Writing and blogging

Time has a way of altering the normal doesn't it? The change is often so subtle those of us who are being changed hardly notice it. This blog and my writing has changed many times for many reasons. In reading an article regarding writing in general the author made a statement that sort of hit home. I've read it before somewhere but, of course felt it didn't pertain to me. "Every writer reaches a time when they simply write thoughts that are only of interest to themselves. Very much like thinking out loud in a crowded room." I dearly hope I haven't done that very often but I can see that the thinking out loud part has occasionally presented itself on this blog site. I wonder what it is that causes us to think that anyone else is interested in if my foot hurts or the coffee was cold or my window has rain drops on it.

When I write, I am alone with my thoughts except for you. That's the thing that brings out the trivial I think. Usually I write in the early morning hours, long before I meet any real live people except those hard working souls that serve me food and coffee at the drive thru window. Morning is the most wonderful time of my day, so I write. Without questions or human contact my interactive hungry mind makes up stuff. Similar to a puppy running aimlessly through a field without a fence. Just loving the freedom, the sheer pleasure of being alive in the moment. A puppy desires companionship to share his exuberance but isn't about to give up the fun just because there is no one else around. Why waste the opportunity. Me too!

So, there we have it! On any given morning I am beginning my puppy stage all over again anew. Writing because it brings me a sense of purpose and well being and enjoying the moment. Truthfully I can't run through an open field like I used to. However, I am not about to give up the fun. I hope you join me and leave with the sense of newness and opportunity each morning brings. Yip, Yip, Arf!

Posting, publishing, blogging, failing

My typing is slow, my thoughts well considered, my actions deliberate and cautious, in spite of all that my postings are sometimes great, sometimes rambling. When I consider that anything I publish here will be someplace forever I do my level best not to make a fool of myself. Sometimes I succeed. I enjoy blogging. It is a much needed diversion in a normally busy and chaotic life style. In a perfect world I would have enough time to complete my next installment of Joe's Story, tweek the children's books I've already written and have them published, complete my bicycle trip around Lake Michigan and have time left over to sip an ice tea on the back veranda. That is if I actually had a back veranda. Blogging helps me through the reality of actual time limitations and dreams not being fulfilled. It's pretty close to being 'fun."

Yesterday, once again I woke up early, my mind filled to overflowing with hope and looking forward to sharing an extremely humorous story with you about the wonders and safety warnings of sugar and salt. There are times when everything falls together and posting become memorable and well worth any one's read. Yesterday was one of those times. Laborious and time consuming but filled with my own laughter I pressed on in my mission of sharing the words that flowed from my mind and onto the screen. I was in a zone I tell you. It was incredible, profound and, dare I say hilarious. Then came time to click on the "Publish" icon.

I have to figure out just what I'm doing wrong here because for the umpteenth time my hours of typing and composition dissolved into never never land and are gone forever. Such was my experience yesterday. It took me a few minutes to absorb the consequences of my lack of computer skills. On to another day. I find the whole thing rather humorous now that it's over. Rather, but not completely. Somewhere there is a computer gremlin laughing his butt off reading the posting he stole from me. Now I get to click on the publish icon again and see what happens. If you read this it worked. If you don't, it didn't.

Fixing this blankety blank blog

I am going to attempt to update this blog site. To most of you that operation wouldn't be any big deal. For me, it's a major undertaking fraught with danger. What if I punch the wrong button? What if I send everything into the cloud and it never comes back? What if I do a total disconnect? There is no one here to stop me from incorrect actions. The terrible things that can happen are endless. I have no choice really though, the comment section is messed up, the counter section is messed up and interaction, which has always been so enjoyable and informative is messed up big time too. So, I am giving you ample notice that if this blog explodes I will eventually figure out another avenue of communication. Ah, the good old days when change took decades instead of weeks or days. So, here it goes. Bye for now. Wish me luck....................Later.....Joe

Spam and fake college degrees, again.

