My Blog

So…while perusing Facebook recently, I discovered a new app that allows the user to participate in virtual races. It’s called Yes.Fit, and they offer “over 65” different virtual challenges of varying lengths and series. They also have specialized races from time to time that are for specific categories and/or are limited to a number of participants. The best part of the program is that you can complete the challenges at your own pace, however, be advised that some of them may be time sensitive. I used the picture of the knight for this one, because the race I have chosen for my first challenge is called King Arthur. The legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table have always been an interest of mine since I was a kid, and this one jumped out at me.

It was very easy to set up my profile and get started. I picked the race I wanted to do, picked my reward (yes, just like any other race you sign up for, you have a choice of a medal or a T-shirt at an additional cost), entered my shipping and payment information and I was set. Yes.Fit progress can be tracked through a number of fitness devices. I am using Apple Health on my phone for now, but may go to another device, as I don’t always have my phone on me when I walk.

My plan is to do this virtual challenge to get myself into a better routine of getting out and moving more, however, I want to take it a step further. Each challenge gives you an introduction to the race, plus a map of where you would be walking if you were doing it for real. This challenge is 23.2 miles long, and runs “along the rugged North Coast of Cornwall to Tintagel”. As I get further into each journey and come into different towns, I plan to blog about each town and some of the history as it may partain to Arthurian legend. You can join me in one of two ways. You can go to the Yes.Fit page on Facebook and sign up for your own challenge, or continue to follow my blog and walk along with me that way. Since this is my first race with Yes.Fit I’m not sure what all to expect. They sent me a picture this morning of a coastal scene from the beginning of the race. I’ll try and add those to the blogs, too.

I encourage you to go and check out the Yes.Fit Facebook page (Yes.Fit) and see what all they have to offer. I mentioned at the top that they offer challenges in different series. They have series, such as folklore, legends and myths; literary figures and authors; scenic highways and byways; wine countries; the Appalachian Trail and a lot more. You may find one that jumps out at you, too.

You all have a great day. I’ll blog more later. Right now, though, I’m going for a walk.

Hi, All,

In my last post I introduced you to a friend of mine, Josephine M. In this post I want to introduce you to K Alice Compeau, or Alice.

When I decided I wanted to write my debut novel (on which I am still working), I went to Twitter to connect with a community of writers to whom I could turn for guidance, encouragement, support and advice. Shortly afterward I met a whole ‘nother community, the hashtaggers. One of the wittiest, sharpest and cleverest people I met while playing hashtag games (badly, I admit) was Alice. She’s so good at the games that she cohosts her own game, @PeachyTags with two equally talented women.

Not only is she a witty woman, she is also a talented writer. She already has some titles under her belt, however, she is currently delving into the realm of romance writing, with her first novel close to release. As with all other writers of whom I’ve blogged, I highly recommend you follow Alice, and buy her book. Buy it, read it, review it and recommend that others do the same.

You can follow Alice on Twitter at @KAliceCompeau; on Facebook at K. Alice Compeau; on WordPress at kalicecompeau.com, where you can follow her blog and subscribe to her email, so you can receive future updates on her work. She is also on Instagram and Google+. She is a busy woman.

 

Hello, All,

Josephine M is one of my Twitter friends. She is beginning a journey of discovery, renewal, self-awareness, healing and regrowth. She has just kicked off her blog, and has published two posts. Please go to her blog, whoisjosephinem.wordpress.com and follow along with her journey, share he posts and send thoughts of good wishes, positive energies and strength to this brave woman.

 

It’s that time of year. Pitchers and catchers have reported, and the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues are in full swing (pun intended). As much as I’d love to be in Florida during Spring training, I get just as much joy going to our local high school and college to watch the teams play there. And, since I graduated from both, it’s nice to be able to go and visit the campuses and maybe run into old friends.

