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Previously known as blog.robertgeorgereoch.com, I’m still reformatting some old posts that were moved to this new site. (GoDaddy
eliminated their original blog platform and replaced it with this Word Press
version.)
Robert Reoch is Robert George Reoch
I’m Robert Reoch, aka author Robert George Reoch. I’ve written and published two volumes of short stories under the title, Travelers’ Shorts. If you enjoy variety, drama, and humor, you’ll enjoy my short stories, but keep coming here for stimulating blog entries too. The list of categories is to the right. I’ve got a mind to speak about nearly everything, although I don’t write every day. I rant, babble, and educate—and sometimes pontificate—when in the mood. That’s how we do on blogs.
Mind Pastry Name
I love to cook and bake. My other hobbies include music, travel, and physical fitness. I’m also one of those genius folk who think a lot. I bake and I think; hence the title, “Mind Pastry.” Again, I don’t post on this blog frequently. My everyday life is ordinary (and busy) and I enjoy spending my time living rather than documenting every burp and fart here. If you want that, go to Facebook.
That’s what’s on my mind, for now. I think I’ll bake something.
I love Boston, but I was raised in San Diego. And even though I enjoy the Boston winters, my other half sometimes needs a break from the snow—including
the biggest blizzard in Boston history. So, it’s my duty to go along peacefully when Joon decides we should fly to Miami
for a few days. Who’s complaining?
We went from this:
To this:
Ah-h-h. It was a nice visit to Miami, but I’m happy to be back in Boston too.
Kanye West Apologizes to Taylor Swift in Stream of Tweets on Twitter September 4, 2010
Kanye West at it Again Bashes Beck at Grammy Awards 2015
Kanye West
should try to remember lessons from his past instead of repeating them. Once again, at the Grammy Awards 2015, Kanye
rushed the stage, preparing to denounce award winner, Beck, then chickening-out, but later proclaiming that Beck
should have given his award to Beyonce. Wh-u-u-t?
Kanye West
proved he’s still a classless buffoon just as he was five years ago. How does a person become so full of themselves? How does a new family member become the most embarrassing of the Kardashians? How can that even be possible?
Kanye West Prior Apology to Taylor Swift on Twitter
Kanye
may need a reminder of what it means to have humility, even if it’s from himself. Here is the actual transcript taken directly from Twitter
in 2010. The first tweet shown (10:37 AM, Saturday, September 4, 2010) is the last tweet in this stream below. The tweets that follow are in sequence going backward, starting from the bottom and reading up. The entire stream of feeble tweets was about two hours long:
“I’m sorry Taylor.
It starts with this…
I want to win there hearts back so I can continue to bring my take on culture to the masses with a clean opinion.
I want to help starting with the music and ending with the smile.
I wish they could accept that I’ve grown and only want to do good for the world. I want to help as many people as I can.
I wish they all knew how much I really cared about music and pop culture and art and peoples feelings.
I wish I could talk to every hater face to face and change there a opinion of me one conversation at a time.
I’ve hurt, I’ve bled, I’ve learned. I only want to do good. I am passionate I am human I am real. I wish I could meet every hater
When I right songs like Heartless I always say “is this melody good enough to be a country song or a broadway song?”
TAYLOR LOVES RAP MUSIC… I LOVE COUNTRY MUSIC
Why was it made into such a race issue. Taylor loves rap music… I love country music.
There’s a layer of… Entertainment… we are entertainers and this is only TV… not the War
There’s a layer of… hey Kanye said what I was thinking . A year later where do we stand?
WHO BENEFITED FOR REAL PEOPLE???!!!!!!!!
Walk with me people… let’s break this down for real now. I might get in trouble again lol?
MTV? JAY LENO? BEYONCE? ALL FORMS OF MEDIA? TAYLOR? KANYE WEST? Who gained? Who lost?
You’ve got the Media play… Who benefitted off of the moment?
You’ve got a layer of… What is reality? You really want this guy to die over an award show???!! wooooooow …..
You’ve got a layer of order… this is how things are spose to go this is how it’s always been etc.
You’ve got a layer of order… this is how things are spose to go this is how it’s always been etc.
If I speak in 3rd person it’s because I’m quoting people sometimes I forget to put the quotations you know my grammar.. #ITSAPROCESS
You’ve got the top layer… Kanye’s rude!
Why are there so many tweets? Well this isn’t a simple subject. There are layers to this beyond me running on stage.
Humanity and Empathy are 2 of the 4 principles at facebook. Those were the 2 principles I was missing on that evening
These tweets have no manager, no publicist , no grammar checking… this is raw
It feels like the movie Heat when you wanted Deniro to make it… You want the bad guy to make it.
These aren’t regular tweets… this is stream of consciousness … I want you guys to know and feel where my head is at…
Beyonce didn’t need that. MTV didn’t need that and Taylor and her family friends and fans definitely didn’t want or need that.
I am not a bad person. Even in that moment I was only trying to do good but people don’t always need my help.
When I woke up from the crazy nightmare I looked in the mirror and said GROW UP KANYE … I take the responsibility for my actions
Yes I was that guy. A 32 year old child.
It is distasteful to cut people off as a general rule. What’s the point of dressing tastefully if I’m going to act the complete opposite?
With new found humility … who am I to run on stage? I would never ever again in a million years do that. Sorry to let you down.
The Wicked witch of the west basically is so convicted to tell her’ truth when she does it she is outcasted by society and turned WICKED
Who’s seen the play Wicked? I’ve seen it 4 times! Other than loving the music acting and costumes… it’s my story!!!
I have given my awards to other groups multiple times on national TV… They never showed that this past year during the massacre of Kanye
It’s not about race America. No one in our position ever stands up and says anything anymore.
I would have ran on stage for Justin that night because Sexy Back (in my mind) was that important… that impactful to our culture
I watched Justin Timberlake at the Grammies loose every televised award including album of the year which the Dixie Chicks won
I am responsible for those who love and represent me and what they have to deal with on a day to day defending “The American Psycho”
There are people who have named there kids after me… can you imagine that next day in school. Even though I don’t have kids…
I know there are family members friends and fans that have literally fought for me.
I’m ready to get out of my own way. The ego is overdone… it’s like hoodies
We’re both artist and the media and managers are trying to get between us. Everyone wants to capitalize off this is some way
She deserves the apology more than anyone. Thank you Biz Stone and Evan Williams for creating a platform where we can communicate directly
She had nothing to do with my issues with award shows. She had no idea what hit her. She’s justa lil girl with dreams like the rest of us.
I wrote a song for Taylor Swift that’s so beautiful and I want her to have it. If she won’t take it then I’ll perform it for her
Reply Retweet . I wear my scars… It’s almost like I have to where a suit to juxtapose my image and I won’t lie… IT WORKS!
People tweeted that they wish I was dead… No listen. They wanted me to die people. I carry that. I smile and take pictures through that
I’m the guy who at one point could perform the Justin Timberlake on stage and everyone would be sooo happy that I was there
…taking a 15 second blip the mdeia have successfully painted the image of the “ANGRY BLACK MAN’ The King Kong theory.
The media has successfully diminished the “receptive” audience of (3rd person)… KANYE WEST
I have a mission in life to bring truth and beauty through my music and the visuals that anchor around it
Some people say… Why worry about “the haters?” This is bigger that just the concept of haters.
If you google Asshole my face may very well pop up 2 pages into the search.
That’s when you realize perception is reality. I’ve been straying from this subject on twitter but I have to give it to you guys raw now.
I was chilling with this white girl having a conversation and she cut me off and said… Hold up… I thought you didn’t like us?!
There are people who don’t dislike me… they absolutely hate me!
Remember in Anchor Man when Ron Burgandy cursed on air and the entire city turned on him? But this wasn’t a joke. This was & is my real life
People booed when I would go to concerts and the performer mentioned my name.
Had to let employees go… for the first time I felt the impact of my brash actions … I felt the recession from an ownership side
How deep is the scar… I bled hard.. cancelled tour with the number one pop star in the world … closed the doors of my clothing office
With the help of strong will, a lack of impathy, a lil alcohol and extremely distasteful & bad timing … I became George Bush over night
Even though the NBC telethon was widely praised yall didn’t think they was just gone let me get away with that did yall???!!!
Some people’s truth is Kanye is racist… It’s not my truth but I do believe it’s my Karma…. walk with me…
When I say perception is reality I mean whatever you think is the truth… is your truth
I accept the idea (ideal) that perception is reality
Happy B day to sister B … I gotta dope ass gift for you.
Even now a lot of articles start there first 2 paragraphs about how much of an asshole I am
I feel like they were waiting for the opportunity to go in all the way on me and when it came they beat me to a pulp
They wanted yall to believe I was a monster in real life so you guys wouldn’t listen or buy my music anymore
Man I love Twitter… I’ve always been at the mercy of the press but no more… The media tried to demonize me…”
—Kanye West
(on Twitter)
Some things never change. A leopard doesn’t change its spots. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. So much for apologies.
The Great Beauty
(2014) Starring: Toni Servillo, Carlo Verdone, Sabrina Ferilli, Carlo Buccirosso
Director: Paolo Sorrentino
Enjoy The Great Beauty
for its rich cinematography. From interior lighting and camera angles to scenic outdoor panoramas, the filming and direction are superb. This is a reflective study that is best appreciated by a more mature, seasoned audience. Many of the characters are well beyond age 50.
A celebrated writer, aging Jep Gambardella (Toni Servillo), having written just one outstanding novel, drifts among his also aging society cronies in the monied enclaves of central Rome. We observe how they roll during a crossroads in many of their lives. The writing and dialogue are sophisticated, laced with pathos, and balanced with forgiving irony. A fascinating range of characters come to life through a solid cast of pros, drawing us straight into their world effortlessly. Slow, steady, rambling, and quite thought provoking. Visual gourmet.
Italian with English subtitles, heavy on dialogue.
Robert ReochRolling Thoughts
is just me
babbling when expressing myself won’t fit on Twitter. I’ll be adding to this same post over time.
October 22, 2014
Dear American Youth: Please read a self-help book on any topic. It will, at the very least teach you how to use your brain to accomplish something useful. Perhaps you might even avoid behaving badly like those fools that rioted in Keene, NH, during the annual Pumpkin Festival. What a bunch of douche bags. People with half a brain don’t pull this kind of shit—even if they get drunk. Only idiots riot out of boredom. Sad, stupid, no-common-sense morons. Like I said, please just read one self-help book on any topic. Try reading The Power of Positive Thinking, or Think and Grow Rich, or I’m Okay-You’re Okay.
