My daughter, Sam

July 29, 2010
My daughter was in an accident tonight I do ask for a shout out to God so Samantha's surgery will go great!

Thanks

July, 30, 2010
Sam's Update:
FYI - Sam's surgery went well. She has a deep gash near her eye that has been stitched up. Her catscan was good and she received the worse at what the ER nurse said was a Avulsion Injury on her skull near her ear. Plastic surgery repaired her the exposed mass with skin graph from her back.

"In medicine, an avulsion is an injury in which a body structure is forcibly detached. It most commonly refers to a surface trauma where all layers of the skin have been torn away, exposing the underlying structures (e.g. subcutaneous tissue, muscle, tendons). This is similar to an abrasion but more severe, as body parts such as an eyelid or an ear can be partially or fully detached from the body. The term comes from the Latin word avellere, "to tear off"." ~wikipedia

July 31, 2010
Sam was released today and is doing well. Thanks for the prayers.

'Once Wild' review from Author John Walker

'Once Wild' review from Author John Walker of 'Wrath and Remembrance'. Thanks, Mr. Walker!

 

John Walker's review

Jul 20, 10

rating:

status: Read from July 01 to 17, 2010

The sins of Shaun MacGregor’s youth are far from forgotten when he is released from prison and returns to his home town in Ashland, Pennsylvania. We learn that he went wild in his youth for a reason: rebellion sparked by years of physical abuse. When he wasn’t being bullied by his father, he was being victimized by others. He’s already served eight years for killing his friend, but there are some in the town who still won’t forget – or forgive. Shaun is a marked man from the moment news is out that he’s back in town.
When Maria Bellicia literally runs into him, their status couldn’t be more different, poles apart in the eyes of society. However, it’s a case of opposites attracting; they can’t help falling in love with each other. What follows is a steamy mix of guilt, passion, sex, hatred and violence.
This is the first book in the Breaking Out series, and it’s a great read that reminded me of classic noir, steamy, pot-boiler thrillers like James M. Cain�...more The sins of Shaun MacGregor’s youth are far from forgotten when he is released from prison and returns to his home town in Ashland, Pennsylvania. We learn that he went wild in his youth for a reason: rebellion sparked by years of physical abuse. When he wasn’t being bullied by his father, he was being victimized by others. He’s already served eight years for killing his friend, but there are some in the town who still won’t forget – or forgive. Shaun is a marked man from the moment news is out that he’s back in town.
When Maria Bellicia literally runs into him, their status couldn’t be more different, poles apart in the eyes of society. However, it’s a case of opposites attracting; they can’t help falling in love with each other. What follows is a steamy mix of guilt, passion, sex, hatred and violence.
This is the first book in the Breaking Out series, and it’s a great read that reminded me of classic noir, steamy, pot-boiler thrillers like James M. Cain’s The Postman Always Rings Twice. I liked the setting and the characters. The pace is steady and the tension builds very well. I believed in Shaun’s struggle to find acceptance and redemption, along with Shaun and Maria’s struggle to stay together in the face of adversity.
I recommend it to readers who enjoy a love story with a hard edge.

 

Review of 'The Snow Walker'

Okay, What can I say about this one? No sex, violence just a breath of fresh air that at the end of the film has you appreciating life given.
I have to admit that the subject matter of desolate, frozen wasteland was very intriguing. As for Charlie and Kanaalaq's struggle in survival, very believable and had me rooting until the very end.

It gave insight to the beliefs and simple life of the culture of the Inuit people.
Charlie's struggle of his discontented life, which was embittered by wartime, was humbled when a young woman shows him how simple life can be. This movie represents mind and body stripped of everything once believed  important. Life is seen in a very different light. Appreciative of the gift given.
A very good film and I recommend 'The Snow Walker' if you need a inspiring kick-in-the ass with your own life.

"LIKE IT"

