Monthly Archives: March 2013

Risking It All, Safely

23 Saturday Mar 2013

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The gang at LiteraryCO.com wanted to know our favorite Colorado athletic activity. Probably cards, double solitaire and the like, since hiking, biking and skiing in Colorado is no fun. Because you have to stay on the path. We enter the wild lands to get away from life’s rules and rigidity, for the freedom and the thrill of adventure. Yet everywhere you go—exploring the forests around Grand Lake, skiing the slopes at Winter Park, climbing Pike’s Peak—there are trails. Sometimes with guardrails! As if Colorado was a giant amusement park! Controlled, safe, and worn. You shuffle along on the designated path, while acres of wild, wonderful country surround and beckon and taunt you, accessible to Authorized Personnel Only.

Yes you can go off the trail. But then the going is hard and slow. The footing is uncertain. And it’s dangerous. Is it reasonable to want to shortcut two miles of sedate switchbacks and just down-climb a sandstone cliff? Of course, look how much time you’ll save. But Harris Gray will never shake the memory of that ledge, snapping like a perforated graham cracker, and the really long pause before the unmistakable sound of impact, and some moaning. Healing would come, but only after medicinally-consuming a weekend’s supply of beer in an evening. Gone too soon (the beer), we mourned.

Yet there is a part of Harris Gray (half to be exact) that loves to go off the path. This provides wonderful story material, while the other part of Harris Gray stays safely on the trail, behind the guardrail, enjoying the spectacle, recording, writing. For safe, reckless adventure, nothing beats hiking, biking and skiing in Colorado. And double solitaire.

Slayer entry 16-3627.2 – pirate post to HarrisGray.com

16 Saturday Mar 2013

Posted by in Vampire Vic

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Eugene Vampire Hunter So I guess by now you all know who I am. Eugene the vampire slayer. Ever since the vamps’ lackeys Harris Gray outed me as one of the most amazing slayers in the world, my life has not been the same. You people out there have inundated me with tons of questions. Phone calls, e-mails, texts, Skype, smoke signals, running me off the road. I can’t get any peace. So, I have given in and opened myself up to your questions about the undead, vamps, zombies, the world of finance, relationships. Whatever your query. I will answer. Like the e mail below from a dude in Boise, Idaho. I will not divulge his name. He lives on 8th & Vine.

From:Sent: Tues February 26, 3:38 p.m.To: Eugene TVS [EugeneTVS1@gmail.com]

Subject: Crazy dog lady, & my vampire neighbor

Eugene,

First, I must tell you what a big fan I am of you and your exploits. I am a big, big fan. I have an issue I would like to share & get some advice from you on how to handle it.

I live near a dog park. Let it be known that I like dogs, I have no problem with dogs. I don’t have one myself, but I think a responsible dog owner is welcome in my neighborhood. My issue is that a lot of people with dogs have to pass in front of my house in order to get to the said Dog Park. Most of the people who walk by are keeping to themselves, and are respectful, most. Although, there is one lady who makes it a point to have her dog defecate in my yard whenever she passes by my place. I have placed signs in my yard. KEEP OUT….NO POOPING ZONE. This has not helped. What should I do? Also, I think my neighbor across the street is a vampire. He never comes out until night & is always staring at my neck.

Thanks, and I appreciate the work you do,

S&ev* Jo%es

Well, Mr. ^on$s,

Not exactly my best question, but I have the answers you seek. First, dogs are great to have around. They always know when a Vamp or Vampire-like creature is sulking about. Second, when things get tough and they will. I mean really tough, they are a great source of sustenance. Myself, I have no need or want for mangy mutts. For some reason dogs have never took to me. But I digress.

I would take a direct approach, never assume that the lady is being malicious. Maybe she is just oblivious. A lot of well meaning people don’t have self awareness. It’s a gift that few people have. I have it in spades, but you would be surprised by the amount of clueless, dumb-ass people there are out there. I would meet her at the edge of your yard, but stay in your yard. I can’t stress this enough. Always stay in your yard. Ask her kindly, gently. “Ma’am, I have noticed that your dog makes in my yard. Could you have your dog refrain from making in my yard?” I am sure she will see the error of her ways & have her dog do its business at the park. If not, lodge a complaint with your Covenant Controlled Community. No one wants a covenant violation. As for your neighbor across the street. Take no chances, kill him. Kill him now.

