Anthony (Los Angeles)

Freelance writer living in Los Angeles, CA

I'm a 40-something freelance writer specializing in, well, whatever will pay. In the past, I have written for American, Canadian, and British game companies, designing and developing settings for their roleplaying and miniature games. I have also written guide books for Japanese anime series, such as Dual and The Slayers. Currently, I'm working on a centenary history of a Jewish children's services home here in Los Angeles, a history of a major Southern California credit union, and spec scripts for television dramas. The last is my attempt at a mid-life crisis, trying to break into TV writing when I'm at an age Hollywood considers already over-the-hill. Forlorn hope? Maybe. But a guy can still dream, can't he?

I'm also one of those real rarities, a California resident who was actually born here. I've lived in both the southern and northern parts of the state and, though I've been resident in Los Angeles for over 20 years, my heart is still in Northern California. There are few places more wonderful than the north coast in the fog and rain, the Sierras on a crisp Spring morning, or San Francisco anytime.

Politically, I define myself as a Right-liberal, as opposed to "conservative." Too many times, the words "conservative" and "liberal" are nothing more than meaningless epithets to be hurled as insults. The US is a liberal nation, the question is what end of the spectrum does one fall on? I believe in judicial restraint, the rule of law, federalism, free markets, a strong military, and an assertive foreign policy unafraid to pursue American interests (democracy, free trade, individual liberty), which I think are good for the world as a whole.

So, why'd I start blogging? I blame Osama bin Laden. Seriously. While I've always had a deep interest in History and foreign affairs, when this refugee from a medieval lunatic asylum decided that thousands of us had to die to achieve his sick vision of Paradise, I realized just how ignorant I was of Islam and the history of the Middle East. It also challenged me to define just who I am: Osama and his jihadist buddies have said they want to destroy us (me) for what we are -- and I am. Nothing quite focuses the mind as someone saying he wants to get to Heaven over your corpse, so I did what I've always done: read. I've read the Qur'an and the oldest biography of Muhammed. I've read histories of the US and the Middle East. I've read extended essays on America's long-term foreign policy and what makes us different from our cousins in Europe. I've delved into Classical History, seeking the roots of our civilization in Greece and Rome. I've always been an avid reader, but the crisis brought on by 9-11 and the renewed jihad took what had been just interest and shaped it with a series of questions: Who are we? Are we worth defending? Who are they? Are they worth fighting? What is it about us that they hate, and what is it about them that makes them hate us? And, to quote Rodney King, can't we all just get along?

So, having read, I needed to talk. But most people don't want to delve deeply into what's frightens them, so they avoid the topic. Blogging lets me talk about these topics all I want, plus gab about other things of interest. People can read and comment all they like, but at least I can get some of this off my chest, out in the front of my mind where I can try to sort it out.

Good heavens -- my blog is my shrink!

I hope you enjoy watching me undergo analysis. :)

COMMENTS POLICY: Just a brief word about comments. I usually won't reply to comments you leave: the comments section is for you. And comments are unedited. I won't delete anything other than threats or truly egregious foul-mouthed rants and bigoted BS, but try to keep it clean. At the same time, a comment's appearance here in no way implies my endorsement. You're responsible for what you write, not me.