I Will Survive!

We Survived 2012

For many of us we survived Y2K, lived through 911, and have survived the end of the Mayan Calendar and the end of the world once again.

I am not a dooms day predictor, a Prepper (one who is Prepping for the end of the world), or am I even prepared for your normal variety day to day disaster.  I am an avid reader of many different kinds of books, extremely open minded with an off the charts imagination which I actively work the hell out of every night while writing action adventure and Science Fiction books.

One of the books I read quite some time ago was all about how the predictions about the end of the world being in 2012 were wrong and how it would actually come about in December of 2039.  I also heard or read somewhere that the United States government has already set the date for when it would release any and all information concerning project Blue Book which is supposed to be about the information collected about recovered aircraft from outer space and UFO (Unidentified Flying Objects) collected since the end of World War II.  I found it surprisingly interesting that the date given for releasing or declassifying this information was January of 2040, just after the more accurately given date for the end of the Mayan Long count calendar.

The difference in the dates was given that the Mayan’s didn’t take into account leap years the way our current Georgian Calendar’s do and that the initial estimates were using inaccurate mathematics to figure the date thus arriving at December of the year 2012.

I hope to keep surviving assorted crap for another 27 to 28 years so I can see how this all plays out.  I should be seventy-three or seventy four years old at that time and hopefully will still remember the fun we had this year at that time.

As a Science Fiction writer it dawned on me that even though the Earth is relatively safe as far as we are aware of, discounting Global Warming, Religious Extremists, and countries who like to wage war for the sake of whatever their current ideologies are at the time.  The Universe is run by the laws of physics of which mankind is still endeavoring to totally grasp and understand the nature of how it all works together.  One thing we do know is that it isn't perfect, exact, or neatly organized but does tend to operate within a range of balance.

Which got me thinking that something could always happen somewhere else in the Universe and upset the status quo thus tipping the balance and the Universe would naturally correct itself to find a new sustainable range of balance.  If this resettling resulted in the Earth’s moving closer or farther away from our sun it would lay waste to our puny efforts at civilization which have been going on longer than we have a written record of.

It boggles my mind to think that everything we know of from the past, all of man kind’s history, Art, Music, books, movies, everything has taken place within the narrow confines of our atmosphere down to a couple of miles under the surface of the planet.  I realize that doesn't count the varied space exploration efforts of the human race within the last 60 years.  We exist in such a narrow envelope of space, spread out over the surface of a ball that is hurling through space and time.  Our whole existence rests on such a small balance of timing and temperature and how just the slightest shivers from our planet can wipe us out like a dog scratching at fleas.

So as we prepare to switch our calendars to 2013 and make plans for next year, let’s try to work towards a happier more productive future for all of mankind.  Give a toast to the fleas as we are still here riding mother Earth.  I can’t wait to see what the next twenty-four years bring.  At two books a year if I am still doing this I shall have written and added to the worlds slush pile of crap but fun fiction to read and help waste our time by 48 more books.

If you’re looking for a good Science Fiction that has a different spin on UFO’s and the history of the world since 1945, you might check out Eric Birk and his book “The Gemini Divergence.”

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/258439

It is available in paperback and on-line for e-book purchasing at one of the finest E-book stores and Publishers of Independent Author’s Titles ever SMASHWORDS!

http://www.smashwords.com/

PLUG, PLUG, PLUG!

Have a Safe and Happy New Year, and we will see you all next year.

As those who follow my blog have probably deduced, due to Editing Hiccups, I haven’t published either of the two novels I wrote this year, the sequels to both my first two books.  As soon as I can get them edited and come up with completed cover art for both they are my main focus for 2013.  I am as excited about releasing them as many are about reading them.

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Posted in: Prepper Y2K 911 Mayan Calendar disaster blue book UFO Smashwords Gemini Divergence

Safe Haven’s Versus Gun Control

Within three days of the Horrible tragedy which happened last week at the school in Newtown, a Grade School that is two blocks from our business has contacted the company I work for (my day job) about being a potential Safe Haven for the children the of the school in case, God forbid, that school is ever threatened by anything which would require the evacuation the school.

This entire process is in its beginning stages but everyone where I work is extremely excited about the idea.  As we work in a giant tire warehouse with tons of space and we are always here when schools might happen to be in session.  We are an almost perfect fit for this insightful solution to a possible threat.  We have the space, a secure location that is fully manned at all times with hard working Americans who almost all of us are parents of children.  It is amazing how several of us got teary eyed just discussing the possibility of being entrusted with such a high and noble responsibility as helping to provide a Safe Haven and safe guard others children in case of an emergency.

