The following is the introduction to a novel I wrote; Frederic. I wrote it a couple years ago and have recently completed the daunting process of finding a publisher. Finally, Frederic is almost ready for publication. It's going through final edit and withing the next 2-3 weeks, I will receive the proposed final copy. Once approved, it's off to graphics, design and print. The novel should be available early this Summer. It's an action-adventure story with a little suspense, drama and humor. Actually, it's a love-story.
Frederic Introduction
Hurricane Frederic formed in the Atlantic Ocean on August twenty-ninth, 1979;
strengthened to Hurricane status and was eventually downgraded to a Tropical
Depression over Cuba. The storm unexpectedly reorganized in the Gulf of Mexico
and set a course for the Northern Gulf Coast of the United States. Never
faltering or wavering, the massive hurricane stormed the Alabama coastline and
unleashed a furious assault never before seen in Mobile, Alabama, on September
twelfth.
In a historic pounding of wind, tornadoes, rain and flying debris lasting an entire night,
Frederic reached recorded winds of at least 135 miles per hour. Catastrophic
flooding, beach erosion, destroyed homes and hundreds of uprooted trees were
among a few of the ways the massive hurricane unleashed millions of dollars
worth of destruction on the historic southern town. Hurricane Frederic was the
sixth named tropical cyclone; the third hurricane and the second major
hurricane of the 1979 Atlantic Season. He reached Category Four status (131-155
mph) on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Hurricane Frederic is still
considered one of the most devastating and powerful tropical cyclones to strike
the Gulf Coast.
With Hurricane Frederic as a backdrop, this is the story of five fictional families living in
historic Midtown Mobile who experience the transforming power of a storm; turning
tragedy into triumph. Any resemblance to actual people or events is coincidental.
The strength of an anchor is only discovered during a storm.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Philippians 2:5-8
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross.
Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV)
Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV)
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Beethoven Influenced the Creation of the CD
Beethoven's Ninth
The most misunderstood symphony in history was Beethoven's Ninth. Even if you're not into music, the story of Beethoven's 9th symphony is fascinating. For over 150 years, critics mistakenly assumed that Beethoven must have been lying when he said it was his most unique and complex piece. Though powerful, the work seemed to have no unity, so the critics assumed the 9th was merely a compilation of earlier works. The critics blew it off as garbage.
Then, a few musicians in the 20th century began to note all the sub themes running throughout the music. And as those themes were noted, the whole symphony opened up in all its beauty and power. Ultimately, the composition became recognized in all its greatness. Beethoven's Symphony #9 was understood as a unified whole. And once the unity was understood, the impact became remarkable.
When the European Union wanted to select an anthem to represent all of European civilization, Beethoven's 9th was the obvious choice, particularly the final movement - the Ode of Joy. Further, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony appears to have influenced the development of the compact disc. Philips and Sony were the companies that had started work on the new cd audio format in 1979. As they experimented with different sizes, Sony chairman Norio Ohga insisted that the CD be able to contain a complete performance of the Ninth Symphony. Since the longest known performance of Beethoven's 9th lasted 74 minutes, that became the longest playing time of a CD. A diameter of 12 centimeters was required for this playing time. Therefore, a cd is 12 cm around because that's what it took to fit all of the 9th on one.
The most misunderstood symphony in history was Beethoven's Ninth. Even if you're not into music, the story of Beethoven's 9th symphony is fascinating. For over 150 years, critics mistakenly assumed that Beethoven must have been lying when he said it was his most unique and complex piece. Though powerful, the work seemed to have no unity, so the critics assumed the 9th was merely a compilation of earlier works. The critics blew it off as garbage.
Then, a few musicians in the 20th century began to note all the sub themes running throughout the music. And as those themes were noted, the whole symphony opened up in all its beauty and power. Ultimately, the composition became recognized in all its greatness. Beethoven's Symphony #9 was understood as a unified whole. And once the unity was understood, the impact became remarkable.
When the European Union wanted to select an anthem to represent all of European civilization, Beethoven's 9th was the obvious choice, particularly the final movement - the Ode of Joy. Further, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony appears to have influenced the development of the compact disc. Philips and Sony were the companies that had started work on the new cd audio format in 1979. As they experimented with different sizes, Sony chairman Norio Ohga insisted that the CD be able to contain a complete performance of the Ninth Symphony. Since the longest known performance of Beethoven's 9th lasted 74 minutes, that became the longest playing time of a CD. A diameter of 12 centimeters was required for this playing time. Therefore, a cd is 12 cm around because that's what it took to fit all of the 9th on one.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Internet Scavenger Hunt
Let's play a game ..... an Internet scavenger hunt.
Find the following items somewhere on the net and post the links for everyone to see.
1. A copy of Captain Kirk's Log.
2. World Record for chewing the same piece of gum.
3. A free version of the final episode of Cheers.
4. An article detailing the demands of the occupy movement that actually makes sense.
5. Weird Al's 2011 concert schedule.
6. How many criminals were shot by citizens in Texas this year.
7. How many Alabama politicians have served jail time after being elected.
8. Eddie Murphy's I Got Your Ice Cream Routine. I think he was wearing his red faux leather
jumpsuit.
9. Video of Robert Tilton preaching. Gotta love those facial expressions.
10. The end of the Internet.
Find the following items somewhere on the net and post the links for everyone to see.
1. A copy of Captain Kirk's Log.
2. World Record for chewing the same piece of gum.
3. A free version of the final episode of Cheers.
4. An article detailing the demands of the occupy movement that actually makes sense.
5. Weird Al's 2011 concert schedule.
6. How many criminals were shot by citizens in Texas this year.
7. How many Alabama politicians have served jail time after being elected.
8. Eddie Murphy's I Got Your Ice Cream Routine. I think he was wearing his red faux leather
jumpsuit.
