. Like, wow. A complete downer. The father’s a barely literate knuckle-dragger who beats his kids, especially his son. Somehow he’s managed to remove all of his wife’s self-esteem, so she never leaves him, and despite his incompetence and idiocy, he manages to keep his highly technical job? It’s really messed-up. I just thought it was like avant-garde.”

Other critics have emerged, “Seriously? This guy calls himself a fan of ‘The Simpsons?’ He’s completely missing the point. Take away the animation, and the show is too brutal to be seen. It’s like he’s trying to link himself to the show to bring in audiences, or gain press, but, those who come expecting to see anything remotely *like* the show will not only be disappointed, they’re likely to be traumatized.”

****************
Not much more to say about that.

anamnesis  / ann – am – NEE – sus/ the recalling of things past; recollection, reminiscence.

Word of the Day: pareidolia

This is starting to look like 2 for 2. Yay! This story was, in part, inspired by “date night” which is every Wednesday night at my house. On Wednesday night, my sisters and I sit in front of the TV and watch Ghost Hunters together, mocking it without mercy via instant message. This Wednesday happens to be 09/09/09, so, it seemed that pairing numerology with the paranormal is an obvious fit.

Today’s Word:

pareidolia

As in:

Tonight on Ghost Hunters: The team is joined by the winner of our first ever viewer drawing, Andrew Kahler, as they investigate a former factory turned museum. Could it be that some workers never left?  Then, Tango and Steve find themselves facing their worst fears in an ancient, abandoned hospital. That’s all coming up on tonight’s Ghost Hunters!

The Investigation
The Wyatt Factory, 9:09 PM Sept. 9, 2009

Andrew: Guys, this is *so* awesome to be here with you tonight! Man, I *love* the show. Do you remember that one time, when Grant’s jacket was yanked? Man, that was *so* cool!

Grant: Yeah, Andrew, that was great. We should probably be paying attention to the investigation.

Andrew: Sure thing, boss. Hey! Do you guys see that face over there? Look! Oh, man!

Jason: I don’t see anything, sorry. Grant?

Grant: Nope, I think that’s just the light reflecting off the paint.

Andrew: But, look, it’s got a nose, and part of a mouth, and that there could be an eye.

Grant (tilting his head): Um. Well, I guess if you’re Picasso, maybe, but, really that’s just a reflection.

Andrew: Seriously, guys, that’s totally a face!

Jason: No. It’s really not a face. It’s nothing.

Andrew: Well, maybe the cameras caught something.

Grant: Sure. You can go over the evidence with Tango and Steve.

The Evidence:

Andrew: Guys! Look! Do you see that! Right there! It’s an orb! It’s moving, and it’s red!

Steve: I’m pretty sure that’s just a lens flare. Yeah. See, here?

Andrew: Woah! Look here! I found something! Look here. There’s a face in the floor right here. It looks exactly like that dead kid they mentioned!

Tango: Nope. That’s just the wood grain.

Steve: Look, we’ve got 20 hours of footage to go through, We can’t stop every 2 seconds to look at something that looks vaguely like a face.

Andrew: Well, I’m going to make sure Grant and Jason take a look at these

Tango: Yeah. Whatever. Sure.

Grant: I agree with Steve and Tango, there’s nothing here. I think, Andrew, you may have an extreme case of pareidolia. We’ve seen it before. You see it in those people who have found rutabagas looking like Jay Leno, or who see the face of the Virgin Mary in taco shells and…

Andrew: I saw that taco shell, and not only was the Virgin Mary clearly defined, but, on the other side was Christ and His disciples. Judas even had horns!

Grant: Yeah, right. Like I said. You might want to talk to someone about it. It’ll probably make things easier for the people that you know…

*********************************

pareidolia / pair – EYE – doe – lee – ah /  a type of illusion or misperception involving a vague stimulus which is perceived as clearly being something

Word of the Day: plunderbund

I’ve been thinking lately, and came to the conclusion that I’m fooling myself if I’m going to ever work on this again without a deadline. So, whether or not it’s challenging, I’m going to do my best to get one of these out every weekday, and I’m going to tell the best stories I can. Surprise! Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Word:

plunderbund

As in:

Millions of American parents were stunned today when nothing at all happened after President Obama addressed the nation’s school children.