From Prison - Matthew Maher

July 1, 2010

DARK STORM

---

It's Friday before 4th of July weekend and the only American flag in sight is the patch on the Correction Officer's uniforms. How ironic to be celebrating Independence "Freedom Day" in prison locked up. It's nice and cool on the tier and beautiful outside, but they say tomorrow and the upcoming week is gonna be unbearable. The tier will probably turn into a wet sauna.
I received several encouraging letters today from all across the country and it's amazing to see the support and feedback. One such letter, from a pen pal who has become a friend and someone whom I have begun to admire, wrote me something that made perfect sense and the analogy used was a situation mostly everyone has experienced at one point or another.
They spoke of a sudden onset of a terrible storm. They said, it was so bad that they lost complete power and it sounded as if large rocks were hitting their house due to the thunder and hail. This person sat in the complete dark, all alone, and began to pray for God's protection in this dark storm. They wrote, "When we are cut off from the world (lights, TV, phone, all electric, etc.) and are amongst darkness, we turn to the true light, the Lord." They continued, "I found myself ‘being still' at that moment and thinking how sometimes it takes darkness to open our eyes to the light."
In a world filled with darkness it will only take one candle to brighten up the room. When troubles hit, remember what is true, and take heart. The indwelling Holy Spirit has the resources to provide what we need, to equip us for the journey, and to sustain us with His presence throughout the dark days. Nothing can stop the purposes of our Lord from being carried out. (In Touch)
"If I say, "Surely the darkness shall fall on me, even the night shall be light about me." Psalm 139:11
~~The Lord sees in the dark as clearly as He does in the light~~~

About.com Article: Justin Levens Biography

	Martial Arts

Justin Levens Biography http://martialarts.about.com/od/mmaandufc/p/justinlevens.htm?r=et

Visit Justin's Myspace at http://www.myspace.com/justinlevens_intercessory


ribe came from IP address 24.110.76.107.

Six Ft. Swells Press releases new poetry book | TheUnion.com

This is the link for my editor, Julie Valin's new release of 'Six Ft. Swells Press Poetry Book'

Six Ft. Swells Press releases new poetry book | TheUnion.com

Quote to Note

"As long as I breathe I hope. As long as I breathe I shall fight for the future..." ~Leon Trotsky