It was inspiring to see these tough hard working guys step up to say they would do anything in order to help in a situation such as this was inspiring.  I feel too many times the bad guys get all the press.  The good guys in this country outnumber the bad guys by an extremely large margin.  Our country sees this happen whenever a tragedy strikes.  It’s time the good guys step forward and say we are not going to put up with this any longer.

In essence, if we get selected to provide this Safe Haven for this school, in case of an emergency our company would literally shut down its normal business functions and transform into a Safe Haven locked down fortress to protect and care for the entire population of a grade school within moments.  Even as it is just in the planning stages the protocols are being figured out, supplies purchased, Rally points created, even the planning of getting many buckets of chalk so the children can spend their time here drawing and coloring all over our immense concrete floors.

I thought that part was wildly creative.  What could 600 children do while waiting for things to calm down and a situation to be resolved?  It’s a giant warehouse.  They could collectively work on a giant mural on a canvas concrete canvas longer than a football field.  We even have a couple of artists in house who could draw some large pictures to be colored in and get them started.

I sincerely hope schools across the country are doing similar things to ensure the safety of our children.  Schools and Churches should be two places that are sacred and off limits to violence.  Unfortunately the forces of evil see them as places through which they can inflict the worst of their evil.  I for one am tired of it.

Within moments of last week’s tragedy people were screaming everywhere about how we need more gun control.  The weapons this monster used were the property of his mothers and obviously they were not secured properly so that anybody could get their hands on them.  The bad guys will get weapons, just as they get drugs and other stuff they are not supposed to.

Disarming honest hard working good people is not the answer to protecting ourselves.  Better screening of people who might have issues might be a good place to start.  Good people use guns where they are meant to be used at firing ranges, to hunt with, and for our protection.  The largest deterrent foreign or domestic to being taken over and our country turned into a dictatorship is the fact that our population is armed.  If you look at the countries of the world where dictatorships exist, people can’t come and go as they please, and the only ones with guns are the government, they are not free.  The countries are prisons to its populations.  You do what the government tells you to do.  Too many countries say you must own property, and have family as security that you will return or you cannot leave the country.

The most lasting and enduring insurance to our freedom that our founding fathers gave us was the right to bear arms.  The right to own our own weapons for hunting, recreation and to protect ourselves, and as an ex-servicemen I’ll take it a step further, to protect those who cannot protect themselves.  Nobody said Freedom was easy!  It probably has to be hardest form of government to for a population to endure and maintain over time.

I sincerely hope we get chosen for this privilege of helping secure the safety of the children near our work.  I would consider it as great of an honor as I did serving to protect my country when I was in the Army many years ago.  I hope citizens across the country stand up and volunteer to do whatever we can do to protect our children, elderly and our general good hard working people from the Evil of others.  Again we outnumber the bad guys by a large margin and enough is enough.  It’s time for us to take a stand and say no more.  That doesn't mean we should attempt to disarm the good guys!  I rue the day some idiot actually tries to forcefully disarm this country.

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Posted in: Safe Haven secure location children schools churches tragedy Right Arms

The Pursuit Of Happiness

The simple but brilliant concept provided by this snip it of a phrase that Thomas Jefferson wrote into the United States of America’s Declaration of Independence is the focus of my blog post today.

In declaring your Independence, your intentions to do what you want, to express your rights and freedom, declaring that you don’t need anybody to take care of you, that you will from here on out take care of yourself.  Whether it’s an individual, a state, a political party, or a group of people starting their own country, it is the declaration that we know what’s best for us.  That we strive to be independent from here on out, without relying on others.

In the Preamble of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson added this little snip it which totally sums up his wisdom, knowledge and utter brilliance.

The Pursuit of Happiness.

It’s not a right of man!  It is a responsibility of the state or Federal Government!  It is to each individual something unique and unto itself, our pursuit of happiness.

Some aren't even pursuing their happiness.  They go through the motions of life avoiding problems, blaming others, companies, or the government for their lot in life.  They are not doing anything on their own to improve their situation or quality of life and yet expect happiness to be provided by some unknown benefactor and they are pissed off that it hasn't happened yet.  Many of these people point to successful people and say or think ‘They got theirs.’

Some are in pursuit but haven’t determined what in the entire scheme of the Universe would actually make them happy.  They are on a Journey but have no direction.  These poor souls hop from one thing to another pursuing their asses off, working hard, struggling every day yet can’t manage to get any closer to their goal, because they don’t know or haven’t decided yet what that destination or goal is.  Without determining a goal you wouldn't know if you were sitting right on top of it, or had surpassed it already.