Not only were there zero reports of pestilent rains of amphibians across the nation, there were also no reports of livestock giving birth to winged, fire-breathing demons, nor any news of the dead rising to demand brains, much less bite the living.

During the broadcast, the life forces of the children were not sucked into the televisions to be transferred into the batteries of President Obama’s death ray, which is presumed to be used on those people deemed likely to use expensive medical treatment under the President’s proposed health plan.

After the broadcast, teachers reported that the children appeared to be unharmed by the broadcast, and “didn’t seem to have turned into soulless, brainless, automatons,” though one teacher admitted that “most of them didn’t seem to pay that much attention to the presentation.”

Despite the initial resistance some parents felt towards the program, most of the negative consequences never materialized. The only consequence that did appear was that students who did listen, learned something about gaining information “first-hand,” and not distilled through the lenses of the media, which was a refreshing and enlightening experience for them.

Says Brian Kerns, a student at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, “Most every reporter I talked to seemed disappointed that nothing scandalous occurred. It’s like they really wanted there to be a scandal or something sinister. I suspect the real plunderbund to be between the media, their advertisers, and various political powers. It’s not about news or public good, it’s about making money.”

Other reporters declined to comment on this, however, more than one indicated that Brian Kerns is a known socialist, with a reputation for violence and a predilection for pornography.

***************

plunderbund / plun – DER – bund / A corrupt alliance of political, commercial, and financial interests engaged in exploiting the public.

Snow Day, Yay?

Working from home has many advantages, but, today I learned of one disadvantage. Denver was struck by a blizzard, and while most everyone got at least a partial snow day, I, who wasn’t going to face the asphalt jungle anyway, had no excuse not to work.

I’m feeling ripped off.

While my friends lounge in PJs and enjoy an unexpected, paid day off at home, I’m sitting sadly at my computer screen trying to figure out how to make the situation work for me.

“Um. Didn’t you hear? Huge blizzard. Yeah. Kitchen Pass was closed, and I couldn’t make it to the office, you can just give me money, right?”

Sure. I could take a weather day, but, there’s no money in it for me. Which means, I had to brave the elements, find an alternate route to the office through Bathroom Flats, and make the best of a snowy day.

As I sat in front of my computer, it was sorta like looking out the window at the kids enjoying recess while I served my detention in the classroom with the teacher. They laughed and played, their red, happy faces positively glowing with exuberant joy.

This is not a particularly powerful motivational tool.

“But, Mrs. Larson! All the other kids are making a snowman! We’ve not had snow in ever so long! I’ve never even gotten to make a snow ball since <i>last</i> winter, and they’re making snow men and snow forts and angels and having a huge snowball fight! Can’t I do my detention <i>tomorrow?</i> I promise I’ll stay in all next week! <i>Please, Mrs. Larson? Please?”</i>

She ignores me.

I stare at the computer. I hit the reload button. Facebook tells me that everyone else is having the Best.Day.Ever.

I decide I should shovel. That’s the ticket! I’ll get my responsibilities as contentious neighbor and homeowner done, and take a break from all the nothing I’ve accomplished, and I’ll get it out of my system! Brilliant!

I shovel. There’s about four inches, and it’s fun to be out in the winter wonderland! I get done way too soon, and go back inside.

It didn’t help.

I’m still staring at the computer. The snow continues to fall. Some of my friends, who went to work, have now been sent home. Although it’s taking them 8 times longer than usual to get home, they are getting paid to sit in traffic. They’ve got a nice weather-related war story to share with the other storm survivors for years to come. I’ve got deadlines and a blank screen, taunting me. They’re going to get to stay home Friday, too. I hate them.

Wait a second. Maybe I don’t hate them. I can <span style=”font-style:italic;”>use</span> this. Harness the pain to some sort of lame blog post! Yeah! That’s the ticket! But what will I do tomorrow?

Battlestar Galactica’s Last Stand

Tonight is the ending of what has become one of my all-time favorite television shows. For the last few years, Battlestar Galactica has been consistently one of the best shows on television, and it is with mixed emotions that I wait for the 2-hour finale.

What’s even more surprising to me is that I almost missed the boat entirely. I’m still doing penance for doubting that it would even be worth watching.

