THE PEN AND THE SWORD

2008 Goals Achieved…Now onto 2009…

2008-12-31T03:41:07Z

Every year I keep a record of all my accomplishments as a way of measuring my progress in the key areas of my life. I also post a select number of these accomplishments and or progress in my blog as a way of providing leverage to continue achieving. Here they are in no particular order:

Writing Goals

Submitted short stories to 15 fiction markets
Made key decisions about my writing career and the fiction genre and form I’ll be pursuing in the coming year.
In combination with my creative writing class, I wrote two literary fiction stories.
Won a contest to have 100 pages of my novel reviewed by a former Tor Books editor. I received the evaluation and found it helpful.
Edited 200 pages of my first novel.
Joined Author’s Den but I haven’t done anything with it yet.
Provided information for students who were interested in writing and publishing

I have to admit I’m a little disappointed. A year has gone by and I didn’t get any short fiction sales. To be fair, I spent a good deal of time working on novel length fiction and didn’t write much new short fiction. Still, it’s kind of a punch in the gut not to make any headway on short fiction sales. My creative writing class gave me the opportunity to work on some “literary” fiction and I’m hoping it will be good enough to sell. I might also be able to take some of our exercises and urn them into flash pieces. I’ve already ramped up my efforts to start gaining momentum for the new year.

I was able to edit a good amount of my first novel (this is really my second novel but the first one is such a mess I’ve abandoned it for now). I also picked up on a theme that I need to bring out more fully to make the book as unique as I’d like it to be. But I’ve found that I don’t have a lot of patience in the editing department. This means I’ll be writing more slowly and methodically so I don’t have as much editing to complete at the end of a 400 page manuscript. And the editing has kept me away from at least three projects I’d like to start and/or continue.

Martial Arts Goals

I attended the grand opening of the Winchendon Martial Arts Center
Regrettably I was unable to attend New England Warrior Camp this year.
I bought a boken with a scabbard to practice sword draws
I bought a flex action sword and bo for full speed training.
Bought two Tiger Claw TC 2000 Gloves for randori etc.
Earned 4th Kyu
Attended SKH Boston Seminar
Attended 2008 SKH Fall Festival
Began training Patty in some basics (kihon)

This was a tough year for me physically. I damaged my shoulder during training and I’m still working on getting back to 100%. Then I suffered through a stubborn bout of bronchitis. My coursework also took up more time than I expected. Still, I was able to go to all the seminars with the exception of New England Warrior Camp. This would have been my eighth year at this event and I hated not being able to go. My college classes were more a barrier to NEWC than my health. Some weight also snuck up on me but I already started my plan to get rid of it. I’m hoping for a much more vibrant 2009

Business Goals

Continued selling books and DVDs on Amazon
Made major progress and major decisions on a business I’m not at liberty to discuss at this time.

Health

Had my shoulder and knee fixed at Muscular Solutions
Bought digestive enzymes to use with Protonix
Had teeth cleaned twice and an old filling replaced
Began using a prescription toothpaste with extra fluoride
Started taking Zyteck for allergies
Got over a really bad case of bronchitis
Had a check up with my doctor.

Cars

Had a scratch fixed on the rear quarter of my car
Had front end on Patty’s car replaced after it was hit in the parking lot at work
Completed all regular maintenance on vehicles.

Financial

Became an affiliate of a program that didn’t pan out but was a good experience
Patty got a new job that she really likes and a pay increase
We increased 401K contributions
Started a drip plan for Walgreen’s stock
Utilized comps and rewards programs for extra income

Education Goals

Entered my senior year at UMASS
Inducted into Gamma Delta the UMASS Lowell chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda: the National Honor Society for students in continuing Studies, Corporate & Distance Education.
Currently listed as Magna Cum Laude.
Biology B+
Biology Lab A-
Creative Writing Fiction A (If I didn’t get an A in this class I’d have to wonder and so would you).
Intro to Philosophy B+

Charity/Community Service

Served as a juror in a drunk driving case
Voted in presidential election
Contributed to the presidential campaigns of my choice
Met my giving goals for charity

Thing Goals

I’m not much of a gamer but I got a PS3 primarily for Blu-Ray. I know I said I hated Sony especially with what they did to Toshiba and HD. But I have to admit that Blu-Ray is better than HD and having the PS3 connect to my wireless network is very convenient. I just might never step into a movie theater again!