Boy, they've got my number now. Those spammers I mean. A short while back I posted about advertisements for custom crafted high school and college diplomas. That's all it took. Every morning since, my mailbox is chock full of advertisements for my very own Ivy league diploma. All signed by the president, my name emblazoned across the front and set in a frame and everything. Can you believe it? Every stinkin day I'm bombarded with that junk. It must be some robot picked up the specific wording description from my posting and now has begun a relentless assault to make a sale. I will persist and send those pesky things to the spam police, every time! We will see who prevails in this war on fraudulent diplomas. (They do look kind of nice though.)

Spam is just another form of stalking I think. Unwanted attention or advances to the point of making me feel in danger. If the robot can infiltrate my email like that, and reporting it to the spam police doesn't stop it, then what is left to do? Take a hammer to my computer screen! But even if I do that the spam is still inside it waiting to point out that I deserve a new diploma. At one time, a long, long time ago, I created another email address with another server. I mean, what the heck, they're free, why not? I did it just in case I got contaminated on my regular address. I've never, ever told anyone about it neither just to be safe. I checked it this morning. Guess what? There is a mailbox full of diploma offers there too. That's just how smart that robot is ya know.

So is the life of a neophyte in the use and understanding of the Internet. Learning how to deal with such things keeps me sharp lest I grow bored. Being a student of the old ways makes me feel a little creepy though, like someone is watching my every key stroke. Reminds me of what a peeping Tom does with my computer being the window. Hey. wait a minute, I do use windows!

Why blog?

Why do I blog? Why do other people blog? What with Face Book and Twitter and the other means of social networking blogging, it seems is losing it's purpose I am told. First of all, I do not use Face Book or Twitter. I'm not a politician or other celebrity so who in the world would want to know what I am doing at any given moment? I don't speak particularly eloquently, colorful or overly humorous either. I simply write for the sake of writing so my skills will improve as I write my next book under the advice of my writing coach. "Keep that pathos going!" He says. I'm happy to do it.

Last weekend I had the honor of joining two very interesting guys on an auto talk show. The two of them seem to know just about everything anyone needs to know about the worlds of automobiles. I was there to add a few things about vehicle cosmetics and perhaps add a touch of variety. After the show I walked onto the sidewalk to reach my car and a bicycle rider going by said, "Hey Joe, I liked what you put on your blog last week about a trust spray." And continued speeding by along with about 7 other bikers. Apparently she was participating in a national bike race that was going on in the streets of downtown Grand Rapids. How she knew it was me is beyond me and that she took a second to comment took me completely by surprise. I enjoyed the moment. I guess I blog for others enjoyment too......................Joe

Power, how far should it go?

Recent happenings in Pakistan waylay ed my search for the most powerful man in America as you can well understand. There is so much more information connected to it too. So much is going on around the world and right under our noses that we are totally unaware of but suspect at the same time. It's good to take some time and gather it all in before secrecy takes over once again.

The most powerful man in the United States, with only one name is working behind the scenes as you read this. Connecting the dots and making alliances in such a way that reminds me of the process by which somebody wins the Survivor game on TV. The difference is, this guy does things for real and we all reap the rewards or consequences of his efforts. I wonder how we allow him to have so much control over our freedom. In my short life I have seen so many changes it makes my head spin sometimes. That's why I'm trying to chase this guy down, to find out his motivation exactly. For example: Why did he work so hard to take away our social security money, how was that a benefit to those of us who pay into it to help secure our old age? Maybe more importantly, why did we let him?

America's most powerful person

I've been reading and hearing about the most powerful person in America. It seems that he can do just about anything. He's got a bunch of friends too. When they get together it's supposed to be an awesome thing to behold. My curiosity is running overtime because I can't find his picture or any background on him. I don't have his last name. You'd think that with all the freedom of information stuff we have I could find just about all I needed to know. I'm going to keep trying. From what I hear, he runs practically the entire country from behind the scenes. Frustrating as it is, my search for him is turning into quite the riddle for me. As you probably already know, I love a good riddle! I'll let you know how it goes. I'm looking for a possible conspiracy here..............Joe

Government debt

The national debt of the United States of America is in the trillions of dollars and going higher.