Few know where they are headed, have goals written down, and have figured out what makes them truly happy.  This small group is in pursuit of happiness.

Now for the mind blowing awesome supernatural part of all of this.

Your Happiness is up to you!

The only person who can determine, decide or choose whether you are happy, mad, sad, upset, downright pissed off, is you!  It’s your attitude.  It’s your feelings.  It is how you decide to feel.

Your goals, your destination, the path you choose to walk, what you decide to do or not do is entirely up to you.  You are exactly where you put yourself through your work, education, and what you have or have not done.  When you face this truth honestly then you can realize to change your position you need to do things differently, try new things, quit doing things which are holding you back or may be harmful or counterproductive to where you want to move to.

You choose your mood, your destination, your path through life.  You are in control of whether you’re happy or not.  If you don’t like how you’re feeling, change it!  If you don’t like where you’re at change it!  It all starts and ends with YOU!

Unfortunately for many multitudes of people and even many who will read this post, the pursuit of happiness is the best that they can ever hope for is the pursuit of happiness, because they will not get the concept that it is up to them and it is a choice.

I conclude that even though the concept is simple in theory the execution of it can be daunting if not seemingly impossible at first.  It takes changing.  Sometimes it means changing our core beliefs about ourselves, and the world we live in.  This can seem impossible if you truly believe your conceptions and perceptions of the world are correct when in fact they may be flawed if not entirely wrong.  It is a pursuit of our goals and what we believe will make us happier than hopefully we currently are.  It may take going to school, reading books, trying for a new job, moving to another area, maybe even new friends.

It may mean breaking bad habits that currently you defend vehemently.  It may mean exercising your mind and body to get them into better shape to work harder.  It may mean pushing yourself past the limits you think you have and limits you can’t even imagine yet.  It may mean asking for help from others in the form of advice, direction, or moral support not handouts or support for keeping you stuck where you've been.

Too often when the direction is pointed out, the work needed to be done is identified, what needs to be left behind or habits that need to be changed, people will admit they aren't willing to do what is required to get what they say they want.  They give up on themselves which they can’t admit so they will make excuses in order to stay where they are at.  A lot of the time the people who really change their stars are the ones that grab the bull of life by the horns and hang on for dear life.  They will put themselves out there 100% everyday doing all that they need to for where they are and doing extra stuff in between to get where they want to go.

They motivate themselves.  They are happy and keep a positive attitude even when they are failing at something because they have their heart, mind and spirit focused on a higher goal.  Their destinations and goals are continually changing in front of them as they are getting closer to achieving their older goals.  They never reach their destinations because it’s always out in front of them.  Their success is their daily lives, the work and choices they make, and the path they choose to walk.  They are successful Now!

On that note – Have a Great Day and a better one tomorrow.

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Posted in: Thomas Jefferson Pursuit Happiness Change direction Journey goals destination

Editing Catch 22

Since I have become a self published author I have thoroughly learned and understand the value and the importance of a editor.  As I have explained numerous times through various posts on this blog how I have a severe handicap in regards to the proper usage of the English language and proper Grammar.  I need the best editor I can get because of the severity of my short comings with English and Grammar.

Here’s the Catch 22, I can’t afford what even inexpensive editors are charging on various sites on line.  My first book is barely over 50K words, barely a novel, and was edited three times before getting it to its current form.  My second novel was dropped halfway through its third edit by my last editor.  So now I am left needing to get my second novel reworked all over again just to get it right so I can download a corrected version and re-release it.

During the time this year I have been waiting for last years novels to get re-worked, I have written the sequels to each of them (rough drafts).  As I don’t currently have an editor neither one of the sequels have been worked on at all and in the interim I am half-way through writing my fifth novel.

So what is a new undiscovered author to do who can’t afford proper, much less good or great editing services?  If I can’t get my books edited I don’t feel right about releasing them online for sale.  If I can’t get my books released for sale I can’t increase my sales, build a following and eventually get discovered by the literary world as the great author that I know am capable of becoming.

To proof the books to the best of my ability and release them would be contributing to the disgrace and downfall of the English language with which many of the Independent Authors are being accused of and blamed for on a daily basis.

So the purpose of the blog post is a on-line begging for help, advice, or suggestions to my problem.

Option 1  I need low cost alternatives to good to great editing.