As I get older, I find myself enjoying the sport of baseball more. There are certain aspects of the game that appeal to me now that didn’t used to when I was younger. For instance, baseball is a slow-paced game. That would drive some people crazy, however, the ADD me likes being able to keep up with what’s going on, and it’s much easier to follow with a few men scattered out across the playing surface than it is with two groups in the middle, vying for the same ball or puck, which is lost somewhere in the bottom of the pile.

Another thing I like about the game is that, although it’s a team sport, it is also a game of individuals. One batter against one pitcher, thinking, ‘will I be able to hit the pitch?’ and, if he does, then it becomes the runner against the fielder, thinking, ‘can I make it to first base before the fielder throws me out?’ Or the pitcher, thinking, ‘can I strike out this batter?’

Finally, it’s a different atmosphere than any other sport. It’s laid back, usually sunny and warm and the crowd noise is different than the roaring and cheering you would hear at any other sporting event. You do hear the cheering of the crowd when a good play is made or the jeers at a bad call, but you also hear “batter chatter”. You know what I mean, “hey batter batter, hey batter batter…swing!” You never hear someone at a football game yell, “hey quarterback, hey quarterback…pass!” There’s also the guy in the stands hollering out encouragement, “Come on, kid! You got this, kid!” Hearing “kid” reminds me of every old baseball movie I ever saw as a kid myself.

Being at the baseball stadium is just a neat thing for me. It’s a world all it’s own, and I can’t wait to enjoy this season.

 

I haven’t written in a while, and wanted to get something – anything – out there. In my last post I said that I was hoping to get outside more, and write about my adventures. Due to work schedules and other things I have not been able to get out like I had hoped to, then it dawned on me, I am out every night that I work. So, here is Five Minutes of my night tonight.

I am sitting in the car on top of a hill, looking down on what lies before me. The parking lot lights shine down on empty spaces, void of any vehicles this late at night. It’s a cold night. The flags on the three poles are blowing in the stiff breeze. Buildings, which have been secured for the night, sit like brick monuments bathed in light and shadow. The fountain will still be flowing for the next thirty minutes, it’s lights changing colors;  red-orange-yellow-green-blue-indigo-violet. I like to sit beside it on warmer nights, and have Zen time before it turns off for the night. A few cars on the streets, calls over the radios, sirens all around. The sounds of night. I am listening to ‘Echoes’ on ETV Radio. I am the sheepdog, keeping watch for the wolves that come in the night.

 

Okay, if you follow my blog posts, and actually read them, you will see that this isn’t the outdoorsman type post I wrote about a couple weeks ago, however, this post is about an activity that is enjoyed outdoors – football.

It’s Super Bowl time again, and, as every year, I am compelled to climb upon my band geek soap box, and talk about what is missing from the “big game”. Every other element is there; the stadium, the crowds, the teams, the alcohol, even the big tailgating activities before, during and after the game. So…where are the marching bands?

Marching bands and football games have gone hand-in-hand since the beginning of football and marching bands. It is a natural relationship, like peas and carrots (for you Forest Gump fans). Don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against Justin Timberlake. I think he’s an awesome entertainer, and this blog is not directed at him. This is about the nation’s expectation that there has to be a big name singer giving a concert in the middle of a football game. Want to know why tickets are so high? Because you’re not only paying to watch two football teams vie for the national championship. You’re also paying millions for a mini rock concert. Those bands and roadies and technicians don’t work for free, not even for the Super Bowl.

But, Jim…there are no big professional marching bands out there, some of you are saying (others are saying you prefer the mini rock concerts, others of you stopped caring about this post after the second sentence, I know). Are there not? Go online and look up Drum Corps International, better known as DCI. There are huge, competitive marching bands all over the nation as part of DCI. I have been following DCI since I was a kid and had two friends who played with different bands. These dedicated musicians are every bit as professional and competitive as any player on that field. You could also take bands from schools in the two states that have teams in the Super Bowl and let them learn a routine and play at halftime. Then the NFL could take that money they are paying for these mini concerts and donate to the music programs in those states. I say we need to bring the marching bands to the “big game”, and let them showcase their talents. Band Geeks Unite!!