I am confused! Yeah, yeah, I can hear you agreeing but that's not quite what I mean. I am a business man. I run my business based upon the amount of money that comes in from sales or investments. If I spend too much the business ceases to exist. Every day we read about companies that are going bankrupt. They spent more than they took in. Some companies used a type of bankruptcy that protected them from creditors while they got their act together and cut expenses enough to pay their debt. Others simply closed the doors, sold everything at auction and the debt got paid with pennies on the dollar. What is the United States Congress going to do? They are in charge of the countries finances. Nobody wants to be blamed for doing what they need to do.

Everyone from every part of our government screams that they can just barely do with the amount of money they receive from the tax coffers. None of them has volunteered to take a reduction of funds and tighten their belt to make it all work within the budget. Not one! When the opposing political parties try to negotiate they get stuck on which favorite department gets special treatment. That's the part I am confused about.

If a business spends 10% too much, they usually decrease spending "across the board" by 10%. All parts of the business feel the pinch. no matter how much they scream, all areas join in the process. Why can't our government do that? Everyone would have to make do with a certain percentage of funding loss. Old, young, rich, poor, everyone would feel the pinch. Probably most of our congressmen and women would be voted out at the next election but at least we'd have a balanced budget. It doesn't look like that scenario is going to unfold any time soon but then again, maybe it will. I just probably don't understand how government spends our money. That's probably why I'm confused.

Blasted, confusing computers but here I am anyway

Will my trials and tribulations concerning my computers never end? Yeah, I know, most of my problems stem from my ignorance of these modern day electronic brain wonders. But, I really do try to learn enough to at least operate them with a modicum of comfort and ease. Most of the time I accomplish that. Not for the past few weeks though. I've been locked out of the realm of Internet communication by some sort of evil creature possessing my keyboards. Not just one of them but strangely enough, both of my laptops. One is driven by Windows Office and the other by Windows Vista, in different locations and separate manufacturers too. Goofy! The mouse worked but I could not type a single letter with either keyboard. Nothing at all! I followed a number of suggestions and cleaned the hard drives, ran a virus check, compressed files, got rid of petty, useless programs and browsing history. Punched the keys and zero, zip, Nada! Being a guy of relative Independence I'm not particularly fond of asking for directions. Nor am I given to requesting favors of any kind. Add to that the cost of computer experts and there I sat with a lifeless pair of electronic cacophony. The weeks went by and my patience grew thin. Frustration was setting in and pictures of computers flying across rooms and smashing into brick walls filled my dreams. My humorous outlook wasn't outlooking so much humor any more. Late last night I decided to seek professional help, both for my laptops and for my own sanity. I disconnected everything from each computer right down to removing the back up batteries, packed them carefully in boxes and resigned myself to failure to the point of actually bringing them to a repair shop. I woke up early this morning and thought that I should back up all my files before entrusting those computers to anyone else. I connected this one up, booted it up and lo and behold, the keyboard was working. I was surprised and fiddled with it for a while just to make sure it wasn't a fluke. As you can see it is still working. Not to look a gift horse in the mouth but to test my luck just a little bit more I delicately hook everything up to my back up computer with the notoriously unpredictable Vista program and for crying out loud, that blasted thing works too. I don't recall any particularly different approach to my set up but whatever it was, it worked! Setting on my desk is a horseshoe puzzle. Two horseshoes connected by welded chains with a solid ring between them. The idea is to remove the ring by twisting the chained parts. I have removed the ring and put it back on a half dozen times. However, I have no idea how I did it. I have succeeded in fixing my computers, but in keeping with my puzzle prowess philosophy, I have no idea how I did it. Have a good day. Don't try to figure out how you do it. Just enjoy it...........................Joe

