I thought I exhausted the well of Gen Z speak with the first part of this blog (I even added to it in the weeks and months that followed), but my crazy kids keep edumacating me, so here we go with part 2! Enjoy! (or don’t; it’s your time)

tough (said sarcastically): slang for “cool.”

Example:

Girl 1: “Did you see her new dress?”

Girl 2: “Yeah, she’s tough.”

low key: slang for “kind of.”

Example: “I’m low key hungry right now.”

cooked: doomed/ruined/done for. Note: This has nothing to do with food.

Example: “This final boss battle is going to be impossible. We’re cooked!”

PMO: acronym for “piss me off.”

Example:

Mom: “Answer me when I ask you a question!”

Daughter: “Don’t PMO.”

giving (blank): Okay, this one is a little harder to explain, which is why I left it for last. It’s used when someone wants to make a comparison to something else, whatever it is (hence why I included the word “blank” in the definition). In other words, it’s used when something is giving off similar vibes to something else. Why Gen Z drops the word “vibes” is beyond me.

Example: “This wannabe animated musical is giving Disney.”

That’s it! (At least until Part 3, which you know is coming.)

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In other MTP news, this week marked the 1-year anniversary of the release of my short story collection The Electric God and Other Shorts (specifically October 14). In that time, the book has garnered three awards and dozens of 4- and 5-star reviews. Speaking of which, if you’ve read the book, I would greatly appreciate a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads—as long as you liked it. Kidding! Kinda! Seriously, reviews go a long way in helping out an indie author like me, probably more than you realize. (It’s a brutal business!) That goes for all my books. Think of it as your karma for the day. Thank you very much.

***

In other, other MTP news, this is my first blog in over a month, the longest time I’ve gone without blogging since I started this site in early 2022. Where have I been? Good question! I’ve actually been busier than ever before in terms of my writing career, such as it is, but it’s all behind-the-scenes stuff that would probably bore most readers, so I didn’t feel documentation in blog form was necessary. There’s also one other thing that is very hush-hush at the moment, so I’m not going to spill that…yet! I can, however, reveal I have three upcoming book signings, which you would’ve known already if you checked the bottom of my homepage. The first one is going to take place this Sunday at Country Pointe in Plainview, NY, as part of my membership in Long Island Authors, but seeing as how that’s a private event, I’m not sure why I’m advertising it. I can advertise the fact that I’ll be returning to Fire Island Vines in Bay Shore, NY, on Tuesday, November 11th, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

But I’m most excited about my first solo book signing at The Neverending Story bookstore in Babylon, NY, on Small Business Saturday, November 29 from 2 to 4 p.m. The store is celebrating that week’s return of Stranger Things on Netflix with an ‘80s Day, featuring ‘80s music, decorations, and lil’ ol’ me, your humble author of ‘80s-set YA. And what better store to feature an ‘80s-themed event than one named “The Neverending Story”? There was even one episode of Stranger Things that concluded with a few characters jamming to that movie’s rockin’ theme song. As always, I’ll be giving out a free ‘80s toy for every purchase. I hope all y’all from the area (that’s Long Island) reading this can make it. You’d make my ‘80s dreams come true.

Until next time, guys. Hopefully, it won’t take me another month to blog.

MTP

P.S.: Welcome to the new people who signed up for my blog at my last book signing! Enjoy your stay, and as promised, I will never spam you.

P.P.S.: Don’t forget the Danger Peak audiobook is now available!

P.P.P.S.: The new edition of The Electric God and Other Shorts is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble: