Sticking With It

One of the things I tell salespeople during training is - If you get on the fence and crow like a rooster someone inevitably will throw a rock at you. So throw a rock if you feel inclined.

I've stuck with my New Years resolutions; at least for a month now. That's about 29 days more than any other year! So let me tell you...

I've written no less than an additional 73 pages in my book (almost 18,000 words). I'm still only 1/3 of the way to completion of the first draft but making progress rapidly. The story is starting to fill out and the characters are driving the plot. I've been reading a book that Marian gave me for Christmas titled "On Writing" by Stephen King; yes, THE Stephen King. I affectionately call him Steve. I'm always telling Marian, Steve said.." or "Last night Steve pointed out...". The book has been very helpful - Thank you Marian, and thank you Steve.

Anyway, Steve says... "When you let the characters drive the plot instead of the plot driving and confining the characters you'll have a better story." I proudly admit that my characters are driving the plot in my book. I know the basics of the story but I don't know how I'm going to get there yet. My characters keep telling me where it's going. I spent 3 hours the other night writing a scene about a battle between an Egyptian merchant ship, on which my characters are passengers, and some pirates in the Mediterranean Sea. Yes, Pirates! There were pirates then too. I did my research, which Steve says is critical. It turned out pretty good. COCKADOODLEDOOOOOO! First crow.

Marian and I embarked on a diet January 5th (like Marian needs to look better!) It has been helpful doing it together. It was a little difficult the other night watching Keegan eat Five Guys Burgers and Fries in front of us but we held firm. The scale said down 21 lbs. this morning even though I still look like Foghorn Leghorn. COCKADOODLEDOOOOOO! Second crow.

You can throw rocks now. NO more crowing.

I'm proud of myself for sticking with it. I am looking forward to a night off on my birthday. Is losing a total of 30 lbs. and writing 100 more pages possible by then? We'll see if I can Stick With It!.

Politics - NSFW

A friend of mine posted this quote on Facebook today;

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." - Martin Luther King

I don't want to write a political diatribe but I read the following today on MSNBC, and in honor of Dr. King I won't remain silent.

In the upstate city of Easley, the Rev. Brad Atkins, president of the South Carolina General Baptist Convention, has posted an email exchange on his church website with a local reporter on his objections to the LDS church. "Romney's Mormonism will be more a cause of concern than Gingrich's infidelity," Atkins wrote. Christians can forgive sin, the pastor said, "but will struggle to understand how anyone could be a Mormon and call themselves a Christian."

Are you kidding me! What incomprehensible ignorance! I am embarrassed for this man and offended. I think Martin Luther King would be offended. Excuse me, but I AM A MORMON! I believe in Jesus Christ. In fact, I belong to the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints", and I am a Christian!

I am truly amazed at the ignorance that remains about my faith. That being said, disqualifying people for being unfit for the Presidency based on their religion is not even a factor. Nor is being Jewish, Catholic, Black, Chinese or Hispanic. Martin Luther King's entire message to the world was obviously lost on you Mr. Atkins.

The Movies

Marian and I went to see Warhorse last night, Marian for her second time. She had seen it earlier in the week with Natalie. So I have completed viewing the "big movie" releases over the holidays (at least the ones I wanted to see); We Bought a Zoo, Mission Impossible, Sherlock Holmes, Warhorse. Marian commented on the way home from Warhorse last night, "And people still feel like they have to go to war!". I had the exact same thought during the movie. There are many stories and movies with a scene where the enemy meets in no-mans land. The scene is the same; they find a common element - "humanity". They shake hands then continue killing each other. I'll never understand war.

Having said that you probably want to know which was my favorite, which one I would go see again...drumroll..."We bought a Zoo"! It was the first movie we saw of the four but I have to admit not my first choice to see. We went between Christmas and New Years. I like Matt Damon and I liked the story, and if Scarlett Johansson happens to be in the movie, that's ok too. I read they are making another "Bourne" movie but Matt Damon has opted out. I won't have much interest in seeing that one. All the movies were unique and I enjoyed each one for different reasons. Each was thoroughly entertaining.

I am always curious about the origin of a movie. At the end of the movie I look in the credits for "based on the novel by...". Some movies are original screenplays. Others are based on TV shows, comic characters or inspired by true events. The ones that interest me the most are those based on novels. I always wonder if the author envisioned a movie as he/she wrote the story. Are the characters they create molded from real actors they feel could play the part if the book became a movie? I know as I write (create), a black and white movie plays in my head and I try to describe what I see. The interesting part is that the movie is constantly being edited, it goes in many directions before I choose a path by describing in writing what I see in my minds eye.

I would love to write a book that became a movie. How fun! But actually I would thrill in just writing a story that someone read and liked. Guess I need to cut this short and get back to my book. There's a great movie in the making..."Based on the Novel by Rick Black!" COOL!

Welcome 2012!

It's been far too long since I posted anything in this blog. It is time to resurrect so I am starting fresh.

You will see at the right the most monumental events. New Son-in-law, new Daughter-in-law, and new graduate. There are a lot of back stories to each of these but so much has happened since my last post that it is impossible to fill in all the gaps. In general the family is good. Everyone is healthy and happy.

My New Years resolution (besides the weight thing for the umpteenth time) is to finish my book. My goal is to have the manuscript ready for the "Old Mans" annual fishing trip to Panguitch Lake in July. I plan on passing out copies to some of my best friends and mentors and have them edit away, or at least read it and comment. I think it's a great story, but then again I am the author!

I am sure 2012 will provide plenty of fodder and humor to entertain me anyway. Your comments are always welcome even if it's "this article sucks!" That's OK. I want to dedicate most of my writing time to finishing the aforementioned book, so I can't promise how often I will write in here but I am rededicating myself. (As if there were thousands of readers anxiously awaiting my next written words - HA!)

