I’m not dead yet!
Actually, I’m feeling a lot better. Finally!
My tonsils hurt for nearly a week after the shot of antibiotics. I pretty much lived on milkshakes and grilled cheese, and not much of either. The silver lining is that I lost almost 10 lbs. I wouldn’t recommend it as a diet plan, though. I still didn’t talk much over the next week (it hurt), and eating was painful if I didn’t chew my food thoroughly.
But the pain gradually went away, and now I’m pretty much back to normal. A friend got a sinus infection at the same time. We saw each other two days before our symptoms set in. We don’t know if I gave it to him, or vice versa, but we were both sorry. His infection turned into vertigo, while mine made swallowing a pluperfect pain. It took both of us more than 2 weeks to get back to semi-normal.
Thanks to everyone who sent me well wishes. I really appreciated it.
Anyway, that’s only part of why I’m posting.
I’ve had something to edit at the top of my To Do list for a while. It’s another author’s Summer Camp Universe story. I felt guilty working on my own story while I still had his to edit, but he told me he had other projects in his queue, and to feel free to edit Ch16 and get to work on Ch17.
So I did.
I think I have Ch16 ready to send to my reality team. And last night, I did my final editing pass on Ch15 and sent it to my editor. So it’s in the pipeline for publication. I hope by the end of the month, but don’t hold your breath.
On the Ch17 front, I have most of it mapped out in my head, and I spent about 30 minutes this morning rearranging the outline to get everything in the right time frame. Book 4 is more complex than earlier books, with a lot happening offstage. That takes a hefty amount of planning and background work, especially if I don’t want holes in the story.
Anyway, I’m going to finish this post and get back to Ch17. Dunno how much I’ll get written, but at least I’m a) in the mood, and b) have the time.
- Nick
I think I speak for all of us when I say “Yay!”
Glad you’re feeling better, and glad you feel like writing.
Glad you are feeling better! Thanks as always on the update.
At least you could swallow Scotch Nick. :¬)
Whew,
Had us worried for a while, there.
Nick, glad to see you are feeling well enough to write. Now, get well enough to do all the other stuff you’re wanting to do.
~S
@ Sean
No, I couldn’t. That was the bad part. It hurt to swallow anything. My own saliva hurt. I don’t even wanna tell you what it was like when I tried to eat a pita and some hummus. (Pitas are surprisingly coarse and dry.)
I survived the relentless pain of a bone infection, and I think I’d choose it over tonsillitis. Honest. It was that bad.
At least with the bone pain I could block it out (sort of). With tonsillitis, I literally had to work up the willpower every time I needed to swallow. And lemme tell you, it takes a lot of willpower to inflict that kind of pain on yourself. I wouldn’t recommend it.
- Nick
Glad to hear you’re well again. I was beginning to get worried, but know the wait will be worth it. Can’t wait for the next installment. It’s ok though, now I’m going through Al Steiner’s collection. Man he’s a good writer too!!
Eat, drink, write, and feel better. Non necessarily in that order.
David
Glad to hear you are back among the living!
Welcome back to the living – Yea!!!
Hell of a way to loose pounds – don’t think I’d want to try your method, though milkshakes sound good right now.
Achim
You’re right – not the greatest diet plan, but damned effective. When I had strep (the viral kind – antibiotics were worthless), I was in similar pain, and lost about 12 lbs, so I can relate.
Very glad you’re feeling better, Nick. It’s good news on the writing front, too! I confess I’m waiting patiently on that ‘other SC Universe’ story, but not to the point that I want to delay the main story…
Nick:
It’s good to hear you are feeling better now. (Wearing stern face) Try not to over-do it again! LOL
Looking forward to the next chapter.
Damn if it hurt to swallow Scotch you really were in pain.
Mind you I have had some Polish vodka that you might have managed. The first would have hurt like hell but after that the numb feeling would have worked wonders LOL
@ Sean
If I ever get tonsillitis again, I’ll get some of that vodka from you.
- Nick
Glad to hear you’re doing better, Nick. Good news about your writing progress, too!
Hey Nick,
When I was a young child, I had tonsillitis 3 or 4 times a year, until my mom insisted the doctor remove them. It was a rough childhood to say the least.
Can’t wait for chapter 15.