Good luck. I hope you make it another year without injuring yourself, or someone else.
P.S. This is funny. I sound like a really old person. I’m getting there though. I’ve earned
this. pht-t-t!
Robert Reoch partakes of Waterfire 2014 in Providence RI
Robert Reoch at Waterfire 2014 in Providence RI
It was a mystical night in Providence, Rhode Island
for Waterfire 2014. Or maybe I should say, “mystifying” night—read baffling—in Providence… For more information about this unique event, visit: Waterfire.org.
Providence Rhode Island Gateway Arch Pine Cone
Providence RI, Federal Hill Gateway Arch Pine Cone
The Federal Hill Gateway Arch
has suspended from it a sculpture of a pine cone
(not pineapple). It’s the Italian symbol (La Pigna) representing welcome, abundance, and quality.
One of my bucket list items of late was to visit some of the Islands in Boston Harbor. We had a free afternoon and the weather was perfect, so we took a ferry to George Island. George Island is home to Ft. Warren, which was originally built to defend Boston Harbor from any type of naval attack. However, by the time it was completed it was obsolete and never used for its originally intended purpose. Instead, it was used to house Confederate prisoners of war during the Civil War.
Here are a few photos from our outing:
Robert Reoch inside Ft. Warren, George Island, Boston Harbor.
Robert Reoch
(that’s me) and long time partner (he’s Joon) recently spent a few days and nights enjoying the sunshine and warmth of Provincetown, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod. We stayed at the comfortable and stylish Provincetown Hotel at Gabriel’s. We enjoyed our stay there so much
that we’re planning to return again—much sooner than we had imagined before this memorable visit.
Traveling to Provincetown, we used all means of transportation to reach our destination. We began by taking the bus (which stops very close to our door) to the subway station, then after taking the subway from Harvard Station, we took the Gray Line bus to World Trade Center
downtown Boston.
It was then a brief walk to the pier where we boarded a fast ferry to Provincetown. Now that’s the way to go (instead of driving)!
Here are just a few photos from our trip:
At the Provincetown pier
Pilgrims Monument, Provincetown Massachusetts
At the Pilgrims Monument and Cape Cod Museum
At the top of Pilgrims Monument
At Herring Cove, northwest tip of the Cape
Herring Cove
“Tourists” statue on Commercial Street in Provincetown
Cookies
are my weakness. What better way to feed a sweet tooth than by baking them yourself. I’ve been collecting some great cookie cutters for months and finally found time to put them to use. You can use your favorite sugar cookie recipe to bake these. This summer, I came up with an idea to give my cookies a fruity summer twist. Yum!
The secret ingredients for my Summer Cookies
are cardamom
and groundcoriander seed. Also, for a refreshing fruity twist, I’ve added orange, lemon, and lime oils
to the mix—just a 1/4 teaspoon of each will do. Always use fresh ingredients (butter, eggs, and flour). Remember, when you bake cookies at home from scratch, it’s real food
with actual food value—even if they are a little high in calories and fat. Moderation is the key. It’s fun to decorate them too!
deCordova Sculpture Park Museum Visit by Robert Reoch
More Robert Reoch Images
A great way to spend a free day is by visiting the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum
in Lincoln, Massachusetts. On our second visit four years, it was delightful to see new exhibits on the beautiful outdoor sculpture park, as well as the indoor museum. Should you get hungry for a snack or a light lunch, the museum has a small cafeteria with some delicious menu items. The staff is personable and helpful. Now on with my photos. Here are just a few. It’s easy to see the lure of this gem hidden along the back roads of Lincoln, Massachusetts.
Just one area of the expansive outdoor sculpture gardens.
The museum rooftop terrace currently features works by Roberly Bell.
This Balloon artist kept several children (and adults) entertained.
That’s the museum rooftop terrace behind me, up the hill.
Hi folks! Just checking-in. I have a fairly idyllic life, but that doesn’t mean Robert Reoch
has time to write regularly. I abhor writing useless fodder just to take up space (like this). Who wants to read that?
Meanwhile, I’m still updating dozens of old posts that were transferred from my old blog. It’s a tedious process, but I don’t want to lose those earlier articles. I like to think that what I write has value.
Speaking of value, how about our president? Just when you think things couldn’t get any worse, our country is being invaded by children—by the thousands. Even this is too much for the Obama administration to handle expeditiously. But let’s give it some time…like Syria (and umpteen other crises too numerous to bore you with right now).
This past Saturday, Joon and I went strolling around the Boston Seaport area. There’s so much to see, one can make a day of it. There’s the Rose Kennedy Greenway, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, all the historic sites of Boston—the list goes on. Here are a few images from our Saturday.
Guess where this is?
It’s the Northern Avenue Bridge at Boston’s Seaport. See the bridge rotating open?
The Courthouse on Fan Pier
Along the Rose Kennedy Greenway
Ever strong in Boston, even at this construction site at Fan Pier.
Robert Reoch
measures, beats, and sometimes whips ideas to death. Welcome to “Mind Pastry,”
a bakery of thoughts from my mind to yours.
Robert Reoch is the Name
My last name, Reoch, is pronounced, Rē’–ŏck (rhymes with Reebok). That image of a piece of cake
floating among the palm trees in my page banner is a slice from a red velvet cake
that I actually baked! There’s more to Mind Pastry
than just the analogy, though. I actually love
pastry—and I bake it too!—but that’s another post.
Mind Pastry is Layered
I offer a dose of conscience
to the Internet
through many of my posts. I believe we have too many “reality TV” shows and deceptive news outlets in the media. Too often, issues are discussed from just one point of view in the news. Many pop “journalists” aren’t doing their homework. They aren’t getting out to the field to research their stories. Much of current reporting relies solely on popular social memes—mass hysteria, as I see it—rather than on verified facts and nuanced examination of the gray areas. Please, people, stop thinking only in black and white. Look for what’s in-between. Ask what is the back story you’re not getting from the media. I try to present layers and perspectives that encourage people to discover full truths. I live by three principles: Love, Truth, and Knowledge.
I resent journalism that ignores these values in favor of ratings and profit. I hope you find something new and thought-provoking in Mind Pastry.
Robert Reoch Writes
I’ve written a couple of books of short stories
under pen name, Robert George Reoch. I wrote my Travelers’ Shorts
books with the traveler in mind, even though my stories not
about travel. The idea was to provide short stories for the traveler who didn’t want to start a heavy novel. Short stories provide entertainment in manageable chunks for the person on the go. My short stories are written with taste and richness (just like pastry). These epic tales offer drama, adventure, and laugh-out-loud humor. You can order
them here:
Donald Sterling
is fighting back, which doesn’t surprise me (and also pleases me). It’s been in the news, including NBC. I anticipated this eventuality weeks ago. While I supported Donald Sterling, everyone else was jumping down his throat. Why? Am I and Donald Sterling the only people on the planet who are being intellectually honest in all of this? I’ve always believed Sterling was set up. I listened carefully to the audio recording of his conversation with V. Stiviano
as she spoke—including her referring to her friends as, “my black friends.” I listened as Sterling responded to Stiviano’s goading—he using her
very own words to mock her when he used the phrase, “your black friends.” He was irritated and made to feel jealous by Stiviano’s game. He was feeling defensive and mocking her in frustration.
Another angle used by the media to generate fury concerned when Sterling was speaking of Magic Johnson. Sterling was not speaking of the entire black community, as CNN
fiercely and inaccurately characterized it. It was quite clear in Sterling’s audible remarks that he was solely referring to Magic Johnson
when he made comments calling into question Mr. Johnson’s promiscuous character and behavior.
By observing closely what was actually said, and the intent in which the comments were made, it becomes quite clear—and very specifically so—that the media twisted the truth and distorted the bent of Sterling’s words. They channeled certain comments with a laser focus toward making Sterling appear to be a seething racist. The distortion was deliberate and damaging. Reasonable minds cannot conclude otherwise.
A man’s expressions of disapproval about a few individuals in his girlfriend’s circle of friends does not make him a racist, even if he used his girlfriend’s own words to describe said friends as being black. To call that being racist is a huge stretch and yet we observed a wave of mass hysteria, manufactured by the media, grow into a mountain of ill will and hate toward Donald Sterling. Every news station in the country followed this tack. How can so many people slurp up this slop so readily? Freedom of speech was never intended to be used as cover for fraud and malice. This country has acquired a taste for Reality TV that glorifies people behaving badly. Producers save money by not paying for quality programming, instead broadcasting shows with amateur idiots and hostile losers. People have been eating it up for years now. If they can act like that on TV, why can’t we be that way at school? Bullying has become sport for some, to the point that we now need national campaigns to combat bullying in our schools. That’s another topic entirely, although it parallels the Donald Sterling situation.
CNN and TMZ Could Be Sued Too
CNN
and TMZ
likely will have a field day with Donald Sterling
again as this next legal saga unfolds. Perhaps they’ll back off for fear of being sued too. If Donald Sterling’s case against the NBA
goes to court (even though Adam Silverman, NBA Commissioner, says it would amount to Sterling suing himself) I would expect a reasonable opinion to favor Donald Sterling. I hope he is vindicated. Perhaps if Sterling cannot legally sue the NBA, he’ll go after Adam Silverman in a civil suit for his venomous attacks in the media.
I have no affiliation with Donald Sterling personally, but even when it’s unpopular, I have great respect for truth and knowledge. I have no patience for the mob mentality, nor the dishonest media that trample individual rights, defying common decency. How did CNN become as undignified as TMZ? It’s all about ratings and money, naturally. It’s the same old story. It’s also unconstitutional.
I say, good luck, Mr. Sterling, with your case. I’ll be watching with interest. The media machine has no common sense these days—let alone common decency. I hope you gain back whatever of your reputation you can salvage. If it means suing and taking their money, more power to ya. That’s the best way to extract justice from an irresponsible media and their advertisers. Hit ’em in their wallets, where it hurts. Ironically, they’ve actually made you a whole lot richer after this forced sale of The Clippers. I guess we’ll see how this all comes out in the wash. I’m sure the media will continue to flaunt it like dirty laundry, the preferred grist of much of their audience.
I know this may sound snarky to those who are accustomed to relying on the media to do their thinking for them, This is how I see it though—looking at the facts with clear eyes and thinking with common sense and a measure of human understanding.