NOT WHAT I WANTED...JUST WHAT I NEEDED - Matthew Maher

A lot of time in prison is spent talking about what we want in life and what we think we need in life. Most of these wants and needs are based on what will make us happy. As I listen to several inmates talk about "stacking bread" (bread is money) and driving nice cars, it is even more evident that these needs and wants are based on selfish desires.
Sometimes we are confused about the difference between an actual "need" versus a "want."  A need is "a necessity or the state of lacking something that is required" as opposed to a want which is to "greatly desire or to wish for something." We want nice cars and big house, but we don't need them. We want the "filet mignon" of foods, but that's not what is needed to survive.
In prison, people don't hesitate to ask you for anything they want, not need, but pure wants. There is absolutely no shame in walking by someone who is eating a candy bar and asking for it. Not just for a piece, but the whole thing. It's like big grown children. This is how we are in life sometimes. We ask for riches and are fired from work. We ask for patience and are tested in traffic. We are too busy trying to figure out why we were not given what we asked for, to realize that what has transpired is we got exactly what we needed.
I received a beautiful letter the other day that really encouraged me. In the letter, was a quote that sums up the difference between our wants and needs in life. I would like to pass the quote along: "Sometimes struggles are what we need in life. If we went through life without obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as we are. I asked for STRENGTH and was given difficulties to make me strong. I asked for WISDOM and was given problems to solve. I asked for COURAGE and I was given obstacles to overcome. I asked for LOVE and I was given people to help. I received nothing I wanted and everything I needed."
~~~I wanted visibility and popularity because of soccer, a selfish ambition, and was given affliction and a drunk driving platform. (humility) Not exactly what I wanted, but everything I needed.~~~~

Matthew Maher

Second Act: Jay Shafer -- how one drastically simplified his life

 How one man drastically simplified his life:

Ten years ago, Jay Shafer downsized to an 89-square-foot house and reinvented both his lifestyle and career in the process.

Inspirational video!

A Catholic priest, an Indian doctor, a rich Chinese businessman and an Italian from New Jersey

A Catholic priest, an Indian doctor, a rich Chinese businessman and an Italian from New Jersey were waiting one morning for a particularly slow group of golfers in front of them.  

The Italian from New Jersey fumed,
'What's with those jerks? We're waiting fifteen minutes between shots!'

The Indian doctor chimed in, 'I don't know, but I've never seen such poor golf!'

The Chinese businessman called out, 'Move it, time is money!'

The Catholic priest said, 'Here comes the greens keeper. Let's have a word with him. Excuse me, sir!' said the priest, 'What's wrong with that group ahead of us? They're rather slow, aren't they?'

The greens keeper replied, 'Oh, yes. That's a group of blind fire fighters. They lost their sight saving our clubhouse from a fire last year, so we always let them play for free anytime.'
The group fell silent for a moment.


The Catholic priest said, 'That's so sad. I think I will say a special prayer for them tonight.'

The Indian doctor said, 'Good idea. I'm going to contact my ophthalmologist colleague and see if there's anything that he might be able to do for them.'

The Chinese businessman replied, 'I think I'll donate $50,000 to the fire fighters union in honor of these brave souls!'


The Italian from New Jersey said,


'Why the fuck can't they play at night?

John and Keith's adventure

John decided to go skiing with his buddy, Keith. So they loaded up John's

minivan and headed north.

After driving for a few hours, they got caught in a terrible blizzard. So

they pulled into a nearby farm and asked the attractive lady who answered

the door if they could spend the night.

'I realize it's terrible weather out there and I have this huge house all to

myself, but I'm recently widowed,' she explained. 'I'm afraid the neighbors

will talk if I let you stay in my house.'

'Don't worry,' John said. 'We'll be happy to sleep in the barn. And if the

weather breaks, we'll be gone at first light.' The lady agreed, and the two

men found their way to the barn and settled in for the night.

Come morning, the weather had cleared, and they got on their way.

They enjoyed a great weekend of skiing.

But about nine months later, John got an unexpected letter from an attorney.

It took him a few minutes to figure it out, but he finally determined that

it was from the attorney of that attractive widow he had met on the ski

weekend.

He dropped in on his friend Keith and asked, 'Keith, do you remember that

good-looking widow from the farm we stayed at on our ski holiday up north

about 9 months ago?'

'Yes, I do.' Said Keith.

'Did you, er, happen to get up in the middle of the night, go up to the

house and pay her a visit?'

'Well, um, yes!,' Keith said, a little embarrassed about being found out, 'I

have to admit that I did.'

'And did you happen to give her my name instead of telling her your name?'

Keith's face turned beet red and he said,

'Yeah, look, I'm sorry, buddy . I'm afraid I did.' 'Why do you ask?'

'She just died and left me everything.'

(And you thought the ending would be different, didn't you?... you know you

smiled...now keep that smile for the rest of the day!)

Wow! what an awesome, brutal movie. I loved that Boyka had redeemed himself. Love the quiet demeanor and hidden thoughts behind eyes that pierced menacingly at others.

For you guys, the fight scenes are fantastic and displays the talent of the fight world and MMA. Nicely choreographed!

Despite that Scott Atkins is a fine specimen of a man, he portrays that dedicated character with heart and soul. Definitely yummy. I hoped on more some romance but I'm hopeful with the fourth that makes him fight for that woman and kid he doesn't like to talk about. If you don't like this movie as much as I did, then as Boyka says "shut your Fucking mouth".

I gave Undisputed III a "Like It" and that is only due to its lack of a romantic tie.

Good job on the film.

Just a peak at Scott in action!

Moveie Review - 'Leap Year'

Excellent Movie!

Even though this comedy hosted no major stars (which I prefer anyway), I thoroughly was enchanted and enjoyed it. Casting was fantastic. Matthew Goode was great as the surly, jilted bar owner while Amy Adams was a sassy, determined woman, even until very the end of the movie. I recommend this movie with a “Love It!” 
 
Clearly a chick flick, you men patiently sit through it with your woman. Now she sees that soft, fun side of you. Then you can in turn ask her to watch Undisputed III with Scott Adkins, but don’t get envious when she gawks at magnificent male bodies in action.

Only fair, right?! 

  

Homeless man rescues American flag during storm - video from Yahoo!