This is still an exercise for me in creative writing; repeat -for me. Your attendance is optional.

~~~

I turn 59 next month...hummm!? Not quite sure how happy I am about that. Probably more happy than I will be next year when I turn 60. I guess I should be glad I am turning anything. Speaking of turning. That weight thing. Yes it's time, it's really time. I have foregone any thoughts of impressing people with my rippled muscles as I do chin-ups on the high bar in Venice Beach. Ain't gonna happen! I am just tired of impressing people how someone as large as me can actually squeeze into a restaurant booth. Fat people usually sit at the tables. There, I said it; fat people. "Hi my name is Rick and I am a fat person" -the first step. It's not a 12 week program it's a life change. The first milestone is a year, this is long term. Wish me luck and light candles in church for me (figuratively). Enough said about that.

Keegan, our youngest graduated from high school last spring. He is taking some time off school and working hard hoping to get into BYU's art program in the spring this year. My reason for mentioning that is the fact that the house chemistry has changed forever. We are blessed to see our kids frequently but there are a lot of evenings spent alone. We're entering that next phase of life. I can't believe how quickly it has come.

I had an idea for another book; that would be four books at some phase of progress. I need to at least write my thoughts down so I don't forget the premise but I am committed to finish one before I begin a fourth. I was laying in bed the other night when I started to think about all the stories I knew about my Dad and those I assume I know and can elaborate. I thought it would make an interesting book about two brothers growing up in San Diego in the 20's and 30's with a single Mom, then going off to war, returning to marry and start families blah blah blah. There you have it - premise. I think I can make my Dad more of hero than he already is to me. There would be considerable artistic license but I don't think he'll mind.

Signing off for now. Hope you'll join me next time. If not, the real joy for me is in the writing, not the reader reading.

MSNBC Headlines 5/19/10

Calderon condemns Arizona law on U.S. visit

Mexico’s president says policy ‘is forcing our people to face discrimination’

Sorry, I just get pissed sometimes!

What "people" are you talking about Mr. Calderon? The ones that left your sorry policies and country to seek out a better life? The criminals that are here illegally with their hand out? It's easier to come into America through a hole in the fence than fly from Salt Lake City to San Francisco. Think about it.

No Senor Calderon, we just discriminate against criminals. What do you do to criminals in Mexico? And YO Felipe, what about the rights of "OUR PEOPLE" ? I find it interesting that non-voting illegals are waving our constitution at us. Or do they get to vote now too? Maybe that's why Obama panders to them. Unlike the well informed, educated and appointed Mr. Eric Holder - current U.S. Attorney General, I have read both the Arizona law and the Federal law. Interesting how alike they are. How did you ever get through Law School without reading Mr. Holder? But I know "hearsay evidence" * holds up well in court. Yeah, right!

* Hearsay is information gathered by one person from another concerning some event, condition, or thing of which the first person had no direct experience. When submitted as evidence, such statements are called hearsay evidence. As a legal term, "hearsay" can also have the narrower meaning of the use of such information as evidence to prove the truth of what is asserted. Such use of "hearsay evidence" in court is generally not allowed. This prohibition is called the hearsay rule.

What incompetence!

This is the "Home of the Brave and the Land of the Free" ... "Give me your tired, your poor." I have no problem with that whatever the color of your skin. But sign up and register at the door. It's NOT OK that we as legal citizens are struggling in this economy and are forced to subsidize this situation. Why don't we try spending the millions of health care dollars spent on illegals on our own citizens that deserve it. That's true health care reform.

I've had bill collectors climb up my colon and camp because of overdue medical bills when we went through tough times. But now I get mail for a Gloria Torres three times a week. Mostly free offers for diapers and baby food. Apparently Senora Torres, or whoever the hell she really is, thought it was OK to give the hospital our address, along with other false information, after she had a baby. I wonder if the medical bill collectors will camp up her colon for the hospital bills she walked away from? I highly doubt it. You, my fellow citizens, will pick up the tab for that one and thousands more just like it.

Will we let 545 people (Senate, Congress and Supreme Court) drive a 300 million people country into the ground because they don't have the "huevos" to enforce existing laws for fear of losing votes? I say, "Vote them ALL out!". The majority rules here in a democracy, unless we don't speak up!

I'M SPEAKING UP!

The Ass Family... you gotta love this.

I was never a soldier... but I was young once.

I've just started reading this book. I've already cried twice. Vietnam tears my soul apart.

I remember in 1969 at the age of 16 going to the San Diego Airport with my sister to say goodbye and good luck to her boyfriend - a 26 year-old returned Mormon missionary - now Army Officer. Fresh from OCS, he was wearing his dress greens with a 1st Cavalry Division insignia on his shoulder. He had a smile on his face, sparkling blue eyes and orders in his briefcase - Destination; Vietnam.

It turned out to be more than a "goodbye". The next time I saw him was in a coffin. Same dress greens. No smile. No sparkling blue eyes. A landmine had taken his legs and his life. His name along with 50,000 others are engraved on the The Wall.
http://thewall-usa.com/info.asp?recid=44469 (click on "Personal Comments or Pictures" link from this page to see more)

Every time I see Marian's brother Mike I want to give him a bear hug and thank him. He was an Army river-rat, front-line infantry radioman. In his early twenties his Delta House days were traded for the Mekong Delta. Vietnam didn't take his legs nor his life but it took part of his light for many years. As good a guy as Mike is Vietnam took something forever away from Uncle Mike.

War is Evil. War comes from evil. War is darkness not light. There is only one person that smiles when good, young men and women on opposing sides kill each other.