Until next time…

 

 

So…I hit a slump after the first of the year, and haven’t been feeling too creative. The ideas just haven’t been coming to me like they did when I first started this blog. As is normally the case, inspiration is usually found right under your nose, and, because of a Facebook reply from my dad, I think I have found a new direction for my writing.

As I read other posts on Twitter and other blog sites, I have seen that most people have common threads to their posts. From writing and reading and inspirational thought to fun and games and hashtagging, political rants, cute animals and seductive pics, the point is, although there is a lot of different stuff out there, the people doing the posting are mainly sticking to a single theme, while ADD me is all over the place with my posts.

Which brings me to my point. When I was young, my dad was a scout master, and we went camping once a month, never cancelling a trip due to weather, which led to some very interesting camping trips. The other day my dad replied to one of my posts, saying, “We need to write a book about camping and having fun doing it” (light bulb went off over my head). I spent a huge part of my growing up in the woods camping, hiking, cooking, fishing, etc, and there are lots of stories I could tell, so, why not write them down? Also, one of my personal goals for this year is to get outside more, so I will be able to write about those adventures, as well. Maybe having a theme will keep me active, physically and creatively.

Keep following. New stuff coming soon. I need a catchphrase for my posts. Maybe that’s coming soon, too lol.

You can also find me on Facebook @jimblackwriter and Twitter @JimBlacPC2006

So, it’s extremely cold across the United States and, here in the southern parts, people just aren’t prepared for what we’ve already gotten and what’s to come. Temperatures got down to 16 degrees Fahrenheit at work Monday night. Since we don’t experience such extreme cold on a regular basis, we generally don’t have the goods and resources as states where this is the norm. Sometimes the results are fatal.

Yesterday, while in bed recovering from a severe biliary stone attack, I had an idea that would combine blogging and hashtagging. About 99.99% of the time hashtag games are for fun and to escape the seriousness of daily routines. In this blog, I am proposing that gamers offer advice on good practices for extreme, life-threatening cold weather. My hope is that we will share tips and suggestions that will help us all get through the winter. If you live in the northern states, Canada or in another part of the world that experiences sub-zero temps, share your knowledge with us warm weathered human beings.

You can leave your comments on here. If you are on Twitter, play the hashtag game, or share on whatever social media you use. Let’s have fun, but helpful. Thanks!

Title: Something’s Fishy In Palm Springs

Author/Publisher: Michelle Ann Hollstein

Year Released: 2008

Hi, Guys! I’m back with another book review for indie author/publisher, Michelle Hollstein.  Yes, I just did a review of her book, Deadly Withdrawal, the first book in her Aggie Underhill Mystery series. Something’s Fishy In Palm Springs is Hollstein’s second foray into mystery writing, and finds her attractive, albeit “too nosy for her own good” protagonist, Ms Aggie Underhill, once again involved in a mystery that goes from missing to murder, with a couple kidnappings mixed in, when a beautiful online dating site owner/ part-time actress goes missing, a fish is kidnapped and a murder occurs during a party for the fishy. Yes, I said a party for the fishy. In this book, readers are further introduced to Betty, Aggie’s best friend for over twenty years, and Roger, Betty’s flamboyant cousin, whom she found during an online family search.

Overall, I give the book four out of five stars. There are grammatical errors and misspellings throughout the book, and I felt the ending was a little too convenient. With that said, I think that Something’s Fishy In Palm Springs is a great second effort into this new genre, and look forward to seeing how Hollstein’s plots and characters develop over the next eight books in the series. If you’re looking for a light, “quirky” mystery series, you need to check out the Aggie Underhill Mystery series by Michelle Ann Hollstein. For the holidays, I’m reading Maid In Heaven, the third book in the Aggie Underhill series, and will have a review soon afterward.