Option 2  An editor with insight and willing to take a chance on me and possibly help me get a couple of books edited for little or nothing until I can get this going and generating some cash flow in order to pay the editor what they are worth and let me make it up to them on the back side.

Option 3  I just proof them them to the best of my ability and contribute to all I feel is bad and unprofessional about the current trends of self-publishing.

So for anybody who reads this who might happen to be in the Writing, Publishing or Editing arenas and have any suggestions or comments, please comment on this post or E-mail me at StorytellerTDW@yahoo.com.

I have discovered I am a writer.  I have dedicated myself to writing every night and I am getting much better at it with every book I finish.  My stories are fresh, unique, and creative, taking my readers to new and exciting places or through experiences they couldn't imagine before reading my stories.  I will keep writing and find a way to succeed at writing one way or another.

The first step towards succeeding and over coming is admitting when you need help.  I know I need help.  I am reaching out to the readers of my blog for suggestions, ideas, or just comments of moral support.

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Posted in: Help begging Editing English Grammar suggestions comments Catch 22

“A Date which will Live in Infamy”

Our grandparents version of 911 which ushered the United States into World War II was the attack on Pearl Harbor.

On December 7, 1941, at 7:48AM (American time at Hawaii – The Attack happened very early in the morning of December 8^th in Japan.) an attack began on various different targets around the Naval Base at Pearl Harbor.  353 Japanese Planes in two waves, launched from six aircraft carriers, made up of fighters, bombers, and torpedo planes attacked their respective targets for the next ninety minutes.

By the time they were finished of the eight U.S. battleships, four were sunk, 3 were damaged and one was grounded.  Three cruisers and three destroyers were damaged, and five other ships were sunk.

One hundred eighty-eight aircraft were destroyed and another 159 were damaged with most of the carnage happened to parked aircraft on the ground.

Of service military personal, 2,402 killed, 1,247 wounded.  Civilians, 57 killed, 35 wounded.

The Japanese lost 5 midget submarines, 29 aircraft, 64 killed, and 1 submariner captured being the first Japanese Prisoner of War for the U.S.

On December 8^th, 1941 American time, the U.S. declared war on Japan.

Germany and Italy declared war on the United States on December 11, 1941 which was reciprocated by the United States of America the same day.

President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt declared December 7^th as “A date which will live in Infamy.”

Let us not forget our past or to learn from our history so hopefully we will not be subjected to repeating the same tragedies and making the same mistakes.

As those of this generation will never forget the attacks of 911, let us pause a moment and remember our grandparents and great grandparents version of the same.

Great Britain our countries alley had been fighting against the German oppression which had already spread across Europe since 1938.  They rightfully rejoiced in our sorrow as they realized America’s newly found change in opinion about staying out of the war meant that help was on the way.  Churchill realized with America entering World War II that together we could beat the Axis Forces in time.  Many other countries joined the Allied Forces to eventually bring World War II to an end.  Notice I didn’t say ‘Win the War’ because as a veteran I fully realize nobody wins in an armed conflict.

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Posted in: Japanese United States War World II battleships carriers Roosevelt 911 Great Britain Allies

Why We Love The Joker!

Why everybody loves the Joker!

Of all the criminals that Batman has had to contend with over the various venues he has been portrayed in, The Joker, is probably the most well-known and beloved.

What is it about this psychotic, pathological killer that makes him so popular?

In my personal opinion I feel the most recent adaptation by the late Heath Ledger so nailed the essence and character of this legendary criminal that it will be years if ever before anyone will be able to equal his stellar performance of this role.

Yet the Joker was and has been extremely popular from the days when Caesar Ramero played the role on television, to Jack Nicholson’s wonderful portrayal years later in film.

The Joker is flashy with his purple suits, his green hair, the white make-up, and that unforgettable smile.  He is often funny even if it is in a very dark sort of humor.

He uses masks, costumes, make-up, and devices to disguise himself.

When he appears in the Hospital dressed as a nurse in Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the character, it was a sort of scary comic relief.

Even the masterful choice of when he hits the button to blow up the hospital and it doesn't quite go BOOM as much as he was expecting, so the Joker is messing with the device and repeatedly pushing the button until it obviously works to more of what he was expecting, made the whole thing seem so much more realistic.

The ironic humor of a fire truck burning in the street!  Come on that’s hilarious!

The tragic side of the Joker as evidence of either falling into a vat of chemicals or the many stories that he relayed concerning how he got the scars in Heath Ledger’s version, all lend to apathy for such a screwed up person.