Spring, rabbits and hope

In the writing of "Joe's Story: The Book of a Lifetime" it was surprising to me how my emotions would be affected by the particular season in my life about which I was writing at the time. In winter I could sense the bitter cold and the clean smell of freshly fallen snow. In the fall it was the yellows, reds and browns of the leaves as the trees went to sleep. In the summer the refreshing breeze on a hot afternoon, laying on the beach watching the waves wash ashore in a park somewhere on Lake Michigan. Spring, for many reasons brought the most intense feelings I think. Probably because it brings with it the promise of a new beginning. Dark green blades of grass poke through the crust of winter decay, Robins and other song birds herald their arrival, Crocuses, Daffodils, Hyacinths and other hardy flowers forge through the cold earth and bring living color into the sullen gray and lifeless auburn's of winter hibernation with tulips not far behind. The garden plot slowly readies itself for seeding and fertilizing. Spring brings hope. Hope for a new tomorrow. Ya just gotta love that sorta thing! And, although they can often become voracious, unwelcome pests, my favorite sign of Spring is the annual dance of the rabbits. They gather everywhere, including my garden and the middle of my neighborhood roads, making driving in the predawn hours more than a bit of an obstacle course, as it was this morning. It goes without saying what they are looking for. Rabbits just seem to have fun no matter what they do. So, I say on this day that if you feel just a little under the weather you might want to consider concocting some sort of Spring dance of your own.(RE: Snoopy in the Peanuts Comic Strip) However, I would strongly suggest you not do it in the middle of the road, or in my garden either for that matter. Have a wonderful Spring and may it stretch throughout the entire year for you..............Joe (I have shared a lot of time with three friends the past week. They are not well, two are critically ill. I ask you to help me pray for them. They could sure use some encouragement about now. Thanks!)

Drag racing, history, Joe's Story and Teenagers

From the very first page it is clear in "Joe's Story: The Book of a Lifetime" that in the not too distant past, the word freedom had a slightly different meaning. As one exuberant reader put it: "Those of us over 50 will know those things happened all the time. Those who are under 5o will wish they had enjoyed the same adventures." Joe's Story is often a really enjoyable bit of U.S. history.

Automobiles were a sign of passage for most all young people but most specificaly for men. Squealing tires, burning rubber, loud "Cherry Bomb" mufflers, straight pipes and "Lakers." Rag tops, Lead Sleds, Reverb radios, Spinners, slicks, Continental kits, fender skirts, Frenched headlights, cams, carbs and solid lifters all added to the cruising experience. Of course, those hopped up cars were hopped up for a reason, and it was usually drag racing. I did my share of drag racing right along with most other guys I knew. I spoke with one of those guys the other day and we reminisced about a race we had that never really got off the ground. He had a "64" Chevy with a 409 engine, I had a "64" Pontiac GTO with a 389 engine. He had Dual Quads and I had Trips for carburation, We both had 4 on the floor transmissions. Those muscle cars were made to drag race. We went way out on a country road around midnight and squared off side by side. A friend stood in the middle of the road and dropped a handkerchief flag us to start. He took off like a shot, so did I. The problem was he went forward but I went backward. I had mistakenly left my car in reverse. He went to the end and came back demanding his $20, for that was what we were racing for. I asked if we could do it over, it was simply a mistake on my part. He said fine and we squared off again, the handkerchief dropped and tires burned and squealed. He went racing to the end, one of my tires blew out and went flat almost ruining the rim before I could stop. He went to the end and returned, again demanding his $20. I asked if we could do it once again, double or nothing, no excuses. He like the idea of possibly going home $40 richer. I changed my tire, we squared off, engines revving, hearts pounding, the hankerchief dropped, clutches popped and we both took off like bullets from guns, side by side, banging into second gear at literally the same time, engines screaming and tires squawking announcing the added power neck and neck, his transmission almost exploded and he lost three gears while I continued to the finish line. I returned, oblivious to the fact that his transmission was junk and asked very nicely for my $40. He gave me a barage of verbal abuse worthy of a boot camp sargeant. After he explained about his transmission I apologized and told him I had no idea and he cooled off. Then he set off to go home driving in 3rd gear, the ony one that worked, at 25 niles an hour with me right behind him in case it broke again. Luckily he made it home and I helped him fix it over the weekend. So much for that race that never really happened.

Yeah, stuff like that happened all the time. That's the way it was during that time. Not everything turned out perfect then either. But, it sure seemed like a lot of fun while it was going on. I'm sure you'll enjoy reading all about them in Joe's Story and sometimes it will take your breath away.........................Joe

Groupon, consumer tip and Joe's Story

I am not going to sell "Joe's Story: The Book of a Lifetime" by using coupons any time soon.
I don't want to put it on the best seller list by losing my life savings while doing it.