Donald Sterling Update June 10, 2014
I’m pleased to mention that as of this writing Donald Sterling
is going forward with his lawsuit against the NBA. For further details, read this concise and accurate article on AOL. Comments posted after the article heavily favorDonald Sterling and support his decision
to take action against the NBA for trampling his rights.
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Robert Reoch Visited the 911 Museum and 911 Memorial During Memorial Day Weekend
Robert Reoch, that’s me, aka Robert George Reoch took the train from Boston
to New York City
this past Memorial Day Weekend
with his long time partner Joon. We stayed at the elegant Conrad (Hilton) hotel in Battery Park. We had a fabulous view and were just steps away from the 911 Museum
and 911 Memorial. I’ve included a few photos in this post.
New York Memorial Day Weekend:
We won’t be base jumping this.
The Freedom Toweralso known as One World Trade Center,
up close, seems smaller than any one of the original twin towers of the World Trade Center. In fact, the overall square footage is less, and it has fewer floors than either of the original towers. I found it underwhelming.
Remnants from an original tower reach upward toward the Freedom Tower.
From inside the 911 Museum, these remnants from one of the original World Trade Center
towers seem to be reaching toward the new Freedom Tower
outside.
Reflections on the Brooklyn Bridge
Here I am trekking over the Brooklyn Bridge Promenade
(above). Reflected in my wicked awesome shades, notice Joon snapping the photo, and the distinctive architecture of the span.
Freedom Tower Topper: Antenna or Minaret?
Who designed the antenna? Intellectual honesty says it resembles strongly a Minaret.
Seeing the Freedom Tower
up close for the first time, I am struck by the appearance of the antenna
atop. If I’m being intellectually honest, the antenna clearly resembles that of a minaret
(see left image above), which is the traditional tower on a Muslim mosque from where Muslims are called to prayer. I cannot possibly be the only person who has noticed this with concern. Is this structure complete as it is? Are they perhaps planning to streamline it with some type of architectural covering? Is it intended to resemble a minaret by design? What is the story here? I have been researching and have not yet found the answer. Apparently, a few separate creative entities have combined and cooperated to design and construct the antenna. I will continue to investigate and provide updates when I learn more. I’d love to be able to shed some light on this.
911 Memorial and Museum
I have a couple of final thoughts at this writing. The 911 Memorial
with its World Trade Center Towers’
square-footprint-shaped pools of water cascading into a seemingly bottomless pit are a tad depressing. The water ultimately rushes down into those massive dark square holes in the center of each of the two pools. It evokes a sadness, even an echo of horror and loss, as though the victims are being drawn down into an abyss. Perhaps that is the intent, or maybe not. That’s just my impression.
The
911 Museum, on the other hand, is well thought-out. It pays tribute to victims in all three sites where jetliners were crashed due to the actions of radical Muslim terrorists. The remnants on display in the museum and the multimedia displays do well to convey the subject matter thoughtfully and with due respect.
Until next time, my deepest sympathies to victims, friends, and families of those lost on 9/11.
This goes to me. It’s that simple.
The theory of seed money says that if you give away money, it will come back to you tenfold. You must believe in it for it to work.
Donald Sterling‘s private conversations, perhaps illegally recorded, didn’t convinced me he’s a racist. CNN
hopes they did. Many people didn’t listen closely enough to the recording and subsequent interviews that revealed Sterling’s comments
reflected a mode of conversation established by mistress, V. Stiviano, who liked to refer to her friends as “my black friends,”
which Sterling
merely repeated back to her, for the effect of mocking her, by saying “your black friends.” He only used that phrase to mirror how Stiviano
herself refers to some of her friends who are black. Perhaps Stivano
believed she was making Sterling
jealous (and thereby keeping power over him) by throwing her “my black friends”
in his face. She found she could make him look bad too (and probably make some money) with a recording of him repeating her phrase. It worked. Sterling was angry and jealous about her hanging out with much younger famous men and Stiviano
recorded it, stringing him along to be sure he picked up on her phrasing. However, it wasn’t about her friends being black. It just so happens most of the NBA
crowd are black, but we are talking about the friends Stiviano commonly referred to as her black friends.
Sterling’s Comments on Magic Johnson Portrayed as Racist by Anderson Cooper
Sterling’s
comments about Magic Johnson
did not insinuate Johnson was bad because he was black. In that part of the interview, Sterling was commenting on Johnson’s
promiscuous (bad) behavior,
saying that his behavior likely caused Magic Johnson
to contract HIV. That’s not being racist.
Sterling also commented (although it may have been inaccurate) that Magic Johnson
didn’t do much for the African American community. He was specifically speaking about Magic Johnson only, at that point. Yet, Anderson Cooper
then twisted Sterling’s words by responding, “So, you’re saying African Americans
don’t do anything for the African American
community?…” That was a glaring example of Cooper flat-out twisting the truth. The topic of conversation in that moment had been on Magic Johnson, yet Anderson Cooper
made it sound as though Sterling was speaking derogatory of the entire African American community. It was low of Anderson Cooper
to take advantage of elderly Sterling in that way in an interview seen on national television. Sterling was flummoxed and confused by what Anderson Cooper
did. One could see in his face, how incredulous Sterling after Cooper misstated him. He was struggling to make sense of Cooper’s slanted comment about the African American Community
when the topic had been Magic Johnson. Cooper had bullied and blindsided the old man in the midst of trying to explain himself. Then Cooper continued to bait Sterling into discussing Magic Johnson even further, even though Sterling had already said early on in the interview that he didn’t want to talk about Johnson.
CNN Seized the Opportunity to Demonize Sterling as a Big Bad Racist
CNN
jumped at the opportunity to misconstrue Sterling’s recorded comments to paint him as a racist demon, all to increase viewership and cause a sensation. CNN
took a bone and chewed it up for ratings. White guilt and an unwitting public did the rest. CNN
relied on people not looking more closely at the entire story. They know that the noble masses love to be indignant and to hate big bad racists. Trouble is, nobody knows what a racist
is these days. They can’t even see when CNN is manufacturing one for their own benefit. It’s just a stupidly overused word. Just because someone doesn’t like you, or feels threatened by you, doesn’t give you the right to call them racist
and in this case cause a huge legal uproar. I’m glad Donald Sterling
is fighting back. He actually tried to apologize for the way he was misunderstood, even when he really shouldn’t have had to. Anderson Cooper
made an effort to sidetrack him into rambling about Magic Johnson
to be sure that people only focused on the bad comments about Johnson. It’s dishonest, unfair, and certainly not balanced, CNN. Incidentally, CNN conveniently did not mention any of the legal problems some of Magic Johnson’s charities have gotten into. CNN, your epic fail is already causing a lot of people a lot of trouble for your having stirred up all this racism crap. The NBA
commissioner, Adam Silver, even got into a monumental hissy fit over this, for nothing, and now he’s going to have to work this overtime too.
Pay Attention. Read between the lines when CNN hypes a story using Racism.
Beware if you see Sunny Hostin
or Don Lemon
on your television screen. There’s bound to be hysterics and venom about racism
spewing from these moronic talking heads. They do more harm than good. It’s toxic. They perpetuate stereotypes and create undue sensitivities about racism that don’t belong. It’s all for position and ratings. Their target is always white people. It’s the pot calling the kettle black. I’m still scratching my head wondering how Anderson Cooper
missed the mark on this story too…by a mile.
Vladimir Putin Revives the Cold War by Invading Ukraine
Yes, the Cold War
has been resurrected with a vengeance
as Vladimir Putin
invades and annexes the state of Crimea
in The Ukraine. The rest of the world reacts as though being rubbed inappropriately on the subway–lots of indignant gasps and admonitions, but nobody’s doing anything about it.
Watch as Putin
continues his rapid campaign. Don’t be surprised if he takes even more territory while the coast remains clear. So far, he’s been met with no boots on the ground resistance. Does anyone really think a group of U.N. Observers
is going to accomplish anything? It’s like having the local Ladies Club to go over to scold a gang that’s moved into their hood. Putin isn’t even buying his
own bullshit, but everyone else is. It’s ridiculous the way Putin’s army keeps turning away the U.N. folks at gunpoint.
Vladimir Putin Makes a Grab for Crimea under False Pretext
Vladimir Putin
is striking while the iron is hot and nobody’s standing in his way. It’s like a high-speed car chase where the police have broken off pursuit (although nobody’s even really tried to chase out Russia’s unmarked army). It doesn’t exist, right? Vladimir Putin
says so, therefore it must be true. He says all of those soldiers are merely ethnic RussianUkrainian
locals supposedly protecting Russian Ukrainians
from persecution at the hands of western Ukrainians. The rest of the world is being played while Soviet thugs take over Crimea. That’s what Soviets do. That’s our good old Cold War come back to haunt.
Given the rapid pace at which the Russian Army has deployed uncontested, look for Putin
to grab even more. Soon, he’ll be occupying the rest of the Ukraine. His eyes are likely on a few other Post-Soviet
states as well. I presume most people see the situation for what
it really is, despite U.S. television covering heavily the so-called diplomatic efforts by President Obama
and Secretary ofState, John Kerry. One thing is certain: nobody is speaking Soviet
to Putin
except Putin
to himself.
Alternate Answer for Pro-Soviet Crimeans
Perhaps Ukrainian
and European
leaders could urge pro-Soviet Crimeans
to leave the Ukraine
and move to Russia. After all, Putin
already wants to give them Russian citizenship. Why don’t we agree with Putin and allow him to “save” them by taking them in–in Russia?
Yes,
“audio terrorism“
is a thing. In Tampa, Florida
and in other communities, they want to make it illegal. Audio terrorism describes the impact on the public when excessively loud music emanates from a passenger vehicle using a highly amplified sound system. Some of the immediate effects on the surrounds are the obvious noise, as well as rattling of windows and mirrors in other drivers’ vehicles. Coupled with safety concerns are health risks. In addition to having their windows and mirrors rattled, those exposed to extraordinarily high decibels experience raised blood pressure and a temporary rush of adrenaline. Hearing is also impaired. These symptoms were claimed to have been experienced by Michael Dunn
when he was confronted with a vehicle occupied by four teenagers whose blasting music had Dunn feeling a sense of being under attack. This is how it gets to be known as audio terrorism.