Rich
I had bronchitis for almost 4 months when I was 17, throat was constantly raw and in pain and just thinking about swallowing was painful and took a lot of willpower.
Needless to say, I feel your pain. Glad you’re better.
TL
Hi Nick –
Glad to hear you’re feeling better! I know we’ve all checked your blog to see how you were doing. Thanks for letting us know you’re not pushing up daisies!
good to see you back on the website on youre feet (or butt … watever) and writing again nick , i’m looking forwarth to the new chapters
Glad to hear that the rumor(s) of your death were greatly exaggerated …
Also glad to hear that ch. 15 is on it’s way through the pipe, I’m definitely ready for it.
Shortly after class, an economics student approaches his economics professor and says, “I don’t understand this stimulus bill. Can you explain it to me?”
The professor replied, “I don’t have any time to explain it at my office, but if you come over to my house on Saturday and help me with my weekend project, I’ll be glad to explain it to you.” The student
agreed.
At the agreed-upon time, the student showed up at the professor’s house. The professor stated that the weekend project involved his backyard pool.
They both went out back to the pool, and the professor handed the student a bucket. Demonstrating with his own bucket, the professor said, “First, go over to the deep end, and fill your bucket with
as much water as you can.” The student did as he was instructed.
The professor then continued, “Follow me over to the shallow end, and then dump all the water from your bucket into it.” The student was naturally confused, but did as he was told.
The professor then explained they were going to do this many more times, and began walking back to the deep end of the pool.
The confused student asked, “Excuse me, but why are we doing this?”
The professor matter-of-factly stated that he was trying to make the shallow end much deeper.
The student didn’t think the economics professor was serious, but figured that he would find out the real story soon enough.
However, after the 6th trip between the shallow end and the deep end, the student began to become worried that his economics professor had gone mad. The student finally replied, “All we’re doing is
wasting valuable time and effort on unproductive pursuits. Even worse, when this process is all over, everything will be at the same level it was before, so all you’ll really have accomplished is the destruction of what could have been truly productive action!”
The professor put down his bucket and replied with a smile, “Congratulations. You now understand the stimulus bill.”
the picture of the day reminded me of a joke.
Lady goes to the doctor and tells him “every time I sneeze i have an orgasm”
Doctor – a bit incredulous says “what are you doing for it”
She says… “sniffing black pepper”
Nick,
In Joy over the news of your recovery. Hang in there!
Orb
(Have black pepper, looking for the lady above…)
Congrats on the health front! Can’t wait to read the next chapter.
Nick,
Glad to hear that you are on the road to recovery, I know that tonsillitis can be a real pain not only in the throat but the butt too. Just keep following the doc’s orders and take the meds.
Looking forward to reading Chap. 15 when you are ready to post
Mick
I remember when I was a boy back in the 1950s. They routinely cut out your tonsils and adenoids. Both my brother and I lost ours when I was 9 and he was 7. We shared a hospital room. I don’t know if my parents got a discount for two of us. Anyway, I had been prone to earaches so I am happy I’ve never had anymore in the intervening 50 years.
Glad you’re feeling better. The cold that’s going around this year has been a plague …. Take care of it and you’re sick for three weeks and if you dont… Ick.
Summer Camp has been an awesome series, some of the best reading I’ve seen anywhere. I look forward to see how it ends.
Cmon! Get on with it…it’s been 5 months!!
I just finished looking at “Dealing with Critics” postings and do not often post anything on Nick’s Blogs or his Forums. I would say that I have posted twice, possibly three times. I however have send Nick many an emails since I started reading of SC1 from it’s early chapters. It is hard to believe it has been 7 or so years. I have been reading stories on SOL for that long and then some. I can not remember who suggested SC, but I know it was another author on SOL. (I am leaning toward Frank Downey.). My whole point is how many stories are “dead and incomplete”? I can tell you I have read PLENTY who shut out of a cannon and then died with out another word. I would be interested on seeing how many stories are in “incomplete” status. I can also have seen MANY stories that just stop on a dime with the promise from the author of story continuing at a later date and never a word again. I still remember reading a story 3 or 4 times, because author would start righting and find themselves in a corner and pull story and start again. I can not recall name, but it was about billionaire that brought many women to his private island to find himself a wife. It was very interesting story, but NEVER completed (that I know of. Maybe he printed it in mainstream or something.). My WHOLE point is that it has been 7+ years and Nick is STILL writing. Not only is he in the VERY VERY small minority of INTERNET authors for longevity, but is putting out “publisher” quality plus some. I have read some stories in the “main stream” that don’t even hold a candle to Summer Camp; actually the match to the candle to Summer Camp characters. All I know is if it takes another seven years, than I will wait for seven years.