To understand this, you have to take a trip in the way back machine. Come along, won’t you? It won’t hurt a bit.

It’s 1989. My favorite show was Star Trek:The Next Generation. I was in high school, and, I’m geek enough to admit, a member of the Official Star Trek Fan Club. (Shhh. I was young and geeky. Now I’m just geeky.) The fan magazine told of the unique opportunity for writers that the show represented. It was the only show where would-be writers could submit unsolicited spec scripts, even without agent representation. Michael Piller, the late, great, executive producer, was the guardian of this program, and he discovered some fantastic writers. Several of these are among my favorite writers working today.

The first writer I’d heard about who got a staff position through this program, was Ronald D. Moore. I remember thinking how cool it was that a fan could get a job on the show, even though I was not considering being a television writer (that idea came to me much later). I also imagined how much competition there must be, and felt a bit sorry for the people who read these spec scripts. I wondered how much crap they had to wade through to find someone whose script was even remotely produce-able.  At that moment, Ronald D. Moore became the first television writer whose name I recognized, and to whom I paid any attention.

But, the bad news is that I only seemed to notice when the episode was not my cup of tea. I started to associate him with all the “Klingon episodes” he wrote, and that was it. You know the ones, “Sins of the Father,” “Reunion,” “Redemption,” and “Rightful Heir.” I really disliked them, bordering on actual hatred. They bored me, and always seemed pretty one-note. The Klingons, with the exception of our “hero” Klingon, Lt. Worf, were idiots. I started to cringe every time I saw his name in the “written by” credits. Inwardly, I thought “Grrrrreat. Klingon episode.” and mentally marked it as a waste of an episode, and checked out. I figured that someone who could only write Klingon episodes wouldn’t amount to much once there was no longer any Star Trek in production. I stopped paying attention to him.

Fast forward to fall 2003.

Carnivale had just premiered, and I went over to a friend’s house to watch the first few episodes of the new series. It looked interesting. We watched the first episode, I really enjoyed it, and settled in to watch the second, when I noticed a name in the credits. Executive Producer, Ronald D. Moore. The cringe came back involuntarily. And yet, I’d <i>liked</i> the first episode. Surely, this wasn’t the same guy.

About that time, I learned that the Battlestar Galactica miniseries is in the works. I had fond memories of the original show, but, by now I’d seen it as an adult, and knew it really was a terrible show. Why would they try and resurrect it? And there were all these rumors. Starbuck is a woman. So is Boomer. Sounded sketchy. Helming the show? None other than Ronald D. Moore. The Klingon guy. I was no longer even remotely interested.

Then the miniseries aired. I didn’t have cable, and, I wasn’t really interested, so I didn’t watch it. But, the reviews were surprisingly good. And Edward James Olmos was on the show. There were rumors that it was going to be a series.

When it aired as a series, again, I didn’t tune in, no cable. Some friends had it on tape, however, and set the miniseries and the first half season in my hands. Semi-reluctantly, out of obligation, I sat down to watch it.

It was riveting. I was hooked. I wanted more. This was exceptional TV.

I still couldn’t believe this was the same guy, so, I IMDB’d him.

Yup. Same guy. But, this was a chance for me to see the whole picture, which I’d missed. He hadn’t *just* written Klingon episodes. there was “Tapestry,” one I quite liked. And “Data’s Day,” which was also good. Plus, several others were “non-Klingon,” and certainly above average.

Which meant I was very, very shamed, and it was time to eat a whole bunch of crow. And to get cable.

I really, really, really loved this Ronald D. Moore guy. His “re-imagining” of Battlestar Galactica capitalized on the things from the original series that I had always wanted to know more about, but were never really more than “flavor” in the original series. I’m really going to miss being on this journey. Thank goodness for DVDs. Bring on Caprica. So say we all.

Thank you, Mr. Moore. I’m sorry for being a stupid kid, and for thinking uncharitable thoughts.

Requiescat In Pace

Today the Rocky Mountain News published its final issue, 55 days short of its 150th birthday. Even though I knew it was coming, it was hard to think that Colorado will be without the paper older than the state itself.