Unfortunately, Dunn’s request to the teenagers to turn down the music, and the response that followed, resulted in a confrontation and the death of Jordan Davis, who was one of the occupants of the vehicle emitting loud music. Some would say that Dunn should simply have moved his vehicle away from the noise. Others believe the public has a right to airwaves free of excessively loud music that causes physical and mental harm to those nearby. Few have been willing to discuss the actual physical and mental impact that occurs in the presence of sudden exposure to extreme sound decibel levels from a nearby vehicle. Instead, most people focus on the resulting confrontation and tragic death of Jordan Davis. It takes a more analytical mind to dissect the full of the situation. In a civilized society, we still need to define what civil behavior is. As technology and access to it create new areas where sensitivity is needed, we must continually redefine what is acceptable public behavior. This ongoing process is often neglected.
In the case of Jordan Davis’ having been shot, CNN
television personalities Don Lemon
and Sunny Hostin
have cried for weeks that Michael Dunn
pulled out his gun entirely out of dislike of loud music, and because of race (the teens were black). It seems it’s always about race with Sunny Hostin
unless the perpetrator is black, in which case she has nothing to say. Don Lemon
endlessly oversimplifies this case, on national television, to the insult of millions with an ounce of intelligence. CNN had hung Michael Dunn out to dry long before there was a trial.
They had invested a lot in his guilt. This narrow focus is exactly what perpetuates animosity and bigotry in this country. It’s certainly not fair and balanced.
Another crucial reason for cracking down on “audio terrorism” in Florida is the threat it poses to public safety. If a vehicle’s driver blasts music at 125 decibels while an emergency vehicle is attempting to pass, neither that driver nor other drivers in the vicinity can hear clearly the siren of the emergency vehicle. The drowning sounds from an amplified audio system present a serious safety hazard for all concerned. Keep in mind; these factors impact the driver and passengers in his vehicle with far greater impact and impairment as well.
The Michael Dunn
case is more complex than just loud music. Allegations exist of threats beyond the music, which led to gunfire. These factors are still being worked out in the courts. Michael Dunn
was recently convicted of attempted manslaughter for shooting at the vehicle occupied by the teenagers. The goal of the anti audio terrorist measures
is to expand existing laws pertaining to excessive noise and disturbing the peace. As a society, it seems we’ve reached an unfortunate point of actually needing to enforce being civil to one another, even when it comes to how loudly we play our music while in proximity to others. To me, it’s just common sense. I was taught to respect the space of others while out in public. Playgrounds are for children to scream and holler to their hearts’ content. The public streets should not be an adult battleground for the right to hear oneself think.
In Florida, they aim to quash audio terrorism. Any stereo that can be heard 50 feet, or more, from a vehicle has now been outlawed in Pinellas County and in Sarasota where fines can be imposed. A new Tampa ordinance
was preliminarily passed in March 2013. Under the draft, first-time violators would get a $250 ticket, $400 for a second offense. The third offense could mean a $500 fine and/or 60 days in jail. The city council voted 6-1 in favor. The ordinance is welcomed by fed-up citizens who say it’s been long overdue.
Yes, audio terrorism
is a thing. It’s deadly serious too.
CNN Ignores Full Facts Including Audio Terrorism in Favor of Playing Race Card
Of course, a few pawns at CNN
inject robust decibel levels
of racism
as being the main issue in the Michael Dunn
case, while ignoring the full picture. Sunny Hostin
and Don Lemon
are always on the same sad note about “white privilege”
versus black profiling
rather than using complex reasoning. Jeffrey Toobin
(another CNN sounding board) echoes Hostin
and Lemon, backing their bigotry with ardent sincerity to boost ratings. On a recent panel show on CNN, in speaking of the Michael Dunn
case, Jeffrey Toobin
said, “This was a case about a kid killed because he was black.”
This was quickly followed by Sunny Hostin
chiming in, “Well said!”
Those are direct quotes. How do you simplify it down to race so readily? Ratings.
So, that’s all CNN
gets from this? I’ve never seen so-called journalists project such narrow views. They seem incapable of examining complex layers. Don Lemon
is practically giddy with sophomoric angst about the plight of the victimized black man. Wake up and smell the coffee, Don. The
Civil Rights Movement
was actually a thing too. Affirmative Action
has come and gone with decades spent deferring white persons’ “privileges” in preference of conferring favor to minorities, regardless of abilities. There’s still more work to do in the scheme of things. What did we get for all of those sacrifices? We’ve lost a lot of traction in education and productivity in this nation, but we have the first black president in history. Now, please recognize that this wailing and flailing arms about race
does nothing but perpetuate a climate of racism. It has to stop. Younger folks won’t recall this, but during the 70s and 80s there actually was
a period when racial harmony
was coming together and this nation was less divided than it is right now.
How about a little balance, CNN? A good audio technician knows how to adjust the balance and tweak the equalizer. A true audiophile knows that playing music too loudly only distorts and ruins it. Shouting racism at every turn results in the same undesirable distortion and loss of harmony.
It’s time to grow up and help fix the problems within our communities, not continuously cry racism while missing the rest of the notes. Try changing your tune and being part of the solution.
Television Journalists Need to Set an Excellent Example
We need a better example from the journalists at CNN. This recent shooting case was not just about loud music. Firing a gun while in an agitated state is just one layer of the Michael Dunn, Jordan Davis
story. (Is this another strong argument for gun control?) Did you talk about that between rants of racism? The affects of music so loud that everyone’s blood pressure goes up is another aspect. Did you look at it from that perspective? Applying the law objectively is another facet. It’s not just about race. It’s about a jury and a fair trial. Try using more complex reasoning for a change, Sunny Hostin and
Jeffrey Toobin. Don’t just dismiss this as being a case solely about race. That’s just irresponsible, at best. Stop acting so naive, Don Lemon. Consider the effects on everyone involved when it comes to excessively loud music (the phenomenon also known as audio terrorism). Who cares if it was rap? Nobody fires a gun just because they don’t like the choice of music. Just because Michael Dunn mentioned rap and thugs, do you make that the entire case? What was the behavior of all of those involved? I found it interesting that the problem of audio terrorism has been an ongoing problem in Florida for a while. It’s real. I’m not saying it was the root of this case, but I’m not dismissing anything, unlike CNN.
Echoes of George Zimmerman Case
Finally, if and when Michael Dunn
is tried a second time for the murder of Jordan Davis, I would suggest that the jury be given the benefit of a full re-enactment of the crime with as much realism as is possible based on the evidence and descriptions from actual witnesses. I would like to see a re-creation using the same decibel levels of sound, and the same music that was playing at the time of the incident. I suggest the jurors experience the sound levels both from the inside the teens’ vehicle, as well as the sound levels and vibrations felt from inside Michael Dunn’s vehicle. If this demonstration is permitted (considering some jurors may not want to subject their ears to possible damage), the jurors who participate will get a clearer sense of how the entire situation evolved and the true impact of the “loud music” and the role it played in the confrontation. If anything, this could be a valuable lesson going forward. I predict, however, that the State of Florida may have not learned how to choose their battles. This could well go the way of the George Zimmerman
case.
I’ll keep this Valentine’s Day
advice
simple: If you plan to please your someone special, do it in a way that makes them feel special. It’s not about making yourself look good. Rather, you want to do something that your sweetheart will appreciate. It doesn’t need to be expensive or elaborate. Just put a little thought into it. You can do it.
I baked another Birthday Cake
for Joon this year. This birthdaycake
has pockets of soft chocolate fudge swirled inside each of the two layers, plus a rich chocolate butter cream frosting. That’s love, man. Ha!
Happy Birthday Joonyo!
I’ve really been getting into baking over the last few years. It’s a lot of fun, but it takes an investment of time and love (and using the right tools). Anyone can learn. Just remember this one important rule about baking: Measure, measure, measure. You can’t mess around with recipe proportions. Also, don’t substitute ingredients like baking soda for baking powder, or powdered sugar for regular sugar. It just doesn’t work that way. I’ve learned a ton about baking by watching Martha Stewart
videos on TV too. She is the best
at explaining all the tricks.
Robert Reoch Offers Perspective as Students Rally Against French Consul General for “Bum Rap”
Crime in Dorchester, Roxbury, and Mattapan is Topic in Boston Globe
I was recently privileged to have had another letter published in the Boston Globe. It never occurred to me to share this stuff on my blog, but that’s what blogs are for, right? This public discussion concerns a meeting with students from the Codman Academy
Charter Public School
in Dorchester, MA, who invited the French consul general, Fabien Fieschi, to visit with them that they may ask him to remove negative travel advisories to French tourists that depict their communities as being dangerous. The French consul general did not relent, however. He politely informed that his job is to protect and represent his fellow fellow citizens of France through unbiased travel warnings. I wrote to the Boston Globe
to show my agreement with the consul general and to share my objective observations since moving to Boston from San Diego over ten years ago. My published letter follows below. Read more on the Boston Globeweb site.
Robert Reoch Boston Globe Letter
Re
“C’est la vie in Dorchester” (Metro, Jan. 16): The idealism and naiveté of the students of Codman Academy Charter Public School
are what spur progress. I appreciate their community pride. However, I cannot help but agree with the view held by Fabien Fieschi, consul general of France, that the communities of Dorchester, Roxbury, and Mattapan
have earned a bad rap.
When I moved from San Diego
to Boston
more than 10 years ago, I put a map of the Boston area on my wall to help me familiarize myself with the area. I used my map to locate stores and restaurants I’d seen in TV ads, or to identify communities from which news stories had come. I was finding my way around. Within three months, I realized that nearly all of the crime
being reported was coming out of the same three neighborhoods: Dorchester, Roxbury, and Mattapan.
Ten years later, this same observation is reinforced daily. Those same neighborhoods continue to be areas where innocent people are victims of gang- and drug-related crimes. Most of the violent crimes occur at night, though recently they’ve occurred in broad daylight.
Just as visitors welcome warnings about dangerous cliffs overlooking certain beaches, they also want to know how to stay out of harm’s way by avoiding any major city’s known crime areas. It’s common sense.
People outside of Boston, even outside of this country, make objective observations without the sentiment of community pride. We should pay attention.
I hope the bright students at Codman Academy
take forward a goal to effect change within their communities, not just in spirit, but in reality.
We tried the new restaurant, Beat Hotel, in Harvard Square last night.