I blogged a while back about my opinion of groupon and similar sites. I received a slew of comments, over 75% were negative, expressing dissatisfaction and lack of support with issues. The positive comments expressed good experiences and satisfaction. Those were concerning the coupon buyers. I also received several comments from the sellers of the coupons, none of which were totally positive. Mostly they said they didn't do their homework when it came to profitability along with the huge numbers of coupon customers. Sure, they received a good chunk of change, mostly when business was down. However, the huge sum did not come any where near covering expenses, especially when the very unprofitable coupon buyers wanted to use them when they could be dealing with profitable customers instead. One of them said that if they were to honor all the coupons in a short time they would surely have to close before they went into bankruptcy. That's a no-win situation if you ask me.

Being a coupon clipper myself I can understand the desire for a good deal. every time I save a dollar I am giving myself a raise for that moment. We can all use a little of that can't we? But, as a business man I also know first hand the need to make a profit. Nothing would bother me more than to go home at the end of a week of hard work and tell my family I worked all week and have no money for food. And that's exactly what some of those offers represent to businesses. Please let me explain.

It is my understanding the coupon offers go like this: A business offers a product or service for at least 40% off. Lets say, I will cut your lawn for a month. This service usually costs $85, the coupon offer is priced at $45 to the buyer. Good deal so far huh? Now, just in case you didn't know or care, the website receives one half of that money, $22.50 and the lawn maintenance service receives $22.50. If there are 4 weeks in a month that amounts to $5.12 a week to have your grass cut. Would you cut any ones grass for $5.12? Expenses alone would amount to that. Then there is equipment repair, travel costs and the need to make a profit. If you had to make a choice and cut someones grass for $5.12 at one place and received $22 at another place, which one would you choose? No wonder I received so many unsatisfactory comments. I don't say not to buy those wonderful coupons but I do say that you should read all the information you can so you don't wind up buying something you can't use and lose your money or walk away wishing all upset because you didn't get what you wanted. To the buyers: Buy smart! Be happy! Save lots of money! To the sellers: Don't stick your neck out and lose your business or get a black eye from a lot of unhappy customers. Bad news travels ten times as fast as good news.

That's my consumer tip for the day. I don't like to be redundant but it's a very popular subject.

3.5 million dollars free

Joe's Story: The Book of a Lifetime may be worth 3.5 million dollars......................To me.

Realiastically it will probably be a while before that becomes the case to the movie industry. I turned down the last opportunity to sell the movie rights about 4 years ago and haven't recieved any more offers since. I did get a letter that informed me I was about to be awarded 3.5 million dollars though. I thought that was pretty cool. I could probably make my own movie with 3.5 million bucks couldn't I? Even without tax breaks from the State of Michigan.

This guy that works for Duitsche Bank wrote me concerning another guy with my same last name. It seems this guy with my name died over 7 years ago without any will but with 8.5 million dollars in an account with Duitsche Bank. No next of kin anywhere either. Well, this guy from Duitsche Bank wants to tell the bank that I am a long lost nephew or something like that and deposit the money in my bank account here in the states. If I do that, all he asks is that I send him back 5 million dollars. He says, "Yes, this is illegal but if he and I don't take the money this way it will go into the government coffers and we all know the government has enough of our money already." Because this is illegal he want s me to keep it a secret and not tell anyone. So, I ask you please to honor that wish and not tell anyone either.

As much as I would like to help this guy out, I'm afraid I have to pass on the offer. For you see, I have taken an oath of poverty. I didn't know I did but what with being far removed from any large amounts of money throughout my life, that's the only reason I can think of. Not wanting all that free money to go to waste, I took the letter to the local police department in hopes they could find someone more deserving than I to collect on it. They told me that a man from the states did try to collect the money a short while back. However, it backfired and he lost everything and wound up dead when he trieds to get it back.