Thanks for the questions, yours,

Eugene > The Vampire Slayer <

Email me your questions, and I’ll reply on this website; the vamp Victor Thetherson isn’t the only one who can stick his hand up inside and make Harris Gray’s lips move.

Vampire Vic Release! Time to Party!

08 Friday Mar 2013

Posted by in Events, Vampire Vic

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Birthing the Vampire

And so it began….

Harris Gray finished their third pint and mulled over their next writing project, simultaneously deciding on a vampire book. Because the women in their lives eat up every vampire story on the shelves. And for the gratuitous T&A. But hunky, smoldering vampires were beyond their grasp; and dammit, T&A should mean something. Deciding to write what they know, Harris Gray returned to their wheelhouse: An aging, uncomfortable man, not so happy with his lot in life. A man bitten by a vampire, unsure what to do with his new…skillset. Vampire Vic – VV – was born. Perfect.

And now it’s time to party with the vampire. Vampire Vic hits Amazon.com today! Enter the Vampire Vic Party Room hosted by Harris Gray. Giveaways (including a Kindle Paperwhite)! Party favors – you know, free downloads, including an original song created for Vampire Vic by DJs Farallon and Emn8! And a world-premiere vlog from Harris Gray, who should stay away from the camera and stick to writing, but won’t.

The Party Room (click image to enter) will be open through March 31st!

Vampire Vic Online Party

This Colorado Life: Favorite Elevated Spots

05 Tuesday Mar 2013

Posted by in meme

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This Colorado Life

March is Colorado Book Month (#COBookMonth), and we’re celebrating with Literary Colorado! Every week through March there’s a This Colorado Life meme, and this week’s question is:

What’s your favorite mountain town? Do you visit for fun, inspiration, nature or something else?

Jason’s picks:

Recently, I have been asked which towns in Colorado are my favorite. Fun question. No easy answer. There are so many great ones. Breckenridge, Vail, Lake City, Gunnison & Evergreen just to name a few. There are a few places that we return to every year.

Glenwood Springs, our family goes there every spring break & stays at the Hotel Denver. We of course go to the springs. We also hike to Hanging Lake. The food in the area is great & this sleepy little mountain town is just our speed. If there is enough snow we go to Sunlight Ski area and get our last skiing in for the season. It is usually a short once a year trip that is all about the family.

The other place we frequent is Grand Lake, more precisely Columbine Lake just outside of Grand Lake. This place is more of an “anything goes” type of place. Sometimes we just meet some friends and hang out. We fish on the lake and surrounding area as well. It’s very secluded, & the mind gets to wander. Lots of writing gets done here with Allan Harris. Many a muse have been consulted & the inspirations put to paper here. Late night fires and serious solitaire is always a must. It’s a place for the family or dozens of friends. Hikes, swimming, fishing, relaxing it has it all. Those two places have a special place in my heart & mind. But I am always up for finding others.

Allan’s picks:

Grand Lake is the official Harris Gray getaway. Yes it helps to have access to a cabin (big house) that we can pretend to own. You’ll need to have a place to crash, at least a couple nights, in order to get any good writing done. (Why else would you go to the mountains? You can get hurt skiing.) A walk into town is the perfect way to get the mind right, ready to write, brainstorming plot developments. And once you’re in, the Blue Water Bakery & Café and the Grand Lake Brewery Company are the perfect hangouts. Here’s the way to play it: a latte and a coffee refill at the Blue Water, which should give you 3-4 hours of focused writing. Maybe a muffin. Then a walk, around town, up and down the boardwalk along the lake, wherever. The air is fresh, keeping the mind clear, and the scenery makes for a beautiful wallpaper backdrop as your eyes unfocus and your legs go where they will, as you plan your next chapter. Then to the brew pub, for a beer or so, where you will write for at least another couple hours. By that time your head will be fuzzy and in need of the walk home, where (hopefully) dinner is waiting, a big meal to take you into an evening of cards or reading, and then eagerly to bed – the sooner you fall asleep, the sooner tomorrow and another day of writing comes.

I’ve heard the Rocky Mountain National Park next door is nice.

Learn more about #COBookMonth and LiteraryCO, here.

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