The Music of Your Life

Growing up my Dad always said he enjoyed mowing the grass.  I could never understand this because to me it was stupid senseless work.  The only reason I was pushing a lawn mower was because the lawn mower doesn't know where to mow!  I even designed a robotic lawn mower to mow my grass for me (Robotic – entirely independent, not radio controlled), unfortunately I am a better designer than I am a builder.  If anybody read my post about the light chasing robot you will quickly understand why I am still mowing my own grass.As I have gotten older I realized I long for mowing the grass.  Not because I enjoying mowing the grass, but because I actually like getting out and working outside a bit, it is a break from my job and family, and it makes my tiny square of the...

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Posted in: mowing music MP3 Hawaii Robots

Stuff that Sucks – The Rebuttal

I had several different ideas of stuff I wanted to write a Blog post on instead of posting an apology to Mr. Nicholas Sparks for possibly hurting his feelings in any of my past posts about how I hate what he writes.  Then I got a blog update that I felt I needed to respond to publically!I have stated before in previous posts that I have a problem with swearing from time to time.  If reading swear words really offends you do not click on the link below and read the Cranky Old Man Blog Post and DO NOT READ my rebuttal of said post which follows.  Just tune in tomorrow where I hopefully will behave in a much more civilized manner after having washed my mouth out with soap.  Don't worry your probably not missing much, but at least I am not apologizing to Mr. Sparks today!http://joeh-crankyoldman.blogspot.com/My...

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Posted in: Real Men Sports Skating Quiche

SPB Roundup

SPB ROUNDUP~ A Gallery of Self-Published Books http://www.spbroundup.com/fiction-2/science-fiction/Both my books are listed on the first page of Science Ficti...

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Posted in: Gallery Self-published Books Science Fiction

Censorship Versus Freedom of Speech

Recently, PayPal has come down on Smashwords dot com about some aspects of Erotica.  They claim the pressure is coming from the banking Industry that they deal with.  Smashwords in turn has had to take steps against certain aspects of the erotica published through its site to survive to fight another day in the name of free speech or the expression of the right through the freedom to publish.  I have noticed the extreme amount of material that is available on the site in the form of Erotica, but I am comfortable with it for several reasons.1.  It allows it to be published above board, legally, not underground illegally and part of some criminal element.  If as a society we legalized and taxed prostitution, and drugs it would take away the criminal element of it. ...

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Posted in: Censorship Freedom Speech Criminal Beaver

Nice Surprise

Today I was surprised when my best friend, Phillip Woody, showed up with a copy of my book his mother had bought for me to sign for her! Signing your book, leaving a personalized message for the person, just really makes you feel like an author!! It was a great way to start the day off! This is me sitting at my desk at Community Wholesale Tire. Thank You Phillip for so many wonderful moments and for coming up with the perfect title for the book I was signing.  "No Rules Of Engagement" I had him read the rough draft of the book and forgot the first line read "Not Titled Yet", Phillip read the book and came in and said "How about No Rules Of Engagement as a title for your book?"  It was just one of those moments.  The sequel...

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Posted in: Signing Book Titles Beta

Being Prepared – Blessings from being OCD

Being prepared cannot stop life's challenges and tragedies from knocking on your door, but it can lessen the impact they have on your life when they do.  The biggest part of being prepared falls back to planning.  Planning relies on looking ahead, paying attention, and learning from your past experiences.I am a planner by nature.  The joke around my house is that I can't go to the restroom without a plan.  By my very nature and by virtue of my OCD tendencies I attend my life by a strict schedule.  I am flexible and can change my plans, be spontaneous, and change my plans on a moment's notice, which allows me to have OCD tendencies but not be crippled because of it.  Technically my wife says I have a mild form of aspergers with OCD tendencies, not that it...

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Posted in: planning prepared attention schedule problems

Goal Oriented

What is it that makes some people goal oriented and others, not so much?What is it that makes people want to work or do a job and not want to rely on others?What is it that makes some people willing to put themselves in harm's way for ideals?Is it the environment?  Is it genetics?  Is it something parents teach their children?  Is it the belief in being self reliant and believing in ideals that makes them willing to work or be a soldier?I come from a military family that has had someone in the military in the United States or Great Britain for longer than anyone in the family can remember.  Is it because we were raised that way?  Is it hard wired into our DNA to believe in ideals and stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves?  Is it something in our...

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Posted in: Work Plans Goals Freedom Soldier

Hodgepodge

Today's post is a hodgepodge of random stuff, thoughts, and what I am reading!In the truest form of a muddle and mess, we will start with what I am reading.Disrupt: Think the Unthinkable to Spark Transformation in Your Business by Luke Williams.This book is fascinating as it breaks down disruptive market ideas in to a process from observation, realization, and development.  Again it is another book about looking at things from different perspectives but it actually gives excellent quality examples of how to zoom in and observe things most people wouldn't even think about in regards to looking at something from a different perspective and in the end coming up with a completely new product that disrupts the age old model of that market.  i.e. like mopping a floor.Tongues of Serpents...