I guess this offer of 3.5 million dollars isn't so free after all. I guess it's back to selling Joe's Story one book at a time. You can help by telling everyone you know about it. Why would you like to help me? Because you are a nice person. Yes, a very nice person. Thanks...........Joe
P.S. Spell check did not work on this posting.

AARP members/books

AARP members and the book "Joe's Story: The Book of a Lifetime" are a perfect fit. However, there is no way I can possibly afford to advertise in the monthly magazine or bulletin. How else am I going to reach you? Blogs, facebook and twitter, but I need your help to do it. Joe's Story is a great read. It will keep you on the edge of your seat, waiting in anticipation of the next page filled with adventure and memories. Because most of us soon forget our experiences there are not many true stories out there quite like this. I'm asking you to help me get the word out there by putting the website on any of your social networking. www.joesstory.com

The reviews are excellent. I am not bragging because this autobiography is not so much about me but about all those people we all know that have accomplished exceptional things in the face of adversity and seemingly insurmountable odds. There are a lot of hero's that pass through our lives relatively unnoticed. Not so in Joe's Story. It is a book you will never regret reading and will in all likelihood read several times.

Lets face it, we've all gone through good and bad times in our lives. We share the trials, pains and tribulations but also we share the adventure, laughter, exhilaration and sense of accomplishment by simply making it this far too. Now I want to share a great thing with you. This is the only way I can do it. Help spread the word about Joe's Story to everyone you know. Together we can help a lot of people experience a better life and enjoy a few laughs along the way. I'd appreciate it. Thanks................Joe Cramer, Author......Joe's Story: The Book of a Lifetime

Senior bloggers attention

Joe's Story: The Book of a Lifetime Written by me, Joe Cramer is an excellent book. I need your help. Over the past couple of years since Joe's Story was published a number of hurdles have prevented me from properly promoting it. Water over the dam and the fact remains that Joe's Story is still a wonderful, historical, often humerous, true story. I appeal to seniors because as a rule they are discretionary and prefer to not waste time or money on second rate stuff. I ask that you check out www.joesstory.com and mention it on your blog or any other social network you use.

Millions of people are using twitter and facebook as a means of social communication. I do not participate because of time restraints. I need the help of as many senior bloggers, twitterers and facebookers as possible to get the word out about Joe's Story. While it may not be a classic piece of literature, for those of us that experienced the 40's, 50's, 60's, and 70's, Joe's Story will tickle your memories and emotions and bring a smile to your face like few other books can.

Yes, this is a blatant attempt at promotion. At this time there is are no other means available to me so I ask those of you who have gone through much of what I have to assist me in my quest: Getting Joe's Story out there in the hands of those who will appreciate its relevance and life improving sentiments. I have not received any unflattering reviews of it. I have received hundreds of positive comments and most people that have read it say that their life is more meaningful now. I couldn't ask for a better outcome, could you?

In the past we all used to help each other. Today is the beginning of my on line promotion of Joe's Story: The Book of a Lifetime. Give me a hand if you can. I'd really appreciate it. Thank you in advance................Joe

Writing and blogging and authoring

Write, blog, write, blog, write blog. That's what my publicist said to do. I write and blog because I enjoy doing them. When he told me to do it even more I could only say, "Yes!!!"

Exactly what does this get me: all this writing and blogging? Exposure maybe? Experience maybe? After 3 years I have found that it brings those and much more to my life. Cases and cases upon cases of "Joe's Story: The Book of a Lifetime" have been sold. I've had several speaking engagements combined often with book signings because of my blogging and additional writings. The experiences have been very fulfilling and satisfying. Thousands of people have taken the time to write me concerning the book and how it affected their lives for the better. I haven't made a dime from it all. That in no way diminished my pleasure in writing Joe's Story or talking to people about it.

The writing and blogging only add to the experience. I do have the dream of becoming a popular, well known writer and commentator. Only a chosen few will experience those situations. That's fine by me I guess. I'm having a great time anyway. Writing and blogging bring me internal feelings of satisfaction others will never know. I've matched wits with some really intelligent and knowledgeable people because of being a published author. Some incredibly well known people have read Joe's Story and described to me how much they enjoyed and learned from its pages of memories. The most common question I am asked is: "How did you make it into adulthood without getting killed?" My only answer: "By the grace of God."