Patty and I are using the Amazon Kindle. I wasn’t sure if I’d like an e-reader, even a next generation one like the Kindle. But I’m enjoying the hell out of it.
To maintain our geek status we upgraded to Crackberry—er-I mean Blackberry phones. I haven’t done much with mine yet except use it as a phone but when I get some time I’m going to have to learn how to use this thing.

Planning

I switched to Franken Covey Plan Plus for Outlook. I still think Anthony Robbins RPM system is better but now that I have a blackberry I want to be able to take my planning on the go. Also, I find that I spend more time on the computer planning. So I’m using the RPM thinking method and weekly planning and then I’m using the Franken Covey ABC 123 for my daily planning. So far it’s been working pretty well for me. I would love to see an RPM expansion pack for FC Plan Plus for Outlook.

Travel

I went to Ohio for the SKH event. That was the only traveling I did all year. If you count the airport I was also in northern Kentucky.

Friends/Family

Made contact with some old friends we haven’t seen in about ten years
Sent out holiday cards (okay, that was leveraged to Patty but at least they were sent out)
Made time to visit friends and family
Had niece and nephews stay over because of the power outage caused by the storm in Central Mass.
Visited my family for Thanksgiving and my in-laws for Christmas.

House

Had the AC flushed an the furnace checked

That’s all I can remember. Onward to 2009!

It's that time again! NEWC 2008

2008-09-04T11:59:15Z

This October: NEWC 2008.
Coming October 3~5

New England Warrior Camp 2008

"Eleven years on the path"

You are invited to a unique gathering of Budo Taijutsu practitioners, immersing yourself in three days of training in the ancient Bujinkan Warrior Traditions. This year's even features instruction by many of New England's finest Bujinkan Shidoshi. Training will take place on a private camp located in the historic Sudbury River Valley 25 miles West of Boston, Massachusetts.

This years event Includes:

Three days of training

Meals on Saturday & Sunday

Lodging in rustic dormitory camp style cabins or tenting option

Nighttime Personal & Environmental Awareness Training exercises (PEAT)

Naturalistic Whole Body Physical Health and Conditioning exercises (GYO)

Commemorative certificate & t-shirt

Plus much more.

This year's themes: Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu & Bujinkan Kenjutsu

Payment Options:

The total cost of the camp: $215.00

If paid in full by September 3rd: $190.00

For those who prefer to bring a tent: $180.00, or after September 3rd: $215.00

A single day of training (Saturday or Sunday): $115.00

A $50.00 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot now!

Please make checks payable to:

The Winchendon Martial Arts Center

Whats new for 2008?

This year, for some but not all sessions, we have switched to a breakout session format. Click here for the form . Also, please note we have a new mailing address and all checks are made payable to: The Winchendon Martial Arts Center.

John & Jane Dojo scholarship (JJDS)

Each year someone would like to attend NEWC but for a variety of reasons cannot afford to. Because of a generous anonymous donation made in 2007, NEWC started the JJSDS which allows two folks, a man and a woman, to attend camp cost free excluding the $50.00 deposit and here is how:

The person is sponsored by three of their peers in writing or e-mail with a brief description of why they are being recommended
The request is reviewed by NEWC directors and their decision is final
Processed on a first come first serve basis recipient & sponsors are contacted. In keeping with the spirit of the scholarship recipients are not made aware of the sponsors.
If you know someone who fits the criteria, why not sponsor on their behalf.

Contact Information

www.winmartialarts.com

manager@newenglandwarriorcamp.com

The Winchendon Martial Arts Center

23 Central Street Winchendon, MA 01475

Call 781-864-6713

Rant

2008-06-23T15:32:11Z

In the spirit of George Carlin I present to you this rant. I don't think George, if he were still alive, would agree with most of what I have to say, but I'm sure he'd say, "That kids got spunk!" Or maybe he wouldn't.

What's Wrong with America?

Did you ever notice that the people who bitch the most about America never leave? Where are they going to go? You never hear anyone say, "I know! I'm going to move to China!" You never hear anyone say, "I'm going to buy a vacation home in Afghanistan." If America is so bad why do we have an illegal immigration problem?

Many people today are all hot for universal health care. I mean, socialized medicine has done Japan a whole world of good. Now the Japanese government is measuring the waistlines of their citizens and making weight loss mandatory. Better think about that the next time you're sitting in the drive-thru at McDonalds.