Forgot to say. I am happy to see Nick is “on the mend”. I have suffered a few bad cases of tonsillitis. Nick is right it is a bad way to lose weight. You can not even eat soup, because it hurts so Bad.
Just thought you’d all like to know Chapter 15 has been up since yesterday. Go into chapter 14 and in the URL change chapter14 to chapter15..
I suppose the title of this post is in response to my email asking if you were dead, probably not my best idea since you were apparently sick. In my defense I have never seen this area of the site and did not know about your illness. One series of books I read had an author die last year, and now the series is being picked up by a newer author and I am not happy about it. I am not sure if you have written this anywhere, but I read that you write about 800 words a day. I understand that you may not necessarily write every day, but how big a buffer do you have going?
Great chapter, really enjoyed it!
Glad that you are feeling better.
I really enjoy your writing and especially the last chapter that was posted this week.
It’s nice to a more complex approach to friendship/relationships than the average out there.
Regards
John
thanks for a great chapter.
I admire how you can present the thoughts and actions of the prime and secondary players.
look forward to reading the next chapter(s).
thanks for that chapter!!! this was the best thing you have written in a while.
Thanks for the great chapter.
The last was painfully recognisable. A relief that it only took Paul a week to come to his senses.
Sorry for the double post — I have a question:
You sometimes take a bit longer to post a chapter(good thing: qaulity b4 qauntity).
This leads me to conclude that you really care about your characters, and the story. Am I correct? Is it because some of the elements are more/less autobiographical?
Or is primarily because this isn’t your day job?
(more than 1 question – sorry)
Hey glad to see that you have recovered nicely. I have been there and would not want the T-shirt.
My last post to your blog started a shit storm (passive/aggresive)– I only wanted to state that we needed a new chapter quickly since chapter 14 left us so down and negative. But many did not take my post kindly!
Chapter 15 is brilliant. LOVE IT!!!
Just an after thought, trying to eat a Pita with a very sore throat, Masochistic at best.
Interesting new story Nick. I like the angle. Haven’t finished it yet. Need to savor it like a fine Port.
A J
In 1985 I broke my jaw lost 35 pounds in 3 weeks and in 16 weeks lost 72 pounds,I lived on choclate milkshakes and tomato soup(NOT A FUN DIET EITHER LOL).Looking forward to reading more but you get well 1st,these things have a nasty habit of comming back.
My sincerest sympathies about the tonsillitis. I came down with chicken pox for the first time when I was 33; to date that is STILL the most miserable two weeks of my entire life, and I’m 47 now…
I Think He’s Dead Now.
HOW DARE YOU COMPLAIN ABOUT THE TIME BETWEEN CHAPTERS. NICK CAN DO WHAT HE WANTS AND WE SHOULD ALL BOW DOWN TO HIM LIKE THE SHEEP WE ARE.
I’d just like to announce that there will be an honorary wake held for Nick Scipio on April 25, 2009 in Chicago for all those who would like to come. Come and pay your respects to the overly-sensitive, irate, and blocked writer. Replacement writers welcome.
dickheads who come on here bitching about how long it takes for a new chapter. heres two words for you to listen to. “fuck off” do you really think that he’s gona want to finish these chapters i dicknobs like you keep giving him crap because he’s not keeping up with your monthly session of wanks. i’ll admit i’d love the chapters to come more quickly but ladies life isn’t fair, grow up, shut up and to the idiot above ” dude who’d attend your wake? that’s right no one
conor, you’re a sheep.
All I can say is you last posters are the exact people that Nick despises.
My reference to He’s dead now, is in regards to not posting a new Blog entry in 2 months.
You people, that think your taking up Nick’s cross and slapping us in the face are just cowards.
Connor said,
‘and to the idiot above ” dude who’d attend your wake? that’s right no one’
Do you know that person personally?? I didn’t think so.
How would you feel, if someone was to say something that bad about you?
Just because someone posts a message you don’t like.