After I’d read through the issue, the first physical copy of the Rocky I’ve read in ages, what I most lamented was the sense that the Rocky grew along with Colorado, and is more inextricably linked to the state’s heritage as any current institution could ever be. This solid thread to our pioneer past has been cut.

As I pondered these thoughts, I had a brilliant idea. I would go and visit the final resting place of the founder of the Rocky, William Newton Byers.
Grave of William Newton Byers, with the final issue of the Rocky Mountain News
I was not the only person to have this idea. Maybe “brilliant” is the wrong word.

As I drove into the entrance to Fairmount Cemetery, the local NBC affiliate had a news van exiting the cemetery. Of course, they may’ve been there for some other purpose, but, I like to think they’d swung by to pay their respects.

When I got to the grave site, I found that it had been decorated with a black wreath, circling today’s final issue of the newspaper that Byers had started with the printing press he’d hauled across the plains. Well, he didn’t haul it. Oxen did. But he drove. Byers was 28 years old.

Byers was one of those people who really saw the potential of Denver. His paper was the first published, just days after arriving in town, and beating the nearest competitor by a mere two hours. That other paper didn’t last.

The Rocky’s first “home” was a very rickety hint of a building, closely matching its frontier environs, where all the buildings were held together with good thoughts and a handful of nails. In the fifth year of operation, there was even a flood which carried the “building” and the printing press floating down the Cherry Creek.

The paper survived despite these things. The biggest reason? Byers had an over-riding vision for the paper’s role. He used high quality paper, and made the content indispensable. He was widely respected, and people wanted to hear what he had to say. These ingredients never go out of style, and had the current owners of the paper been as foresighted as its founder, those qualities would’ve carried the Rocky for another 149 years, 10 months and and 5 days.

Byers sold the paper after 19 years, but, remained committed to promoting the city of Denver, which he dubbed “The Queen City of the Plains,” and to the state of Colorado. There’s a town, a street, and a middle school named in his honor.

I’m sad that the Rocky Mountain News has moved from a record of Colorado history to a part of it. Rest in Peace.

Joining the Gig Economy

I remember reading about people who got good jobs, worked at the same company for their whole careers, and then retired with a gold watch and a lovely pension after 40 years of service. I think it must’ve been a book of fairy tales.

Certainly, no one I know has worked for the same company their whole career. Very few have even been at the same place more than five years, and only a handful have hit the decade mark.

I’ve been thinking about all this quite a good deal the last few days, as I have, once again, become unemployed. This is the 5th time over the course of the last 12 years I’ve found myself laid off.  My penultimate (Look it up. It’s good for you) job even sent me my own job to post on their web site (they wanted someone that had more credentials and they wanted to pay that person much less than they paid me).

Of the five layoffs, four of the companies are still in existence. As befitting a geek in this age, I’ve also been part of four different dot com startups. Three of those failed. One still owes me money.

I don’t mention any of this so that I can get sympathy, or to make anyone uncomfortable.  I say it because each layoff has made me see that I’m not really wanting to jump back into that world. I’m hoping to be able to look back at this as the turning point in my life, where I’m not going to be afraid that one day, someone’s going to come in and tell me to take my stuff and go. I’m not going to have to suffer weeks of anxiety from the moment layoffs present themselves to the moment that the axe falls.  I’m hoping to turn it into an opportunity to fall on my own face. Or, maybe, be a successfully self-employed whatever I am.

And, it turns out, I’m simply joining part of the new “Gig Economy.” Increasingly, more and more people are doing this type of “piecemeal” work, multiple jobs, many different types of work, and doing whatever it takes to earn the basics of their livelihood. I listened to a discussion about this trend on NPR last week, and they said that one-third of all workers in today’s economy make their living in this fashion.

I still think the web holds an unprecedented opportunity for people to be able to build a business out of practically nothing. I’m well aware that it’s not a get rich quick environment, but, after several months of working at it slowly, the first seeds are starting to bloom, which has surprised even me.

Part of me has always craved the security of having a job, and knowing that I’ll always have a job. I’d even imagined that if I did have a job, I’d work for the same company until I retired. I’m a loyal sort of person.  Also, I really hate job hunting. Ironic, isn’t it?

My ultimate goal was to quit my job when I had managed to get a consistent revenue stream secured. No matter. There’s no time like the “living on severance” time. Here goes nothing.