zoo

We went to the Dallas Zoo last night for the Safari Nights concert and to see the animals we had adopted. It was fun. The concert was good, and the animals were terrific. We saw an okapi, tiger, tuatara, cheetahs, lionesses, otters, and other great animals.
If anyone ever gets the chance to do the Safari nights concert or the Dallas Zoo in general, I recommend it!

update

I'm trying to think of a new for my new manuscript. After that, I will need to contact my cover artist and post it on Smashwords.
I have had my eyes on concerts and other events. Work is going well.
Let me know if you have any suggestions of what to do. Thanks.

Update

I have just gone through a tough ordeal. I had a lapse while swimming at the UTD pool and was diagnosed with a germ-based tumor in my chest. We opted for in-patient treatment and were referred to MD Anderson in Houston. I had to undergo four 5-day chemo treatments with two week breaks in between. I will admit-it was rough. Frustration and cabin fever was what I had to deal with the most. They got rid of most of it, and I have to go back later to see if it is all gone.
Other than that, things are ok. I am still writing (almost done with a story), working, watching movies, and doing the UTD Pep Band. We saw Shania Twain in concert and a  lacrosse game (my first!) this year. I also cut my thumb pretty badly in an accident at work.
There is a lady I have been interacting with on campus that I might want to get to know better. Let me know if you have any suggestions.

more writing

I posted my latest manuscript on Smashwords. It's called "A Trio that will Take You Back" and contains some good stories. One involves mysterious texts and was inspired by something that happened to me, the second continues the Squirrelman saga and brings back someone's previously unseen ex, and the third I love:it involves a lady who gets a chance to live out her childhood fantasies, and it helps out her so-called real life. Wouldn't you love for that to happen to you?
I am also working on a new story.
Let me know if you ever check out my stories on Smashwords.

writing

You can learn a lot about me from my writing. I base a lot of my stories on myself, my personal interests, and my experiences. My characters are based a lot on myself-pretty much shy loners. You write about what you know about. Since I grew up in an academic environment (my father is a professor and a dean at a university, and my mother worked at the same place), I set a lot of my stories at similar places. I make a lot of my characters writers too. If you are interested, read my stories at smashwords.

more updates

Well, the school year at UTD has gotten off to a good start. I got a situation I hoped to clear up...cleared up! I hope to get some other "personal" situations fixed too. I also got a great haircut, and work is going ok. I have also been working on my recent stories. If you ever get a chance, go to Smashwords and check out my completed stories. I also post updates on Twitter (www.twitter.com/themattk) and a special Facebook page (www.facebook.com/mattkratzauthor) about my writing. I am still volunteering for Make A Wish, playing in the UTD Pep Band, and watching movies.
Our house in Port Aransas got damaged by Hurricane Harvey. My parents are looking into what can be done about it.
I will keep you apprised on other stuff!

more year updates

I am still working, watching movies, and writing. I won tickets to an upcoming concert and need to clear something with a local university-I hope to take a class there. More tragic news from the workplace-an employee retired a few months ago and killed himself a few weeks later. He will be missed.
I am trying to take on a more active role at work. I have also posted more photos and posts to my Facebook page. I am also still commenting on IMDb.