Writing and blogging is as much a part of me as of any author out there. Maybe I'm not on the best seller list yet but that doesn't make me any different than those that are. We write because something has welled up inside of us to the point where we can no longer keep it to ourselves. Although, there are times when I feel very much like the little, tag along, pain in the butt brother I must have been to my older sibling when we were growing up. I admired my older brother and he was my hero. I wanted to be just like him. I feel like that about the authors on the best seller list too.

Meanwhile, here I sit, writing and blogging, writing and blogging, writing and blogging. Just like my publicist told me to do. That's what writers and authors do.

Writing lesson one-0-one Coaches wisdom

Writing is an acquired skill. Writing has its rules: Spelling, structure, grammar, context, emphasis, pathos and all other sorts of things that bring it into being understandable and meaningful. My writing coach had a boatload of advice for me regarding the world of writing. It was his opinion you see that I was an excellent writer, I just didn't write well as far as the rules are concerned. In all the time we worked together he focused on my unorthodox style of writing. "With a down home, self taught, meandering, innocent but honest openness." I wondered if that was a compliment or an insult. He said it was neither, it was meant as directional influence. I'm still working on that. He did encourage me to write at every opportunity, about just about anything that crossed my mind and tackle the rules as I encountered them. The result, he said was I would eventually fully realize my writing potential. He also suggested I blog on literature sites and maybe some day I would be discovered.

I thought for a long time regarding blogging on a literature site, I didn't regard my writing as anywhere near being described as literature. I finally questioned my coach about the literature blogging and this is what he said: "If I wrote on a site that would be occasionally viewed by people interested in literature I would receive the most sincere criticism available which would result in my improvement as a writer. Cheaper than a writing coach too." I had to agree with the cheaper part. So, anyway I've been writing on this blog ever since in hopes that he is correct.

The coach shared a few other nuggets too.
*A writer never receives encouragement from "writing experts" in my close geographical area. (He was correct in that one.)
*A writer receives encouragement from the most unlikely sources. Right again!
*Writing about anything beats not writing. I feel great when I write, about anything, so right again.
*Those people that can't write with my open honesty will be my worse critics. I can't answer that.
*When all is said and done and written, the one I have to please and remain true to is myself. We'll see when all is said and done I guess.
*Don't trust anyone with your personal writings. I agree, I've had some of mine taken.
*To have a best seller I have to be either an exceptionally great writer or have written something exceptionally meaningful. Not necessarily in combination. I'm working on that.
*The only measure of good writing is if it has accomplished some sort of good. I try to do that with every word and I'm happy with that.
*If you write to make money you may have to compromise your purpose or morals. I haven't done that.

He said a lot of other things that I have written down for my own self improvement hopes. Do I want to write a best seller? Yup! I actually did once. I didn't have to compromise. All of his wisdom isn't correct all the time. But, I just keep writing away. I feel better, and according to my writing coach a lot of mediocre writers have someone to criticise. That is doing some good with my writing isn't it? I am a published author several times over. I have been offered a possible movie option. I still haven't been discovered. Maybe I'm still learning what that means.

Writing lesson

Yesterday I spent several hours composing one of the most interesting and informative postings I've ever done. At the crack of dawn I arose from my slumber with my head filled with ideas for this blog. Many comments and emails from friends and followers often ask questions I'm unable to answer at the time for one reason or another. So, I place them in a folder for future consideration. Yesterday was my day for future consideration. I was inspired and motivated. After church I sat down and researched the material. made notes and got started. My fingers flew across the keyboard as if they had a mind of their own. Everything was falling together like a mental jig saw puzzle. Letters formed words, words formed sentences, sentences formed ideas and ideas blended into massive accumulations of common sense. My writing was exquisitely fluent, professional and riveting.