I should blog more often. I’m lazy and lead an uncomplicated life. Be jealous. We do like to dine out a few times a month. I love hopping on the bus to Harvard Square. It’s only minutes away, so we don’t need to drive there. Tonight we tried a new restaurant called, Beat Hotel. For your edification, I’ve copied my Yelp review here. I hope, as you begin this second month of 2014, that your life is going smoothly and you’re enjoying good health. I’ll try to blog more often. Here’s my restaurant review:
Beat Hotel Restaurant
Although this was a disappointing first visit, I wouldn’t call it a total disaster. The atmosphere is inviting and wide open, softly lit and comfortable. The service was excellent, although the friendliness felt just slightly forced (fierce smiles). Here’s what we had and how it rated:
Two Appetizers: The Smokey Chipotle BBQ Spare Ribs
were tender, flavorful, and fall off the bone easy to eat. Perhaps they could have been a bit more spicy (more heat), but we loved them! The Crispy Tuna Springrolls were excellent too. One large roll was sliced in half on the diagonal. The wraps were light and crunchy, the tuna and greens inside were fresh, and the sauce complemented well. Very well executed.
Two Entrees:
The FAROE ISLAND SALMON with Cous Cous,Lentils, Spinach, and Carrot Miso Puree
was okay. The salmon was cooked properly. Most of the flavor was in the skin, but that’s fine. My dining companion enjoyed it, however the accompanying cous cous was undercooked and tasted of uncooked pasta.
The SKIRT STEAK with Frites, Peppercorn Jus, and Pickles
was heinous. I believe skirt steak should not be on the menu if you aren’t familiar with its characteristics and how to prepare it. I ordered mine cooked MEDIUM because I know skirt steak can be stringy. Preparing it rare can be
disastrous. You can go medium rare if you marinate it and season it properly and then slice it with the grain into serving size pieces. Unfortunately, my skirt steak was prepared blood rare and served as one large piece plopped smack atop of a large pile of thinly sliced
undercooked very brown potatoes (frites). I struggled cutting the stringy steak. It had a minimum of seasoning. After a bite or two, I lifted the steak off the pile of potatoes and put it aside to try the potatoes. (Why did they plate the steak on top of the potatoes anyway?)
Trying to cut into a potato slice, my steak knife had a tougher time than with the steak. The potato was like leather. I was baffled. I chewed on a piece of potato. It was definitely undercooked and saturated in grease, which made it rubbery—really
rubbery. I do not exaggerate. I had to stop trying after poking a few more potatoes with my fork and
knife and not being able to pierce them. What did they do to them?
After the nice appetizers, my skirt steak plate was a sad let down. I didn’t love the steak. I couldn’t eat the potatoes. They transformed them into something that bore no resemblance to potatoes. There was no white potato flesh to be found. Thin, brown slices of rubbery ick. (Okay, I’ll stop.) I shared my skirt steak with my dining companion, but it was slow work chewing on that. Our server stopped by soon after we were served and I pointed out that my steak was rare instead of medium, as I had ordered. She offered to take it back, but I declined because experience has taught me that sending back food is an exercise in futility. Restaurant food rarely comes back quickly, or improved, once you’ve sent it back. Besides, don’t you worry they might get a little funky with it?
As our plates were being cleared, I explained my disappointment to a friendly bus person who promised to pass along my comments. Soon after, the concerned manager came and listened with great patience as I explained my dissatisfaction with my entrée while at the
same time heaping praise on the appetizers. The manager explained that the restaurant is new and the kitchen was just trying out the potato dish. She expressed genuine interest in my feedback about the skirt steak and the frites, and she made every effort to make us feel valued. She also offered to pay for my entrée, which I felt was the right thing to do. It wouldn’t be fair to ask me to pay $24 for what was served to me. Including our appetizers and sodas, our bill (with the one entrée
taken off) was about $75. We tipped well for the excellent service.
I’ll conclude by saying the vibe at this restaurant is very good. By the way, they have live music entertainment and plenty of bar seating as well as dozens of dining tables. The food
needs to follow suit in order to generate repeat business. Nothing should leave the kitchen that wouldn’t delight a patron. I would not discourage anyone from trying Beat Hotel
for dinner. (For now, just take a cue from what I ordered and hopefully you’ll “skirt” any
disappointment.)
Halloween
images are colorful and spooky, but not as scary as real life these days. Boo!
Here are a few of my Halloween
decorations at home. We’ve been collecting for years.
Decorate for Halloween. It’s fun!
Another Halloween Haunted House.
Notice the Peanuts
characters?
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Robert Reoch Visits Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam
Robert Reoch August 2013 Travel in Pictures
We took another vacation, Joon and I. We began in Paris, France
this time. We also visited Brussels, Belgium, and Amsterdam, The Netherlands. It was an eye-opening and exhausting-in-a-good-way experience. We covered lots of ground including some of the great museums (The Louvre, in Paris, the Van Gogh
museum in Amsterdam, and several others). More bucket list items are now checked off. I feel richer for having made the the journey and covered an amazing lot of area.
Below are selected photos from the thousands we snapped. The great thing about the digital age is not having to worry about using up all your film. Now it’s about keeping a big enough memory chip on hand, but we were well equipped. The photos tell the story. I won’t bore you with too many details.
Paris, France
The strobe lights flashing on the Eiffel Tower at night.
At the bottom.
To get to the top, you have to start at the bottom.
At the top.
At the top of the Eiffel Tower.
Love locks on a bridge over the Seine.
This is apparently becoming a weighty problem… c’est la vie.
The gardens at Versailles.
The Hall of Mirrors at Versailles.
Inside the Palace at Versailles.
Outside of the Louvre in Paris.
Heading in to the most famous museum in the world.
The most photographed thing in the world and still smiling.
Not exactly how you pictured her, eh?
Brussels Belgium
Belgium is lovely.
The peeing boy statue, “Manneken Pis” (making piss?)
This kid really has to go…
Galeries Royales Saint Hubert in Belgium. (It’s a mall.)
There’s lots of chocolate to found here. (Waffles too.)
Amsterdam The Netherlands
Everywhere these canals enchant. So serene.
This is why the people of The Netherlands are among the happiest in the world. They’re smart, they’re serene. Maybe it’s what they smoke. (I think it’s in the water.)
Robert Reoch Amsterdam
Revelers in the Red Light District of Amsterdam. It’s all here.
SOS Safely Obtaining Sobriety. Become sober on your own terms without meetings or guilt.
This SOS
book provides the modern approach for attaining sobriety and keeping it. You do this on your own terms
without the negative impact that many rehabilitation programs impose.
With SOS
you have a positive alternative
to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
and rehabilitation clinics. Written by a fully recovered former alcoholic, George Legacy, you get a wealth of information relating to alcohol dependency, alcohol addiction, and recovery. It’s all in one simple book written by an expert with decades of real experience. This uncomplicated plan
works safely and quickly! After years of struggling and trying various programs, George Legacy
used his own insight to put together a fool proof plan for getting sober and staying sober without all the shame and guilt of conventional, ineffective programs. George Legacy
gives you the modern approach. It’s timeless. It will work for anyone for years and years to come.
SOS
is the AA Alternative. This is the way to attain sobriety without institutions. There is no shame or guilt, and no religious affiliations. Explore this site. Click on any of the images for ordering. This book costs very little–far less than the thousands of dollars one might easily waste on institutionalized treatment. You can beat alcohol addiction on your own terms. This really works! The author has been sober for over six years, as of this writing.
SOS Safely Obtaining Sobriety. Become sober on your own terms without meetings or guilt.
Joon and I spent a few days in the town of Chatham
on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. We’ve been to the Cape in the past, visiting Hyannis
and Provincetown
on two previous trips. This time we did the “elbow” for a different perspective.
We stayed at the beautiful “Captain’s House Inn,” which turned out to be one of the finest guesthouses at which we’ve ever had the pleasure of staying. I could go on at length about the comfortable rooms, lush grounds and gardens, and the delicious breakfasts. Take my word, it’s worth every penny.
We toured the area by car. We also enjoyed a few strolls down Main Street in Chatham. We hiked along the shore at Monomoy Wildlife Refuge
and snapped photos of the lighthouse and driftwood. You don’t have to go far to find interesting things to see and do.
We stopped in Sandwich during our return drive. There you’ll find the Sandwich Glass Museum. We were fascinated by a glass blowing demonstration as well as a superb multimedia presentation on local history, and the origins of glass manufacturing in Sandwich.
While in Sandwich, don’t miss Beth’s Bakery and Cafe! Stop in for a sandwich or some quiche, but especially for the spectacular selection of pastries. We pigged out on an éclair, a huge cream puff, a carrot cake/bread pudding, and a pecan tart. There were dozens of other handsome pastries too choose from too. If left to me, I would spend a day sampling one of everything. I’ll be working off those sumptuous calories for a few weeks before we head off to Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam at the end of this month, where I’ll probably throw on the pounds again. What the heck, life is short.
We stayed in the “Whirlwind Room” at the Captain’s Inn in Chatham
Our stay on Cape Cod was just right. We’ll be back. It’s fun to hit one area for a couple of days, then go back another time, and visit another region of the cape. I always recommend reading up (on the Internet) the places you visit before you go. Use Google maps at street level and gain a little footing in advance to minimize confusion.
A Wild Ride: “Chance and Keanan: Adagio for Windowpane and Gazebo”
The above title is just one of several new short stories in my second book, Travelers’ Shorts 2.
In this riotous tale, two friends named Chance and Keanan explore Disneylandonacid—in a form known as “windowpane.”Fly with them along the I-5 freeway from La Jolla Cove
to Disneyland
and back. Who does that?
Travelers’ Shorts
are my short stories. Although originally written with the traveler in mind, my short stories are for everyone. In fact, they’re not even about travel. I just thought travelers might enjoy reading short stories as opposed to a lengthy novel. Thus, the title: Travelers’ Shorts.
I used to travel on business often. I was never in the mood to begin a heavy book while jetting. I didn’t like reading long tomes on vacation time either. I craved something interesting to read (on a plane, train, boat, or bus) instead of the usual newsstand pulp and in-flight magazines. I realized that other people likely shared my sentiments too. Thus, I came up with the idea of writing short stories with the traveler in mind. I knew I could write interesting content. I had a flair for the dramatic and definitely a sense of humor that other travelers might appreciate. The results came pouring out.
I wrote several epic
stories—if you can call a short story epic. Some are made-up, but most are based on real life experiences. They say, write about what you know. The truth is always more interesting. I’ve been around for a while. There’s been a lot gone on in my life that makes for first-rate story telling. You’ll be convinced when you read my books. You may find a bit of yourself in them too.
