ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Weston Ochse is a former intelligence officer and special operations soldier who has engaged enemy combatants, terrorists, narco smugglers, and human traffickers. His personal war stories include performing humanitarian operations over Bangladesh, being deployed to Afghanistan, and a near miss being cannibalized in Papua New Guinea. His fiction and non-fiction has been praised by USA Today, The Atlantic, The New York Post, The Financial Times of London, and Publishers Weekly. The American Library Association labeled him one of the Major Horror Authors of the 21st Century. His work has also won the Bram Stoker Award, been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, and won multiple New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards. A writer of more than 26 books in multiple genres, his military supernatural series SEAL Team 666 has been optioned to be a movie starring Dwayne Johnson. His military sci fi series, which starts with Grunt Life, has been praised for its PTSD-positive depiction of soldiers at peace and at war. Weston likes to be called a chaotic good paladin and challenges anyone to disagree. After all, no one can really stand a goody two-shoes lawful good character. They can be so annoying. It's so much more fun to be chaotic, even when you're striving to save the world. You can argue with him about this and other things online at Living Dangerously or on Facebook at Badasswriter. All content of this blog is copywrited by Weston Ochse.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Mike Calvillo - Get Well My Friend

So, I just heard that my dear friend Michael Louis Calvillo has Stage 4 CUP. This stands for Carcinoma of Unknown Primary. Oh. My. God.

There are too many emotions running through me right now. My hands are shaking so typing this is hard. But I want to send out amazing thoughts to Mike.  So here goes.

Mike, when you came to me and asked me about writing five years ago, I'm glad I spoke to you. I don't know what I said, but you always tell me what an inspiration it was. Personally, I think you were just being polite, because you are an inspiration in your own right. When you published your first book, I'm glad you sent it to me. I was amazed by it. When you had problems or questions about the industry, it was my pleasure to give advice. Whenever we saw each other there was a smile on your face. I have a dozen memories of you walking towards me, each time the smile owns you. You are one of the most upbeat and energetic people I've known. It's always been a great pleasure to see you and talk to you. You're a teacher and when I watch you in a crowd, I wished I had a teacher like you. I've had the pleasure of dining with you and your wife, of reading your work, of talking to you as both a mentor and a friend, and of watching you succeed. Mike, I love you and am sending all of my energy to you. Get better Mike. You are a good man, a great friend, and a tremendous writer. We need you. Hell, I need you.

Here's a link to a video of him reading right after me in Brighton at WHC 2010. Isn't he awesome?

You don't have to reply, but please, send out thoughts into the universe. Good ones. Healing ones.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rHCF6t38ek
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1 comment :

  1. MartelJanuary 8, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    Michael is awesome. And if there's anyone who can beat this, it's him. Sending prayers and love to Michael and all his friends out there :)

    Martel

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