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Posted in: Reading Friends Marriage Breakfast Wonder Woman

Post It Note Screen Saver APP

I have in my Bio that I should have been an Engineer.  I state this for numerous reasons:1.  It probably most accurately describes me as the type of person I am.  I get ideas that just amaze, amuse and befuddle me at the most random times and places.  I generally always carry something to write on and a pen with me whereever I go.  Still have to work out a plan for taking notes in the shower – I've had more ideas born and lost with the hot water and suds because I couldn't remember them by the time I got out, dressed and ready to go.  Maybe a grease pencil would write on the tiles, but then I would be stuck cleaning the shower all the time.2.  I'm great at spatial relations whether it is re-organizing the furniture in a room in my mind before I start physically...

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Posted in: Engineer Post It APP Program

Study of English II

I have expressed my failure to grasp rudimentary elements of the English language in previous posts.  I have also expressed how I have made it a new mission in my life to not only learn the terms and associations of words in regards to English so that I may not only become a better writer but to the degree I can argue aspects of English with professors and those who cannot read a piece of work with mistakes without developing a brain hemorrhage. One of the books I am studying states that: You must learn to express yourself in a plain, easy manner, in well chosen, significant and decent terms, and to give harmonious and pleasing turn to your periods; study to explain your thoughts . . .Its formal cause therefore is such choice and disposition of words as will achieve this end most economically. I...

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Posted in: English economy words ideas intelligent

SEO Search Engine Optimization

The company I work for, Community Wholesale Tire, my day job, is having the people who created and put together the companies new and improved website come in and teach a class to our many fine Tire Dealers on Website Design and SEO (Search Engine Optimization.)As I have been with the company for a long time I am going to get to attend the event for free as a representative of our company.  I have attended many classes in the past that have dealt with many aspects of tires, repair materials, and advertising but this will be the first class that will also directly be applicable to e-books and Independent Authors.I have this blog and in most cases where you are signing up for some sort of representation, author interviews and author pages I always list my blog as my website.  If this...

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Posted in: website design SEO Search Engine Optimization

History Tidbit

Today in history, February 17, 1801, One of America's most favorite Presidents took office.  Thomas Jefferson was elected the third President of United States.  His election was the first transfer of power from one political party to another in our nation's history.During his first term Jefferson Strengthened the American Navy, reduced the national debt by one third, acquired the Louisiana Territory, and sponsored the Lewis and Clark expedition.  His first term ended in relative stability and prosperity, allowing him to overwhelmingly be re-elected to a second term.I could go on and on about Thomas Jefferson, especially in the areas of how he helped establish our great country, and served as President all the while believing that men should be allowed to govern themselves and...

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Posted in: Thomas Jefferson Elected President

Steampunk Where I Live

It dawned on me as to why Steampunk resonates with me as I have been looking at elements of art, gadgets, and gizmo's which are considered Steampunk.  What about it that attracts me to Steampunk is where I live.  I don't mean the geographical location, or my home in Independence, Missouri.  I mean where I spend most of my waking hours of every week, at work.  The building that I have worked in for many years is the old Montgomery Ward's Distribution Center for all points out west of Kansas City, Missouri.  Ward's shut down its operations there in 1979 and for many years the building sat vacant.  Located in Northeast Kansas City, a part of town that is considered in the 'Hood' these days.  The building was...

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Posted in: AC DC Steampunk current wars Tesla

ConvertingYour Library to Digital

I love books! I love all kinds of books.  Paperbacks, hard covers, the thin card stock cover children’s books.  I love the old serial books of Doc Savage, The Shadow, and at one point I owned every one of Don Pendleton’s The Executioner Series from one through seventy something.  I love old musty, dusty books that have long been forgotten by other book lovers from ages ago.  I enjoy reading books of all types and the most precious moments with my two young boys are when they bring me a book as say, “Read this?”  Especially in a day in age in which most kids would rather play with toys, watch mindless television, or play video games, my boys will both sit on my lap while I very animatedly read various books, passing on the magic and wonderment that is reading and enjoying...

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Posted in: e-books old books reading

Experience Built From Mistakes

When I started writing almost everyday in 2010 and realized I wanted to actually attempt to write a book from start to finish I made several mistakes. I am a big fan of James Rollins because he is one of the first authors I discovered early in their careers and had read each of their books.  I remember his first books vividly because they were outside of the box, they took me somewhere new, taught me something, and were good books.  Through following his new releases I saw his writing change and mature as he grew as an author.  I wanted to write books like his but with my stories and ideas. I remember thinking that my first book would always be my worst book!  I looked over the files, the bits and pieces of stories I had started over the last ten years while kicking the...

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Posted in: Writing Mistakes persistence

Can Traditional Publishing be Saved?

One of the blogs I follow is by Rachelle Gardner, and her latest blog I wanted to comment upon.To make it easier I copied some pieces from her post of February 12th.Do you know what business you are in?What the Publishing Industry Can Learn From Kodak1. We need to correctly identify the business we’re in.Publishers, agents and authors need to start from this very important truth: We are not in the “book” business. We are in the business of storytelling. This encompasses entertainment, information, ideas, creativity, inspiration, and intellectual exploration. It also comprises a social element—the relationship between reader and writer. We are in the business of fostering this relationship.2. We can’t be afraid of cannibalizing our own businesses in the short run to make progress in the long...

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Posted in: Publishing Writers Readers Market Revenue