From Batman
to Bobby Kennedy
and even Arnold Schwarzenegger. Scenarios in my tales go from mausoleums
to outer space. From Southern California swimming pools
to New England. There’s a rich mix of heroes, soaring icons, everyday slobs, and royalty.
My books are available in print as well as Ebook, including wireless delivery. Enjoy my short stories at your own pace, in your own time. You’ll want to read them again and again (unless I exposed you in one of my stories). Order today and see what’s inside my “Travelers’ Shorts.”
This short story from Travelers’ Shorts
is worthy of a Coen Brothersfilm. “The Queen, the Bird Feeder, and the Mausoleum”
is about a mother and son whose twisted relationship defines their bond. As Curtis’ mother, “the Queen,” struggles to sustain her hold of power, while her son seeks ways to compromise it. Caught in the middle of the chaos, the son’s friend, Oogie, a mere bystander, observes and does his best to stay clear the fray—involving a new bird feeder, a mausoleum, and a family dinner. Did anyone notice the fourteen-foot long python?
Kremlin: Vladimir Putin and Russian Religious Elite Exile Gays
Boston Globe Reports Russian Anti-Gay Vote Violence Against Gays
A startling article in the Boston Globe
today reports that the government of Russia
has passed a 436-0 vote that would basically outlaw being gay. Lawmakers have accused gays of decreasing Russia’s
already low birth rates, saying they should be barred from government jobs, undergo forced medical treatment, or be exiled. (See the full content of the article using the link below.)
Russia President Vladimir Putin Backs Anti-Gay Laws
One of the first things that comes to mind when considering this violation of human rights is the egomaniacal manner in which Vladimir Putin
has conducted himself, historically. Operating always with self-interest, Putin
fancies himself a martial arts master, a model of physical fitness, and likely sees himself more as a Tzar (rather than questionably elected president of questionable elect). Instinct tell me Vladimir Putindost protest too much.
Amnesty International Condemns Russia Action
Amnesty International
has deemed the ruling of the Russian government “…a sorry attempt by the government to bolster its popularity by pandering to the most reactionary elements of Russian society — at the expense of fundamental rights
and the expression of
individual identities…’’
Bullyinghas reached new levels in the information age. Youths and adults use new tools in cowardly ways for the purpose of intimidation. Bullying
has been a social ill long before cyber bullying. I wrote a short story about a tragedy involving a childhood friend of mine. The story, “John Brake’s Wars,”
is based on true events. It’s about a friend of mine, a school aged boy named John Brake, who was relentlessly bullied in school while his father, a U.S. soldier, was away fighting in Vietnam.
We have seen an increase in this hostile behavior in recent years. Cyber bullying
has given small minds effective tools with which to wreak havoc. The consequences are too often becoming deadly. The effects are always lasting.
“John Brake’s Wars” is just one of the short stories in my book, Travelers‘Shorts.
You May Not Need a Full-Blown Rehab. Not Everyone Does.
Being trapped in alcohol dependencycan feel like a slow death. Even though you may function at an acceptable level (or just slightly below that), there is an underlying anxiety because of not being able to stop drinking alcohol. There’s also the stress of being afraid to seek help—of being exposed. You hear about the Betty Ford Clinic and other rehabilitation programs, but they seem daunting and expensive. Organized groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
can feel intrusive and too public. There’s the fear that everyone will know your business and you’ll give up your privacy. A good reason for at least making an attempt
at becoming sober is that it can actually be simpler than you think. You can do this on your own terms.
Have you been considering going through an alcohol rehab?
It is possible to get sober without checking into a long-term clinic. I explain this in simple terms in my book, Safely Obtaining Sobriety. Years ago, I stayed in a rehab clinic for a month, but it didn’t work out for me. I stayed for the full program. I didn’t leave early, but I came away feeling negative about myself and I remained sober only for about 30 days afterward. I eventually slid back into drinking heavily again, and struggled for another decade before finally figuring out how to beat my alcohol addiction on my own terms.
I knew I didn’t want to go back to rehab. I knew that Alcoholics Anonymous
made me feel embarrassed and ashamed, so I invented my own simple program from becoming sober, and it worked! I have been sober for several years now, and have not had a single drink. I don’t even struggle with it.
Find out more in my book, Safely Obtaining Sobriety.
It’s available as a quick download
to your PC, Mac, iPod, Tablet, or any computer. You can also order the book in print
in a handsome softcover. The price is low. The cost is far less than a rehab
clinic. Try reading my book before doing anything else. You may come out ahead by following my simple plan on your own terms. It worked so well for me, my family encouraged me to write this book. Order my book now and then get started when you are ready. Use the links on this site to order your copy. Make your move now.
This is absolutely the best pasta sauce you will ever eat!
I’ve been preparing this sauce
for over 30 years. Decades of experience and experimentation have culminated in this one, incredibly delicious sauce. This is one sauce
you will not find on Food Network, which I do
follow faithfully.
In order to fully appreciate this sauce, you must fully commit to the process. I suggest you read the entire recipe and instructions prior to beginning your culinary masterpiece.
Your efforts will result in a truly magnificent sauce
that no one can resist. Don’t be afraid to invite guests for your first presentation of this wonderful
sauce. Be ready to serve seconds and thirds. This rich, vibrant sauce
is absolutely the best! (Just wait ‘til you discover the secret ingredient!)
Five Easy-to-Follow Segments for the Perfect Sauce
This recipe is broken into five easy-to-follow segments:
1)
Utensils and Implements 2)
Ingredients 3)
Prep 4)
Directions 5)
Pasta Suggestions
Utensils and Implements you will need:
• Large 12” sauce
pan with high sides OR large 10” – 12” pot
• Large pasta pot for boiling pasta
• Large bowl (for temporarily setting aside sautéed vegetables)
• Large 12” serving bowl or larger platter
• Large tongs for tossing pasta
• Salt and Pepper at hand for seasoning adjustments
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil close at hand for drizzling
• Garlic press (optional) or pre-chop garlic
Ingredients:
2 Medium onions (chopped)
1 Cup Grated carrots
1 Cup Chopped green peppers
8 Garlic cloves (minced) divided into two portions
½ Cup Olive Oil (Extra Virgin)
1 Tbsp. Fennel seed (whole crushed or 1 tsp. dried)
1 Tsp. Red pepper flakes
2 Tbsp. Oregano (dried, crushed)
1 Tsp. Bay leaf (dried flakes or one whole)
2 Tbsp. Basil (dried, crushed)
1 Tbsp. Parsley (dried, flakes)
1 – 1 ½ Lb. Ground turkey or ground chicken
1 Lb. Italian turkey sausage (sweet or hot)
1 28 oz. can Crushed plum tomatoes
1 14.5 oz. can Diced tomatoes
1 6 oz. can Tomato paste
1 15 oz. can Tomato sauce
1 6 oz. can Sliced beets (chopped with juice) Secret ingredient! Adds deep red
color!
½ Cup Marsala cooking wine
½ Cup Grated Parmesan and/or Romano cheese
1 Pinch Ground allspice
1 Tbsp. Anchovy paste
1 Tbsp. Capers
(jarred, drained)
1 Tbsp. Sugar or sugar substitute (do not omit)
1 16 pkg. Dried spaghetti rigati
(or other dried pasta)
Prep:
Begin by setting up the cooking area with necessary pots, pans, and
cooking utensils. Wear an apron or an old shirt. (This bright sauce
may stain.)
Remove ground meats from refrigerator and allow them to come to room temperature so as not to slow the sauce
cooking. With a sharp knife, slit the sides of sausages to allow removal of casings.
Use a garlic press, or pre-mince the garlic and set aside.
Chop green peppers and carrots first and set aside. Chop the onions last (to minimize “crying” during sauce
preparation).
Assemble and arrange spices and herbs for easy reach while sautéing vegetables and meats. Pre-open canned and jarred items.
Directions for Preparing Sauce:
• Heat skillet on medium heat and pour in half of the olive oil (¼ cup)
• Add chopped vegetables (onions, carrots, and green peppers) to pan.
Season lightly with salt and pepper. Using a large wooden spoon, sauté
the vegetables until just tender and push them to one side of the pan
leaving an open space on one side to create a “hot spot” for the next
step.
• Drizzle a small amount of additional olive oil into the “hot spot”
area and sprinkle in the dried pepper flakes, fennel seed, oregano, and
basil. Sauté the dried ingredients in the hot spot to release their
essences, stirring them in the oil until the aromas begin to release.
Then, push the sautéed vegetables back to the center of the pan and stir
to incorporate the herbs with the vegetables. Transfer the mixture to a
separate bowl and set aside temporarily.
• Pour the rest of the olive oil (¼ cup) into the pan and add the ground
turkey (or ground chicken) and the Italian sausage meat (removed from
casings). Season lightly with salt and pepper and sauté until fully
cooked. (Drain excess liquid and fat only if preferred.)
• Stir in half of the chopped garlic and mix thoroughly with the meat.
Taste for salt and pepper adjustment. (Save the remaining garlic until
the end.)
• Stir in canned, crushed plum tomatoes and canned diced tomatoes (fire roasted if available) .
• Add the tomato paste and gradually pour in the tomato sauce to blend.
• Fold in the remaining ingredients (except the the chopped garlic).
Remaining ingredients: dried bay leaf, parsley flakes, Marsala cooking
wine, beets with juice, grated parmesan cheese, ground Allspice, anchovy
paste, capers, and sugar. (Note: sugar reduces any bitterness and
enhances flavors. Add gradually and taste as you go.)
• Allow sauce to simmer on low heat for a minimum of one hour, stirring
occasionally to avoid sticking or burning. Add the remaining garlic
during the last 15 minutes of cooking for a final infusion of rich
flavor.
• Serve sauce with desired pasta. Suggestions follow.
Pasta Suggestions:
I like to serve this pasta sauce
over any pasta with
ridges on the sides. If you enjoy spaghetti style pasta, look for
“spaghetti rigati” which has ridges along the noodle. Boil the pasta in
well salted water. Italians say the water should taste “like the sea”.