Many people think corporate America is out for itself. It aint. Corporate America is out for its shareholders. Here's some rocket science: become a shareholder, and then corporate America will have to care about you. Besides profit, their shareholders are all they care about. While you're at it buy stock in the oil company of your choice. While everyone else is lamenting higher gas prices you'll be celebrating.

If you're reading this you have internet access. And internet access gives you the ability to do all the research you need plus buy stocks without a broker. Stocks can help you live more of the "American Dream." You can make more money investing than you can with your job.

"But Dave," you say, "I don't have the time to research the stock market." Listen, if you're reading my blog, you have the time. You're just not allocating it very well.

"But Dave", you say, "I don't have the money to buy stocks." Here's a clue: stop sucking down three mocha lattés a day at Starbucks and put your money where it really matters. Begin investing in your future. But, hey, let's increase the capital gains tax so we can't even use investments to get ahead. Let's tax the oil companies so they'll pass the expense back onto us, the American consumer. Let's whine about how bad things are instead of working to fix our lives.

If you're wondering what's wrong with America look in the mirror. And then go out and do some work to change it. If it doesn't start with you, it doesn't start with anyone. Because when it comes right down to it, when you ask what's wrong with America, the only answer I can give you is: nothing. Nothing is wrong with America. Stop your whining.

End of rant.

Note to self: don’t publish any more rants.

RIP George

dnorthmartino @ 2008-06-16T20:22:00

2008-06-17T00:23:59Z

I found out today that I'm the winner of the Anna Genoese editorial contest. Anna, a former editor for Tor Books, will be reviewing/editing 100 pages of my first novel. This is very cool but what's even cooler is that Elizabeth Donald (http://www.elizabethdonald.com) and her team raised more than $2,000 for cancer research and support services by holding this contest in conjunction with the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.

My wife lost her mother to cancer when she was only six years old, so this is a cause that resonates with us personally.

I want to thank Elizabeth and her team for all their hard work and Anna for providing the contest prize.

You can still give a donation through Elizabeth's Relay site here: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=3994307&fr_id=6942&pg=personal&JServSessionIdr009=1wkrivhgk1.app311b

My first paid story sale/contest win “Despair” now at Dark Recesses Press

2006-07-01T18:12:54Z

I am extremely happy to announce that I have won the 2nd Déjà vu Horror Contest at Dark Recesses Press.

I won $500.00 USD and a signed limited edition copy of Douglas Clegg’s “The Priest of Blood.”

If you read my story I would love criticism either good or bad. I have a tough skin and I’m always looking to improve.

You can get a free pdf. of the magazine with my story in it here: www.darkrecesses.com

And feel free to befriend me at: http://www.myspace.com/36210159

David North-Martino

Here's what I bought:

2005-12-11T04:45:44Z

In my last journal entry I told you I won a $50.00 gift certificate to Shocklines.

Here’s what I bought:

SEX AND VIOLENCE IN HOLLYWOOD Autographed Limited Edition by Ray Garton

TRESPASS: A Novel by Craig Wolf Autographed Trade Paperback + FREE Promotional Chapbook

And while I was at it I preordered DAMNED NATION edited by Robert N. Lee and David T. Wilbanks.

Thanks again to Mark and Dave!!!!

Dave

I WON !!!!

2005-12-10T15:46:38Z

I just received word from Mark Justice and David T. Wilbanks that I won the November Pod of Horror drawing. I’m going to get a $50.00 gift certificate to Shocklines.com the best horror book store in the world. I can’t wait to go shopping.

Now I need to invite some people to read my LJ so I'm not just talking to myself. : )

Introduction

2005-12-04T15:43:31Z

…pursue the literary and martial arts with balanced determination.—Shinryuken Masamitsu Toda, 32nd grandmaster Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu.

Welcome to the Pen and the Sword, the LJ of writing and martial arts. Herein I will discuss my views on these subjects and many others.

In the coming entries I will discuss the horror industry, attaining bestseller status, secrets no one else knows or will tell you, the meaning of life, the martial arts industry, manifestation, and other controversial topics some of which I am wholly unqualified to discuss. But I’ll do it anyway. This is the place to be if you want to cut through all the politics and political correctness of these topics.

I won’t even discuss most of this on message boards for fear of flame wars but I will discuss them with you.

And I’ll also keep you abreast on my journey to become a paid professional writer.

I hope you check back often.

Dave