The transformation in the last, and obviously my favorite portrayal, from wanting to Kill Batman to the realization that they are two sides of a similar thing.  Ones Yin to the others Yang!  Where he admits that it isn't about the money, he is the dark version of Evil to Batman’s dark version of Good.

Lastly, he is extremely creative yet given it is expressed in a psychotic manner.  He gives Batman a run for his money.  Literally, as Batman, The Dark Knight, most everybody’s favorite Super Hero, who actually doesn't have any super powers.

Batman is just an ordinary good guy, who is very intelligent, and a bank roll and IT department enough to make some really Killer Gadgets and Toys.  From the creation of the first Batmobile, he fell into a class of two with the coolest best cars on earth that money could build and buy.

It was pretty much James Bond 007, and Batman who always had the best rides with the coolest gadgets.

Mark my words, The Joker will be back because he is just as timeless as Batman and James Bond have been!

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Posted in: Joker Dark Knight criminal Purple suit Humor Smile Heath Ledger Batmobile Bat Mobile

New Interview of Thomas D. Wilson

Hock G. Tjoa has graciously Interviewed me on his Blog.

Please drop by his Blog and check it out!
 http://hockgtjoa.blogspot.com/p/current-author-interviews.html

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Posted in: Thomas D. Wilson Interview Hock Tjoa

Planning Your Journey

You know where you are.  You have a destination in mind of where you want to go.  A direction in which to travel towards.

This is difficult because everybody has different dreams.  I am sure some of your dreams are so limited and controlled because you haven’t gotten the true depth and breadth of this concept yet to understand how big and totally crazy you could get with your dreams.

What ever your dream is that is your destination you want to head towards!  Notice I didn't say that you want to get to, or achieve, or arrive at.

It’s the direction of travel for your life.  The path you will create and walk through your daily choices, taking at least a small step in that direction every day with your choices and decisions.  A course of direction for each week, to be compounded by months and years.

Success is the journey towards a Goal, not the destination.  By heading towards your goal you are being successful no matter where you are and what you are doing in your every day life.  The only way you will get lost or fail is when you lose sight of your destination, your dream, and quit taking baby steps in that every day.

There is an ancient proverb that says a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Once you start on your path, each day with with each step, your life will begin to be transformed.  People you need will come into your life.  Obstacles will arise that at first seem to block your progress only to be realized later they are just obstacles to be negotiated, stepped around, climbed over to continue on your journey.  These are actually the spice of your life, your growing experiences, the chances and signals you need to learn, expand, change in order to continue on the path.  They are not meant to crush your dreams in spite of how overwhelming they seem appear when they materialize in your path.

Opportunities will emerge.  Some like fresh fruit lying under a tree just needing picked up.  Others dangling begging to be picked from the trees.  In time your perspective about things will begin to change.  As you see progress towards your destination.  As you begin to believe as you see yourself near your goal, even in the slightest of ways.  Those perceptions and preconceived notions of the world will change.  That will cause your reality you live and work in to change.

From your thinking, ideas and dreams, to using those to direct your daily decisions while making your way along your path towards your goal.  Your life will transform as your reality changes.  You will have focus in your direction, control in the transformation of your reality by changing your perceptions and moving towards your dreams.

Once you determine your destination, by figuring out your dreams of choice, then it is a simple matter of filling in the blanks, figuring out the baby steps, from where you are to where you want to go.  You won’t know all the steps at first, or see all the set backs and obstacles which will arrive along the journey.  You may even have trouble coming up with the initial baby steps that will lead you in the right direction.  You may take some wrong turns along the way or be side tracked by people, circumstances, life in general, or the wrong preconceived notions your still clinging to which are baring your way because your traveling towards a destination from untrue beginning location.

Until your perceptions of reality line up more accurately with the true reality of the world your moving towards your destination from a false starting point.  The more honest you are about your perceptions of reality, until you expand your horizons, walk your path, adjust your perceptions of your reality the more directly you will move towards your destination.

Remember the movement, no matter how small, towards your destination is the act of being successful.  Success is not reaching your destination, it’s the journey towards it.  Your success is your journey through life every day getting closer to your dreams.  Hopefully, by the time you reach your destination, you have new and higher goals your walking towards.  This is important, because too many times people reach the goal they were working towards and their life doesn't miraculously change and they are left feeling let down.  They are left felling disillusioned and wanting.  The closer you get to your goals the more you should continually adjust your goals higher and further out of your reach.  Your success is the journey, not the destination!

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Posted in: Journey Dreams Destination Perceptions Reality Successful Path