This person could be of high importance in his community and your reply to this, might be, I don’t think so. Again, do you know that person?
I honestly don’t know why anyone would think they’re entitled to anything that someone else does for free. You’re pissed chapters are taking too long? Fine, be mad that someone else can’t cater to your every whim despite the fact that you have neither purchased their services nor earned their favor. You hate Nick, and think he’s a dick? Fine, don’t fucking come here and bitch about how much you hate someone when you’re the one taking your time and investing your effort to hate on someone who doesn’t know you and doesn’t care about your opinion. You’ll be happy, as you won’t have to hear what the “sheep” have to say, and we’ll be happy because you won’t be here. It’s the equivalent of not liking a restaurant, but you keep going back, ordering the veal picatta even though you think it’s dry and the baked Alaska even though it still kinda has that fishy taste, and then telling everyone how terrible the place is while you polish off a half bottle of wine and a slice of key lime pie. If the place sucks, why do you keep coming back?
But no, I’d bet real money that you’ll be back, you’ll post something equally short and stupid, and none of this logic will make sense to you.
firstly to “shepard” if your calling me and others like me sheep then your a hippocrit because by your reasoning we’re following a trend of one view on here? everyone on this site then that reads this book is therefore a sheep. because we’re all here for the same reason following a story so your “statement” has back fired for you. and “leven” i don’t care about the feelings of a commenter if he is on here dissing someones work or lack there of. saying bull crap like” those who wish to attend his wake” i don’t care who you are a statement like that is a slap in the face to everyone who doesn’t feed the consumer’s needs. and seeing as how nick does this for free we should still be grateful even if we are sometimes frustrated. and don’t come on here telling me you know what nick thinks and dispises, none of us do, a blog here and there doesn’t let us understand him, my issue is with you who when you don’t get what you want you have a cry and attack those when it’s not warranted. so whether nick dispises me or not i don’t really care but don’t give the man shit because he can’t keep up with your frustrated wank hand
Notice how the only people in the recent posts above who are actually angry, using profanity, and taking things way too seriously are the ones “supporting” Nick (and I use the word supporting only because I can’t think of a better one at the moment). You all need to R-E-L-A-X.
Boys! Don’t make me stop this car and have to turn around and bitchslap you!!
haha true true. anyways nick i await the chapter on the edge of my seat. hope to hear from you soon
I don’t know whats funnier, the people complaining like idiots, or the people defending Nick like idiots.
He’ll post when he does, shit ain’t gonna happen any other way. Complaining is just stupid. And why get into argument with someone complaining, it’s not worth the time or effort and accomplishes nothing.
Nick, when you post i’ll read, until then, best of luck.
Levon on April 17th, 2009 3:44 am
I Think He’s Really Dead Now.
LOL
“This just in to Weekend Update… Generalissimo Francisco Franco is STILL clinging heroically to death!”
Some math fun to tide you over:
The average number of chapters in the past Summer Camp books is a little over 31.
Nick’s been posting lately around a chapter every 3 months.
Book 4 has already 16 chapters, we “only” need 15 more to go.
At the current rate we are looking at 3 years and 9 months until we get to the end of the series.
Happy waiting!
Dunno about the rest of you, but I do other stuff to pass the time while waiting. Eating, job, bitching at the GF, thinking of cool band names, etc.
It’s a bit long, but I’m sure there’s a good band name somewhere in that “Generalissimo Franco” joke.
you guys know something? Life would suck to be so busy that I couldn’t post a weekly, bi-monthly or monthly post to my blog. Searching for hours for the perfect PotD and then coming up with a caption for it. Stopping by the website and reading all those messages and posting something there. How about us, the ones that just check this blog? I could really care less for all the B.S. subject threads people start on that other site.
No, I’m not talking about a word or 2 but, more like a full page, letting us readers know whats going on in your life.
Haha, just kidding just a word or two would be fine. I had all you whiners going there for a minute, LOLOLOL
Travis,
Do you have any cool band names? I’m in need of one. Maybe something related to the story? Maybe Big Mistake Guy and The Frozen Peas?
Would like see a post from Nick to let us know all is well, or not. Some of us grow concerned about his welfare. Be safe out there its a really messed up world.
I post on the Forum from time to time, and I always update the Picture of the Day. If the POD stops unexpectedly, then you should worry.