The subject matter involved our quest for a healthy lifestyle without being consumed by it and limiting our total life experience. Some topics included: diet, exercise, meditation, faith, recreation, motivation and how to put them all together and be happy and stress free. Knowledge is empowering was part of the main theme. How to obtain correct knowledge was the driving motivator, driving home the importance of resources other than friends or self proclaimed know-it-all acquaintances. I was filled with enthusiasm through to my soul, my message was upbeat and filled with hope. I thought of nothing else while I was writing. The rest of the world was put on hold.

While I was busy writing the rest of the world went on without me. In my solitude I forgot something. The "save" button. My server went down and all was lost despite my efforts to retrieve it. Gone! I don't know what I could have done to prevent this from happening but I'm on a mission to find out just what that may be. You never know when I might wake up and write that way again. Meanwhile, stay healthy and happy......................Joe

Men crying

What's all this men crying stuff that's going on anyway? It seems that every time I turn on the TV or the radio, some otherwise macho guy is choking back tears and has to compose himself before he can continue speaking. Yeah sure, we all know that real men do cry right? But come on, over every little thing? getting a new job, buying a car, making a bad baseball call, new clothes, receiving a big hammer and walking in the door of a new home all appear to induce a waterfall of tears they need a bath towel to wipe away. I'm really getting confused about this seemingly popular new phenomenon. It's sort of discomforting and unsettling to say the least.

In all my years of life, since my earliest memories I learned that men cry, yes they do. It's totally allowed. But, men should know when and where they can cry. Knowing that is an important part of being a man. If men continue to cry openly, anywhere, anytime, for any reason we're going to be thought of as a bunch of pushovers, so completely in touch with our inner selves that we may be mistaken for being, "sensitive." Heaven forbid!

I would like to remind all you guys out there that are letting loose with a flow of tears running down your cheeks and quivering lower lip that you should be a little more discreet with your emotions before you completely lose your manhood. Men know where to go when the need to cry overwhelms them. Men go to bars and cry their hearts out to the bartender! It's always been that way and some of you should ought to remember that. I suppose it all started with Dr. Phil and took off from there but we have to get back to the basics of manhood and return to our natural instincts of crying in our beer. People watching a man cry on TV may not truly understand why he's doing it but we know with absolute confidence the neighborhood bartender can relate, completely understand and keep it to himself. That's the way it is and has always been in real life isn't it? So, I say, cry away, cry often but keep it within the boundaries of true manhood. Do your crying in a bar. Just like this with a little tongue in the cheek.

Entrepreneur lessons and advice

Being an entrepreneur isn't easy. Nine out of ten new entrepreneurs go out of business in the first three years and half of those go out of business in the next two years. I am an entrepreneur, I started my business in 1960. I almost went out of business a half dozen times since then. Some say that I should have. It took a great deal of personal commitment to keep the doors open. I'm not special, I'm just like thousands of other entrepreneurs that do whatever it takes to get the job done.

When you are the foundation of a business it is a huge responsibility and requires a do or die attitude. In one particular year several of my customers went bankrupt, taking with them a quarter of a million dollars of the fruits of my labor. I remember well what the president of one of the largest corporations said to me when he handed me the bankruptcy forms, "Don't take it personal, it's just business." I had to go home and tell my family that everything we had worked for in the past is gone and everything for the next 19 years is already taken. You can bet your bottom dollar I took it personal.

I consider myself honored to be among the small group of successful entrepreneurs. I thank the people in my life that told me that if I was to succeed I'd have to get used to sacrifice. They weren't lying! When the accountants said it couldn't be done, I found a way. When my competitors said they'd beat me into the ground and run me out of business, I survived on my terms. The cost? When many of my friends were taking vacations I worked, I went 33 years without a real vacation. When a lot of my friends were working forty hour weeks with paid sick days and benefits, I worked eighty to ninety hours a week with no sick days and no benefits.

The rewards? My company is still growing and has survived the economic downturn. I look forward to going to work every day. I am a happy dude. Dozens of people have had a job and supported their families while working for my company. Our efforts have helped support the community for many years. It hasn't been easy.

So I offer this advice to present or hopeful entrepreneurs. Go for it! Be prepared for the long hours and hardships and don't give up. It is up to you to make it happen!.............Good luck!