Redirection

With the inception of my Author site, the direction of this blog is going through a change. I've debated upon using it as a vehicle for my rants, my political views, all the things I don't want to overcome the new home for my work. However. eh. I think it will be far more fun and interesting to use this blog as a vehicle for creative expression separate from my publication work.
That means; freebies, gaming recaps and concepts, fun shorts, etc. I'd like to have more interactivity with my readers here too. In the meantime, keep an eye out for more ;)

Sites Now Live

I am very excited to announce that my Official Author and my Official Art sites are both now live on Wordpress.com. You can find my Author site at bryanstricklandauthor.wordpress.com for all the latest news and updates regarding my literary works. My Art site can be found at bryanstricklandartist.wordpress.com for recent updated portraits, concept pieces, and sculptures.

Having an official home for both aspects for the first time is an interesting experience. Up till now, I've used my Facebook page to share my art and my writing updates, including posts from this blog. Where that has worked to a point, it's like renting an apartment. It is never really yours; you can't change the space, you can't paint the walls or...take one out. Facebook as a platform is about connecting friends and, these days, making you prey for marketers. As such, it's time to move out.

Come check out my pages, subscribe for updates, and share my new home. Ciao!

Five Years a Choice, A Lifetime of Dedication

Five years ago this month, I made a choice to start living healthier, to frequent the local gym, and to pull myself back from the morbid brink I had found myself teetering upon. I have always been a big guy. Ever since I was a kid, I've been heavy set, chubby, obese. All titles that have a strange power to arrest your self-worth and slay any sense of self-comfort. Though, all labels do in truth. The world is never short on opinions and perception, sad to say, is everything.

Living heavyset in a world that idealizes the lithe and fit provides an interesting paradox, feeling invisible when you take up nearly twice the room as those drawing all the attention. You learn to live with it; accept the dismissive looks and may even start to apologize for your expanded appearance, laugh along with the jokes about people needing two seats in airplanes, etc. All the while, knowing that your girth is measured more than any other aspect of your being. You could be the greatest artist, funniest comedian, even a talented martial artist. But if you were packing a few extra pounds, that's all anyone really ever saw.