How Mike Szymanski Saved My Life

by Jim Smelley | Dec 8, 2016

way-of-kings_v2

This year, I’m thankful for my co-worker, Mike Szymanski. I sat next to Mike at dinner in Dallas a few weeks ago. I’ve known him for awhile now, but I didn’t know we shared a love of fantasy novels (my “love” of these novels might be categorized as something nearer a “deep obsession bordering on insanity”). It was a lucky coincidence to spend that dinner talking about authors, magic systems, and storytelling.

This is what I love about meals with colleagues. I love it when I realize we have something interesting in common. It might be yoga, or linguistics, or an obsession with Star Wars or fantasy novels, but whatever it is, suddenly a pleasant dinner turns into a fascinating conversation. And in my case, it turns into buying a 1,200-page novel called “The Way of Kings”, recommended by Mike.

Which gets me back to the title of this post. I’ve decided not to watch or read any news until I’ve completed “The Way of Kings.” So, while everyone else is drowning in post-election news goo, I’ll be reading about sword fights, magical armor, and medieval warfare. I think this distraction just might have saved my life. Thanks Mike!

P.S. – I’ll be reading slowly.

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How Mike Szymanski Saved My Life

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