Homeless man rescues American flag during storm

http://news.yahoo.com/video/austinkvue-tv-15750583/homeless-man-rescues-american-flag-during-storm-20738426
============================================================
Yahoo! Video

GUEST BLOG | GIVEAWAY | WIN with Carol Gambill

GUEST BLOG | GIVEAWAY | WIN with Carol Gambill: "

Inspiration?

Wow, now that’s a word that would delve some lengthy discussion. It is a word holding a significant importance in one’s life. It is a prodding suggestion that everyone gets at one time or another. Whether that person is highly in-tune to the sensitivity or not, they still somehow find inspiration.
It could come from an innocent child suffering under plight or poverty-stricken conditions and wanting to do something about it; it could be a veteran of past wars suffering from something he felt called to do and wanting him to feel appreciation or something as simple as a song or even as faint as a whisper in a light breeze in an open, green meadow that brings a sense of joy. Inspiration is everywhere….

Receiving inspiration usually comes from a person, place or thing. It is a one-on-one awareness that engulfs deep into one’s soul. Trying to explain where inspiration comes from and why it is there is difficult. Usually, one has to experience that exact moment when something warm washes over you and moves you with such strong emotion that it can give life meaning. Most times, trying to explain to someone else where the inspiration came from or how that inspiration arrived just doesn’t  work. It comes from another realm deep within us. When it’s amazingly  understood with that said person, there is a connection; a mutual inspiration; a sense that we somehow know them better.

Inspiration:

Stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity

The condition of being so stimulated.

Something, such as a sudden creative act or idea, that is inspired.

The quality of inspiring or exalting

Divine guidance or influence exerted directly on the mind and soul of humankind.

The act of drawing in, especially the inhalation of air into the lungs.

Inspiration may stay only moments or possibly days. It can change with time. If that certain inspiration never leaves one it  then turns into passion. That word in itself is all-encompassing and I won’t even attempt to go there with it.

All-in-all, I believe that when you feel that inkling of inspiration tap on your shoulder, reach around and embrace it. Life will open up to you in a new way, a way you would never have imagined and before you know it you have a deeper meaning of who you are and why you are here.

For you true philosophers, let me know
what your views on Inspiration are.

What is your inspiration?

_______________________________________

Author:  Carol Gambill http://carolgambill.com

Books: Once Wild , Serranto’s
Redemption, Brannigan’s War (coming soon)

___________________________________

Book Blurb for Once Wild:

Reckless in his youth, Shaun MacGregor was never one to care  about what people thought of him. But then he returned to the small coalmining town of Ashland, Pennsylvania after serving eight years in prison, and had a literal run-in with town socialite, Maria Bellicia.
One night with Maria leads Shaun on a turbulent path to confront all the layers of his destructive past, and face all of the pain, guilt and regret that comes along with it. Each layer that Maria helps peel away reveals yet another adversary and complication that Shaun must either run away from, or fight against. As Shaun struggles to make the right
decisions that will finally allow him peace of mind and approval as a citizen of Ashland, Shaun is catapulted to an ultimate crossroad where he must face the biggest obstacle of his life: flee Ashland once and forall, or stay and fight for the only woman who has shown him true love and acceptance.

Excerpt:

The small metal slot of his confinement cell slid open to a sliver of light. “MacGregor, you’re gonna rot in there or what? You, my Irish friend need to rethink your attitude about laying nice with others,” the guard noted with a smirk. Shaun squinted at the light that pushed from the outside, but he could only see eyes that looked in on him with mockery. Silence filled the small, dark room where he had been placed after slamming another inmate’s head onto the dining hall table. Fortunately, the metal table surface had come in handy,  considering the man had threatened Shaun for the last time. Shaun hadn’t given the man a chance to find him alone in some secluded area. Sure, Shaun had been out of control, but he felt vindicated. He was mad at the world. Although being in prison for killing Matt had been entirely justified, he would gladly serve his time for what he had done, but he would no longer put up with the aggression of other inmates. 

He sat on the mattress, then leaned back against the concrete wall. He rubbed the back of his neck. Counting his meals so far meant that Shaun had only been in solitary confinement for three days. Strangely, the three days of quietness here and what was meant as punishment, now only seemed like relief. He could think here, but unfortunately that time was spent in other memories of that one day he tended to relive again and again.

A key at his cell door told him that the guard had been giving him a rash of shit and that he would very soon join the general prison population. He had been in Frackville Prison
for just under two years, and yes, there were still eight more years to go, and he had been in and out of solitary confinement more times than he cared to remember. He knew his life had to change. He was tired of fighting everyone and everything.

Please visit Carol Gambill's site here!  

To enter go to

http://tjbook-list.blogspot.com/2010/07/guest-blog-giveaway-win-with-carol.html

The most beautiful seatbelt advocacy commercial ever.wmv

True

There comes a point in your life when you realize:

Who matters,

Who never did,

Who won't anymore...

And who always will.

So, don't worry about people from your past,

there's a reason why they didn't make it to your future.

Welcome Home party for SPC Jason Paul Alvarez

We have a young soldier returning home to our area very soon, within the next week or two, and we will be planning a Welcome Home party for him

SPC Jason Paul Alvarez

Unit: 1^st Battalion 508^th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4^th Brigade Combat Team Bravo Company

Tour: 1 year

 

This young man has really seen a lot while deployed including losing four of his close friends in one of many fire fights.

Participation is desired to help show his sacrifices are greatly appreciated.

Plans are tentative, I mean tentative because we are still in the planning stages with little time to work with. Event to be sponsored by OASIS, escorted in by Hollywood Limousines, held at Lou’s Blues in Indian Harbor Beach. He is due to be back in this area around the 13^th of July and the party to be held the following Saturday which would be the 17^th.

Please let me know if you plan on supporting this event so we can get a good head count.

Like I said, this is a tentative plan so things can change quickly.