I’m Married!!!!!

My Sacred Vows I made to my Wife Casey Leann Hefner Gatlin on September 24, 2011.

For years I’ve hunted for the one I will spend the rest of my life with, and for years I thought I had failed.

Until one day as I wandered, I was the one who was found. My journey alone came to an end, as I now had a companion.

I realized that I had not failed at all before, I just hadn’t reached my turn off the path yet.

Today, I step off the path, hand in hand with the woman I love more than anything, taking our first steps on our eternal journey together.

Before we start I, Vance Gatlin II, have to say this…

With all my strength, heart, honor and love, vow that throughout our lives, no misstep or obstacle will ever stop my love for you or cause me to leave your side, instead I’ll catch you or pick you up, as I know you will do the same for me.

I vow that no illness will strike that I’ll not be right beside you fighting.

I vow that no other will come between us, for their isn’t any others because I can only see you.

And so, my Cherished Love, my Pinkly, Casey Leann Hefner, I give you this ring, as a symbol of my pure love and sacred promise, and now call you my Wife, forever together.

I wrote them myself, I feel that they have more meaning than quoting the pastor/officiant. I love you Casey Gatlin! As for the rest of you…see you after the honeymoon!

The Day I Proposed

I wrote the following on September 15 2009. I thought it fitting to post about the day I proposed the day before I get married. The Genesis if you will. Tomorrow right after I get married I have a post that will launch with the vows I wrote, showing the world, the love I have for Casey. Now onto the beginning…

It started on the morning of September 6 before we left for a family reunion on her mom’s side. I asked her dad for his blessing. Later at a cookout at her grandparents after eating, riding the horse and games her dad and I went to his house to get the ring out of my bag. Casey saw us leave but didn’t know the surprise I had planned. When we got back everyone was resting in the backyard. Casey was sitting. She looked around and EVERYONE was watching, with cameras ready. She looked at me as I reached in my pocket & pulled out the ring in its box. She jumped up before I could hit a knee. I open it up, she’s crying, I’m grinning. Then she whacks me on the chest. I sign & say, “Will you marry me?” She said yes. I put the ring on her trembling hand. Then the rush of family, congratulating, hand shakes, hugs, admiring the ring. Then we go see her brother, mom, her step-dad & Nana. More happiness. I’m still a little in shock. And extremely happy. 9 days later I’m still grinning.

Yes I’m sappy I know.

A Note To My Newest Readers

I noticed  since Howls From The Wolfpack was released on Amazon my site traffic has increased. Thanks for stopping by and/or looking at the book. Please leave a review on Amazon, good or bad, as long as its your honest opinion. I write this because my new readers may not know why my posts have changed and why they’re not as many a week.

With getting the book published took up a lot of time and I needed my full attention on that. Along with the fact that 9 days from now I will be getting married to my girlfriend of four years. Anyone who’s put a wedding together knows that’s a whirlwind of activity. I’ll be focused on this site again after September and starting the final part of the Breakdown Series on the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, and the Constitution. Along with my scrutinizing stare at the world of politics and society.

When enough copies of Howls is sold I’ll start the process of releasing it on Kindle this winter. Other projects is two other books in the works, one structured like Howls but a solo book, and another on an expansion of the Breakdown series.

The big event approaches where I’ll read the greatest thing I ever wrote, my wedding vows. Speaking of which, I need to stop typing and practicing signing them. Check my archives, or find me on Twitter here, and see you soon.

May I Buy Your Autograph?

Last weekend at Dragon*Con I learned what I’ve always heard was true in some cases. Celebrities DO charge for their autograph.

“What the…! You pretentious bastards.”

So I ran this through my mind wondering why they do this.

Supply and Demand: People want ink on a picture, book, etc in that person’s unique style. The celeb sees a way to capitalize. They know a few people make a living auctioning off their autographs on E-Bay. As a supporter of Free Market Capitalism I can go along with this. Just don’t be surprised when I don’t buy your autograph.

Now I don’t know if conventions pay celebrities to show up and sit at a table or what. And if they don’t, I can see a bit of the reasoning for charging for a autograph.

This begs the other question, do they charge in man on the street situations. A fan spots them, runs over to talk and asks to sign his hat?

“Cough up 30$ before I take the cap of my Sharpie?”

If so, this is how I see it in the man on the street context, you’re not a fan, the one who is dedicated enough to watch, buy, and collect my stuff. Your just a “little person” who wants a pat on the head from one of the elite “famous”. You should feel privileged that I acknowledged your existence.

Remember, you’re only relevant as long as people are willing to watch you entertain them.

Now I know celebrities want their privacy, but if they were that worried about it, they wouldn’t have worked so hard to get their name out. Work out a system, you go out and recognized, tell the fans that as soon as your done, you’ll take time to talk to them. Also the fans on their end have to recognize that the celebrity is a human also, not a dancing monkey.

Its about mutual respect, both sides are human, equals. One just has more people that recognize them than the other. For one performing is a career, not a life, and is paid only as long as the fans are willing to watch. For the fans, celebrities have lives of their own, respect that. And if they’re charging for their signature, and you’re willing to pay. Go for it, its your money.

I know I’ll never charge anyone who wants me to sign their copy of Howls From The Wolfpack. I’m happy as a clam that they were willing to part ways with 10$ to buy the book. For the celebrities who have their head up their ass, it may pay to remember that.

9-11-01 to 9-11-11

Never Forget

The Fear

The Shock

The Helplessness

The Heroes

Etch It Into Your Soul

Remember, Learn and

Move Forward