(Don’t overdo it, though. This, you learn with experience.) Be sure the
water has come to a rapid boil before adding salt. Then add a little
olive oil to help prevent sticking and toss in the pasta. Cook until al dente
(still slightly firm “to the tooth”) – never too soft. Use tongs or
pasta ladle to pull the pasta from the boiling water, allowing it to
drain before depositing into a large bowl. Drizzle with a small amount
of olive oil and toss. Serve with the sauce
ladled over the top of the pasta, or drop the pasta into your large skillet of sauce
and toss to incorporate before serving. Mangia! Mangia!
Enjoy!
Boston’s Motto: “By the sword we
seek peace, but peace only under liberty”
Uncle Sam is in Arlington MA
Commentary
I live just outside of Boston
in Arlington, Massachusetts, on Massachusetts Avenue, a road which stretches south all the way through Cambridge and across the Charles River to Boston
proper. It’s a matter of minutes by public transportation to get downtown where the bombs exploded on Monday on Boylston Street. I visit downtown Boston regularly.
Boston Historic Symbol of Freedom
Today, I received a call from friends, asking if I was okay. I hadn’t heard about the explosions in Boston
and I hadn’t been watching TV, so I wasn’t aware of what was happening downtown. Only yesterday, we hosted the Patriots Day
parade in Arlington, formerly known as Menotomy. Arlington lies on the route on which Paul Revere
made his famous ride. My home is on the site of some of the first battles fought during the onset of the Revolutionary War. Just north are Lexington and Concord. In Arlington, we’re right in the thick of things. (In 1867, Menotomy
was renamed Arlington
in tribute to fallen soldiers buried at Arlington National Cemetery.)
Terrorism on the Boston Freedom Trail
What can we do about terrorism on our shores more than 200 years after establishing the land of the free, The United States of America. I am reminded of the poem by Emma Lazarus, born on a plaque on the side of the Statue of Liberty‘s
pedestal, with its famous
passage:
“…Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!…”
Melting Pot Includes Poison
As of late, I feel uneasy when I think of this country as being the “melting pot” that it is. I’m sure I’m not alone in my concern about poisoned minds of extremists coming to our shores and wreaking havoc here. Ever since the bombing of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, I had been under the impression that, in this country, we were doing all we could to prevent further terrorist attacks. There actually have been fewer
major acts of terrorism than I would have expected. Even so, I’ve always had a sense that it’s an impossible task to predict and stop all such malevolent acts. Today, after this terrorist act in Boston, I feel a renewed sense of that concern. That said, we don’t even know if this act was of domestic origin, or from foreign monsters.
Optimism Sustains Us
I am not a fatalist, rather I am an optimist. I’ve been an optimist my entire life. I was born with a hopeful outlook. However, I feel we aren’t smart enough yet. We haven’t put enough into the business of shutting down threats. We cannot yet detect the evil that lurks within our shores. I don’t think we’ll ever be able to read what’s in the hearts of those wretches who come to do us harm (or the ones already here), but perhaps we can do a better job of preventing them from obtaining bomb making materials and entering crowded areas carrying such weapons of mass killing.
Unfortunately, even with my optimism, I don’t see 100 percent detection and prevention as ever happening in my lifetime. People still get in. People are already here. The Boston Marathon
is a wonderful excuse to let down our guard and allow individuals to mingle freely and participate. That’s what we do. It was Patriots’ Day! As a whole, our collective intelligence amounts to somewhere in between that of the highly educated movers and shakers and the “wretched refuse” who have been tempest tost
to our shores (or somehow raised here by wild dogs). Unfortunately, some of those that reach our shores are
bringing the tempest with them.
Technology for Freedom
I’ll just bear all of this with my usual dumb optimism. I’m not the policeman. That’s not me. My hope is that, one day, the good geniuses in our midst will bring to bear all available intelligence and technology to monitor thoroughly the physical aspects of terrorism. Shouldn’t we be able to keep materials out of the hands of evil doers? I believe the possibility is less remote than trying to read the minds of (and thereby stopping) all mass killers. If we can sniff out every nook and cranny where weapons chemicals come together, we can respond. I don’t think it’s such a huge leap to be able to zero-in on these elements as they converge. I believe it’s possible. If they can put satellites and telescopes in outer space to peer back billions of years, or to look back down to Earth and pick out small objects, why not focus those eyes on identifying traces of elements where they don’t belong in our country? Current technology can already identify millions of light spectrum using filters deployed in those cameras in space. I believe technology may exist, or will exist, that would enable scientists to spot confluences of materials with a specific footprint and identify potential weapons before they are fully formed, or deployed. That’s my hope. That’s all I got.
Rest in peace, to those innocent people harmed or lost in Boston, from wherever they may have come, including the fine young woman, Krystle Marie Campbell, of neighboring town of Medford, Massachusetts, who worked in a favorite restaurant right here in Arlington. Let’s bolster their families and lend our best support to the injured too.
Margaret Thatcher First
Female Prime Minister of Great
Britain Has Died
Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the first woman to become a British Prime Minister has died of a stroke at the age of 87. According to CNN, she suffered a stroke on Monday. The former “Iron Lady” and leader of Great Britain suffered a first stroke in 2002, and then several small strokes in subsequent years. She had been the longest-serving (1979–1990) Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of the 20th century.
Margaret Thatcher Close Ties to Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev
Margaret Thatcher’s
stunning career included close ties to U.S. PresidentRonald Reaganand former Soviet communist leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Thatcher once said she considered Ronald Reagan, “…the second most important man in my life.” Bound by opposition to communism, Thatcher and Reagan shared a close bond throughout the 1980s. Together, they provided a united western counterbalance against the Soviet Union. The relationships developed by Thatcher, who famously told Mikhail Gorbachev that “[she] could to business with him,” and the two world superpower leaders, Reagan and Gorbachev, ultimately helped lead to the collapse of the Berlin Wall
and the push for democracy in Eastern Europe.
Margaret Thatcher Grocer’s Daughter
Born in 1925 in the small town of Grantham, England, Margaret Thatcher
was the daughter of a British grocer, Alfred Roberts. Her father was active in politics and raised Margaret Roberts as a strict Methodist. After graduating from Somerville College at Oxford, Margaret Thatcher began a slow rise in politics beginning in 1959, eventually serving as leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990. Thatcher won thenation’s top job only six years after declaring in a television interview, “I don’t think there will be a woman prime minister in my lifetime.”
Margaret Thatcher Career Defining Moment
Margaret Thatcher, Britain’s Fighting Lady
Well into her career as Prime Minister, on 2 April 1982, when the ruling military party in Argentina
ordered the invasion of the British-controlled Falkland Islands
and South Georgia, Margaret Thatcher took to defending Britain’s interest with the triggering the Falklands War. The subsequent crisis was “a defining moment in Margaret Thatcher’s career. She set up and chaired a small War Cabinet to take charge of the war effort, dispatching, in early April, a naval task force to retake the Falkland Islands. Argentina surrendered on 14 June and the British operation was hailed a success.
Margaret Thatcher Funeral
Margaret Thatcher’s
funeral was held at St. Paul’s Cathedral
in London, with full military honors, followed by a private cremation.
Books and Self-Publishing by Author Robert George Reoch Part 2: Marketing
Books Don’t Pay Unless . . .
Books
don’t pay unless:
A) Your book comes with built-in name recognition, or a signed book deal
with a major publisher eager to profit from your celebrity (in other words, you are already rich and famous, or at least in the midst of your 15 minutes of fame), or
B) You’ve written a true literary masterpiece
and have a well-connected saint
for a book agent. There’s a caveat to the latter too. Most agents won’t touch you unless you can show you’ve already sold at least a thousand books! (See A).
Books Only Profit When They Sell Tens of Thousands of Copies
If you’ve been thinking of having your book published in hopes of making tons of money from royalties, read the above paragraph again. Depending on the price of your book, your cut will be small
compared to the actual retail price. Printers, distributors, and retailers (even Ebook retailers) take a big cut. If you sell 100 books, you will likely receive less than a thousand dollars. If you sell 1,000 books, you’ll probably make less than $5,000. If you are distributed through a site like Amazon, you’ll be
competing with millions and millions of books. Millions!
Why Your Book Won’t List at the Top
On Amazon’s site, your book title won’t necessary be listed in order, alphabetically. Algorithms decide how to list your book as befits the retailer. These secret formulas are dictated by consumer demand and will determine how early-on in the list of publications your book appears—even if your book should
be first alphabetically. More popular books with similar titles will be positioned near the top of the list. If you are a new author, or unpopular, your book will quickly be lost in the morass. Again, even if someone searches for your book title by typing it in alphabetically exactly correct, it won’t pop up near the top of the list unless it’s already a big seller. (I know this from experience. Go ahead, experiment with my book titles if you like.)
Travelers’ Shorts—Short Stories by Robert George Reoch
Marketing is Key
I ran out of time for marketing
my books. You may laugh. Seriously, I had an entire strategy, but life happened and I had to move away from my book projects before I could delve into serious marketing. I had given myself a timeline. Even with a solid year dedicated, life gave me too many interruptions. I finished self-publishing my books, but I needed to go back to my day job. I didn’t have time to market my books properly. However, I missed a window that would likely have been fruitless anyway. (See A in paragraph 1).
Book Marketing Requires Research
Even though I ran out of time, I still made a modest effort to market
my book. I quickly discovered that book agents put up walls. While searching Online, I found websites for agents who advertised, openl, that they don’t take clients whose books have not already sold at least a thousand in number.
Was I discouraged? Of course, so I moved on. I could have continued looking, however I feared I might spend more time and money for naught by falling victim to someone preying on another new author’s dreams. Some unscrupulous agent might take my money and just make a few empty promises. Perhaps they would make some weak gesture such as offering to issue a press release—something I could have done myself. That’s how things panned out.
I put up a couple of websites for my books, which was a hopeful idea, but even that doesn’t help if people never see the websites. Meanwhile, social media explodes. This could be good. Yet, even putting one of my books on Facebook
did nothing measurable. Facebook wanted me to purchase ads (like the ones you can block). Those Facebook
ads cost me more than all of the royalties I’d ever received. Ouch! (Yes, you can laugh.)
My Books Have Been Purchased
The few purchases of my books were probably made by distant relatives of whom I’ve never heard. Perhaps I made a few sales from people who happened across one of my websites, or one of my Twitter
accounts. Maybe they saw the poster I tacked up on a bulletin board along the bike trail near my house that was later mowed down by an errant bicyclist. (How’s that for sophisticated marketing?)
If you want to market your book and you don’t fit the profile in item A of paragraph 1
above), you’ll need a lot of luck, plain and simple. Maybe you have a big congregation at your church who can be easily guilt-ed into buying your books.