9. Video of Robert Tilton preaching. Gotta love those facial expressions.
10. The end of the Internet.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Republicans Don't Care Who Wins the Presidency
Republicans don't care about the presidency. They are not interested in winning the White House because the power in our country is in Congress. The conservative movement is of no concern or interest to the elite Washington establishment.
Power = Money
The Republicans want control of Congress because they want control of the money ..... our money.
Does it seem strange that every Republican candidate that challenges Mitt Romney has been attacked from the left and right? The Republican establishment in Washington believe that Romney as a candidate gives them the best change to gain seats in the Senate. With control of Congress, the Presidency becomes irrelevant. The money and power is in Congress.
The crazy, psycho Republican race has been orchestrated by the Washington elites who want to control our money.
Republicans have bought into the European, progressive movement that does not work.
AND .....
President Obama is now trying to reinvent himself as a moderate, progressive .....
How stupid ...... He's a liberal.
Power = Money
The Republicans want control of Congress because they want control of the money ..... our money.
Does it seem strange that every Republican candidate that challenges Mitt Romney has been attacked from the left and right? The Republican establishment in Washington believe that Romney as a candidate gives them the best change to gain seats in the Senate. With control of Congress, the Presidency becomes irrelevant. The money and power is in Congress.
The crazy, psycho Republican race has been orchestrated by the Washington elites who want to control our money.
Republicans have bought into the European, progressive movement that does not work.
AND .....
President Obama is now trying to reinvent himself as a moderate, progressive .....
How stupid ...... He's a liberal.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Pay College Athletes ... Not As Students But As Professionals
I'm sick of college sports .... specifically football and basketball ... the only profit centers for universities. Years ago, there was a group of people called student athletes. Today, that group has been replaced with minor league athletes who are exploited, used as institutional slaves and thrown away after winning championships. The problem is greed! Haven't you heard that before? The love of money is the root of all evil. Making money isn't a problem, exploiting others because of the love of money is.
Universities use students in order to make money for the trustees and administrators. The athletes who earn the money never see it. Then they get in trouble because someone pays them under the table. Most of the time, they need the money to live on while in school.
The answer is simple ..... pay the players .... not as university students but as minor league athletes.
The profitable sports should be taken away from the universities and the NFL and NBA should develop farm/minor league systems like baseball. Players could opt to attend college or play in the developmental leagues and earn a living.
Universities use students in order to make money for the trustees and administrators. The athletes who earn the money never see it. Then they get in trouble because someone pays them under the table. Most of the time, they need the money to live on while in school.
The answer is simple ..... pay the players .... not as university students but as minor league athletes.
The profitable sports should be taken away from the universities and the NFL and NBA should develop farm/minor league systems like baseball. Players could opt to attend college or play in the developmental leagues and earn a living.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Risk Rules .....
I’m not a trained economist or financial guru but I know our current American governments view of economics is fundamentally flawed. Since Ronald Reagan left office our philosophy has shifted from economic freedom to economic slavery.
It appears to me that career politicians saw their future at risk. With economic freedom in the hands of the average citizen, their political and financial future was at risk. How have the Washitonians reacted to this fear? They have slowly stolen our freedom and put it back in the hands of the government.
Make no mistake; this is not a liberal, democrat take-over. It has come from the conservatives as well. Both President Bush’s adopted this philosophy by using flawed economic principles to stimulate our economy. The only real way to stimulate our economy is to create an atmosphere of economic freedom where individuals seize the opportunity to assume risk at the hope of earning income.
Risk is the solid foundation of economic growth. Without risk, no one makes a move. People don’t take new jobs, move across the country, have a baby, but a house or start a business without assuming some form of risk. Risk moves our economy. When the government becomes involved with our ability and desire to assume risk, they choke our economic freedom and stall economic growth.
The government’s role should be that of a coach – give us an atmosphere that allows us to pursue our hopes, dreams and goals by allowing us to make the plays.
The Keynesian economic principles that both major political parties have subscribed to does not work. It is a myth to think that taxing during prosperous times and borrowing during recessions helps our economy. True economic growth and freedom come from individuals pursuing their dreams and goals without government intrusion by assuming the risk involved with the pursuit.
It appears to me that career politicians saw their future at risk. With economic freedom in the hands of the average citizen, their political and financial future was at risk. How have the Washitonians reacted to this fear? They have slowly stolen our freedom and put it back in the hands of the government.
Make no mistake; this is not a liberal, democrat take-over. It has come from the conservatives as well. Both President Bush’s adopted this philosophy by using flawed economic principles to stimulate our economy. The only real way to stimulate our economy is to create an atmosphere of economic freedom where individuals seize the opportunity to assume risk at the hope of earning income.
Risk is the solid foundation of economic growth. Without risk, no one makes a move. People don’t take new jobs, move across the country, have a baby, but a house or start a business without assuming some form of risk. Risk moves our economy. When the government becomes involved with our ability and desire to assume risk, they choke our economic freedom and stall economic growth.
The government’s role should be that of a coach – give us an atmosphere that allows us to pursue our hopes, dreams and goals by allowing us to make the plays.
The Keynesian economic principles that both major political parties have subscribed to does not work. It is a myth to think that taxing during prosperous times and borrowing during recessions helps our economy. True economic growth and freedom come from individuals pursuing their dreams and goals without government intrusion by assuming the risk involved with the pursuit.
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