At the end of the day, at least books should be written if only for the love of writing. Keep writing…or don’t. Be happy.
Books and Self-Publishing by Author Robert George Reoch Part 1
Book World and Self-Publishing
In the book
world, self-publishing
has taken off over the last ten years. I learned about self-publishing in 2009 as I was writing my first book
of short stories, Travelers’ Shorts: Stories That Move.
I discovered on the Internet a company called iUniverse
and decided to give myself and them a try at publishing my stories. I had no idea what I was doing, yet I was determined to give it my best shot. I was certain people would love my short stories. Once my books were published, and once people began buying my books, I would get rich!
I’d have a best seller!
Books Don’t Sell Themselves
“…once people began buying my books.”—that’s the telling phrase. Nobody buys your books if they haven’t heard of you. I worked for nearly two years with iUniverse and finally finished my project. When all was said (written) and done, I eventually realized that if iUniverse had things their way, I would have bought hundreds of my own books myself. They actually expected me to buy caseloads of my own books from them
so I could peddle them on the street myself. They aggressively offered me discounts for buying quantities of my own books. I live in an apartment. I don’t have room to stockpile books. Fortunately, being a salesman from way back, I could see their angle. Get me all happy that I’ve written a book, then turn around and sell it to me for their own profit! Nuts. I’m the type of person who has foresight. I can usually see the end-game coming. iUniverse had already charged me hundreds of dollars for holding my hand and doing some minor editing (which mainly threw me off my rhythm). They reformatted my pages to fit the printed book (tasks that, later, I realized I could have done myself for free). Yes, I was that
green.
Books on the iUniverse Shelf
iUniverse offered marketing and distribution options for my books, including some expensive ad campaigns. I remained leery because they were still constantly trying to sell me box loads
of my own books (and I wasn’t biting). Once—just once—I paid them a large sum to show my book at a book fair in Miami. Unfortunately, there was never any concrete evidence that my book even made it to the fair. I never received any sales as a result of the fair. In fact, in following-up, I checked my account records online at iUniverse and discovered that nobody at iUniverse had procured a copy of my printed book prior to the fair, which they would have needed in order to show it. When I mentioned this to iUniverse after the fair, they refused to refund the promotional fee. There later appeared a post-fair record of an internal request for a copy of my book on my account records. Someone had attempted to manipulate the records and backdate an order to make it appear as though they had procured a copy, but the system wouldn’t allow it. It showed the true date confirming the internal book request was made well after the date of the Miami book fare. They were trying to cover their tracks, it was obvious. It wasn’t worth pursuing. Without having flown to Miami on the day of the book fair, I couldn’t prove anything. I laugh at the absurdity of the book fair ploy (and my gullibility). Nobody bought my book in Miami, and it took months before anyone purchased my book through iUniverse, or from any of the other bookseller’s to whom they claim to distribute. By the way, your books are not sent to retailers at all. These books are printed on demand by those who sell the printed copies online. iUniverse did nothing to promote my book. It sat on their online shelf in virtual reality. Of course, they offered other advertising options costing thousands of dollars, but . . . are you kidding?
Second Book Similar Fate
I also published my second book, Travelers’ Shorts 2: Tethers, with iUniverse. Am I crazy? Well, since I already knew the process, I went ahead with iUniverse again. Once you understand the mechanics of self-publishing, the venue at iUniverse works fairly well—enough to get a book out there. Your books find their way to Amazon (see Part 2). I wanted to get my second book published quickly as a way to show legitimacy. I had written several good short stories. People who read them loved them. For my second book, I made the mistake of using one of iUniverse’s book cover designers. (I designed the cover of my first book myself and was quite happy with the way it turned out. It kept with my vision.) For the second book, instead of trusting my gut and going with my own cover design again, I used one of iUniverse’s “professional” designer’s. That was a mistake. I had created a design of my own, but I took a chance with the iUniverse designer and it isn’t what I had pictured. I should have taken the time to change it. One day, when I publish a compilation of all of my short stories, in a single volume, I’ll design that cover myself. I may republish the second book and use my cover. At least, I discovered I’m a better cover designer than at least one paid professional. See my book cover (below) for
Travelers’ Shorts? Those shorts are an actual pair of mine that I photographed and photo shopped.
Travelers Shorts
Travelers’ Shorts 2: Tethers
Travelers Shorts 2
Travelers’ Shorts Contain Gems
My books
are gems. Of course I say that because I wrote them! The stories speak for themselves.
In my first book, Travelers’ Shorts: Stories That Move,
my prose leans toward being overly rich, or “purple,” as my aunt would say. However, I learned to move the story telling at a more contemporary pace in my second book, Travelers’ Shorts 2: Tethers.
You can click on the image below to find out more. Don’t let me stop you.
Travelers’ Shorts—Short Stories by Robert George Reoch
Self-Publishing Book Companies Have Their Own Agenda
Most self-publishing
companies are in it for their own profit, not yours. They profit from the process of publishing your book for you. They will charge you for editing services, formatting, cover design, advertising, etc. They will then push your finished book right back at you to buy it from them (in quantities) so you can go out and peddle it yourself. They want you to buy your own book from them in large quantities (at discounted prices, of course). Just remember, the marketing onus is on you. Nobody sees your book if you don’t market it, but that’s another story which I’ll cover in my next article
about self-publishing. Also, in my next article, I’ll talk about my positive experiences in self-publishing with Amazon and their affiliate company CreateSpace.
Good luck with your writing. For more information, read Part 2.
Saint Patrick’s Day is a cultural and religious holiday celebrated on 17 March. It is named after Saint Patrick (c. AD 385–461), the most commonly recognized of the patron saints of Ireland. Saint Patrick
was a Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland. The patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick is one of Christianity’s most widely known figures. However, for all his celebrity, his life remains somewhat of a mystery. Many exaggerated stories of St. Patrick
are traditionally told, including the famous account of his banishing all the snakes from Ireland. The stories, although false, are the products of hundreds of years of embellished lore.
Some of What is Known About St. Patrick
Saint Patrick
was born to wealthy parents in Britain near the end of the 4th century. At the age of 16, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and transported to Ireland where he was held captive for six years. There is dispute over as to where in Ireland this captivity took place. During this time, he worked as a shepherd, outdoors and away from people. Lonely and afraid, he turned to his religion for solace, becoming a devout Christian. After a voice from God compelled him to escape, he traveled hundreds of miles on foot, back in Britain. In a second revelation, an angel told him to return to Ireland as a missionary. He began religious training, a course of study that lasted more than 15 years. After his ordination as a priest, he was sent to Ireland with a dual mission: to minister to Christians already living in Ireland and to begin to convert the Irish.
Saint Patrick’s Day Celebrations
Saint Patrick’s Day
was made an official Christian feast day in the early seventeenth century and is observed by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion (especially the Church of Ireland), the Eastern Orthodox Church, and Lutheran Church. St. Patrick’s Day commemorates the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, as well as Irish heritage and culture in general.
St. Patrick’s Day Green
Saint Patrick’s Day
involves public parades and festivals, and wearing of green attire or shamrocks. Christians also attend church services and the Lenten restrictions on eating and drinking alcohol are lifted for the day. Originally, the color associated with Saint Patrick was blue. Over the years, the color green replaced blue in Saint Patrick’s Day observances. Green ribbons and shamrocks were worn in celebration of St Patrick’s Day as early as the 17th century. Saint Patrick
is said to have used the shamrock, a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity (The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) to the pagan Irish, hence the wearing of shamrocks and shamrock-inspired designs has become a popular tradition of the day. The phrase, “the wearing of the green,” is derived from wearing a shamrock on one’s clothing. In the 1798 rebellion, to draw attention and make a political statement, Irish soldiers wore full green uniforms on 17 March.
St. Patrick’s Day in the United States
Green Beer
St. Patrick’s Day, although not a legal holiday in the United States, is widely recognized throughout the country. It is primarily observed as a celebration of Irish and Irish American culture with celebrations including prominent displays of the color green, feasting, religious observances, and numerous parades. Many celebrants also engage in the copious consumption of alcohol, including drinking “green beer”
(beer that has been tinted green). The traditions have been carried-on in North America since the late eighteenth century. Some of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parades are held in the cities of Boston and New York, and in Chicago, where the Chicago River is died green each year in recognition of the holiday.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Montreal Canada
One of the longest-running Saint Patrick’s Day
parades in North America occurs each year in Montreal, whose city flag includes a shamrock in its lower-right quadrant. The parades have been held there continually since 1824.
London, England Celebrates Saint Patrick’s Day
London has held an annual Saint Patrick’s Day parade since 2002. It takes place on weekends around the 17th, usually in Trafalgar Square. In 2008, the water in the Trafalgar Square fountains was dyed green. Some excellent information sources about St. Patrick’s Day include Wikipedia
and History.com.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio
(pronounced Ber-GOAL-io)—now known as Pope Francis—age 76, has been elected as the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. This selection follows the resignation of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI. The new pontiff will be called Pope Francis. This marks the first time in papal history that the name, Francis, has been used. He is the first non-European pope in over 1,200 years. In his title, Pope Francis
will not use the Roman numeral, ‘I,’ to denote “the first,” unlike a preceding pope, John Paul I, who decided himself to add the ‘I’ to his title. The new pope will be correctly referred to simply as Pope Francis.
First Jesuit Pope
The election of the archbishop of Buenos Aires, Bergoglio
was an apt choice in that the bulk of the world’s Catholics
currently reside in the Southern Hemisphere. As Bill Chappell
of NPR
mentions, the choice of the name, “Francis,” is seen as a gesture toward the Franciscans from Bergoglio, the first Jesuit
to become pope. Vatican representative, Rev. Federico Lombardi, confirmed that the name refers to St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan Order, often seen as the Jesuits’ traditional rivals.
Pope Has Dual Role
In his role as pope, Pope Francis is both the leader of the Catholic Church
and the sovereign ruler of the Vatican City State.
On my first trip to Atlanta, Georgia, we visited the Georgia Aquarium. It was just what I had hoped. There are an abundance of creative exhibits, and the dolphin show is spectacular! It’s all indoors, so you can visit anytime. Here’s a shot of some of the colorful fish there: Fish Tales
One Direction? I think I like them. They remind me of a certain band from way back. I even knitted together a couple of images to express my initial impression: