Goals vs Resolutions

Or -- How to eat an elephant.

 

THANK GOD! The holidays are over. We’re all as fat as a tick, the bowl games are over, the hangovers have abated, and we’re ready for some normalcy.

 

This is the time of year most folks make New year resolutions. It’s a time honored tradition designed to shatter self esteem. Pure unadulterated self-promises to do or not to do certain things. A month later, the habit they chose to kick, the gym they promised to join, the secret resolve that sneaked back to the forefront and they still have the same problem(s) with an added burden of guilt and shame.

Sound familiar? Your steely resolve for the following years is: NOT TO MAKE ANY RESOLUTIONS!!! But somehow as the holiday’s approach and thoughts turn to the new year, your subconscious begins tallying items to place on your resolution list.

This is the time to submit. Don’t fight this start of the year assessment. Consider the phrase; resolution list! RESOLUTION LIST. Now write it this way; RESOLUTION

Just write a list. Write it in ambiguous terms. Here’s an example; my own general list for 2014. There are no resolves. No set-up for failures. Just a list. Don’t number them… place in random order.

• Continue healthy living — diet and exercise.
• Complete and publish a couple more novels.
• Introduce folks as to ‘My style of OZONE THERAPY’. Anti-Aging therapy.
• Phase out my blog. Spend the time on novels and promotion.
• Diversify my OLD TREE manufacturing facilities and assembly points.
• Embrace, configure, and promote the ‘International Wellness’ concept.
• Continue franchising the ENFORCED MEMORIZATION TECHNIQUE in Asia and other parts of the world.
• Package my novel/screenplays into salable units on Amazon.

Somewhere on the list will be an asterisk on a task. A MUST DO!

* File my address with the clowns at the embassy concerning “PROOF OF LIFE”!!

** Hire a new accountant in the USA — fire the old one!

*** open a new bank account in _____???

These are important tasks that need to be on a list. Why this list? Simple… If every task is on the same list, you will notice some of the other general statement tasks (subliminal reminders)as you plow through the ‘must do tasks’.

I’m not suggesting the daily household list; buy oranges, finish Charles Krauthammer’s book, wash the car, take out garbage, etc.

However, there is one of the general goals on your overall list that needs to be placed on the daily chores list — your health!

Focus on your health. Do what’s necessary to delay or reverse the aging process.

People have a tendency to make wishes rather than goals when it comes to money or accomplishments. “I wish I had a better job. I wish I could save more. I wish I could sell more widgets. Or my favorite; I WISH I COULD WRITE A BOOK!”

Anything that can be quantified should be broken down to the lowest common denominator. Saving — how much? Over how much time?

For example: to save $2000.00 in a year (a small elephant), one should break it down. $166.61 per month. Okay, that’s $38.16 per week or $5.54 a day. So, that’s not so hard. Skip the Starbuck’s, pack your own lunch, stop smoking, skip the beer after work. You name it…$5.54 per day stuffed into a jar will deliver you $2000.00 in a year. Deposit the monthly amount in an interest bearing account and it will grow even faster.

Okay, let’s write a novel in a year. Most of my novels are around 70,000 words. (that is 280 -300 pages — a larger elephant)Again, we break it down. Use 11 months. 6363 words a month. 1480 words a week. 211 words a day. Less than a page a day will create a 70,000 word novel in eleven months. The editor has it for a month and BINGO! You have your best seller.

Lose weight — same program. Make a reasonable goal over a long period of time. Then subdivide down to so much loss per week.

Drinking, smoking, biting your nails, drug addiction and other personal habits need to be addressed differently. Seek help!

Manifesting good or bad into your life is always self thoughts and self talk. Make you list and then remember to review it once in a while (LIKE EVERY DAY!)

Understand the rules? Be general and reasonable with your desired achievements. Anything that can be quantified can be broken down to the lowest common denominator. Thus you have turned a WISH into a doable GOAL.

Achievement is always based on discipline. Even the simplest task can be considered an achievement. Not doing some “jive dance in the end zone” achievement, but an achievement none-the-less. Saving five bucks a day and stuffing it into a jar… that’s an achievement. A simple discipline. Writing a page a day for your novel. That’s an achievement. Take small bites over a long time span and soon you will have devoured the entire elephant.

**** this is my last post for some time.  I'll be concentrating on the two novels I am currently writing. Have a swell 2014!

WESTERN WRITER?

Yesterday (New Year day)I spent the day with a close friend. He and his wife are partners in a fishing resort near Limones… (a long way from David). Rex introduced me to some of his lodge guests as Bob Hatting, the western writer. I was about to offer a retort and explain that I write in different genre’s and then opted to remain quiet. The folks left us to our project. But while measuring and cutting of sheet aluminum for my new Ozone Generator case, I began to take inventory in my mind.

Maybe I am a western writer. Although only two of my novels are true period westerns; BOOMER & HALF-BREED, after some reflection, I tend to lean in that direction. Several of my screenplays are definitely western in nature; albeit contemporary. Same with PARTNERS, UNTAMED, CRYSTAL COWBOY and TRUST ME, the novel I’m currently writing. All are contemporary westerns; modern day ride, rope, and shoot stories. MURDER IN PANAMA and the two sequels, REVOLUTION OF FOOLS and HART RULES are in no way western or even western in nature. Same with my novels, EXPAT, ALASKA BE DAMNED and the LAST FRUIT STAND ON GUAM. There are characters that have a western upbringing but the stories and settings are contemporary and have an exotic bent. Same with My two latest novels, TRES PIEDRAS and SHOOTER -- Characters with western backgrounds but set in contemporary times and foreign countries.

Thirteen novels and six screenplays. Soon a fourteenth novel. Twenty stories in total. Ten are western. I guess novel number fifteen will determine my label.

PANAMA POLARITY — EASY GOING VS WILLFUL IGNORANCE

Panama is a great place to live. I love it here — the weather, the people, the beauty, and of course the prices in comparison to the rest of the world. That being said, doing business in Panama or attempting to build something can cause heart seizures.

It’s disconcerting to me to realize that my adopted country, Panama, is the absolute definition of the phrase, WILLFUL IGNORANCE. The government actually endorses and fosters this attitude toward those character traits. No time of the year is this WI (willful Ignorance) more prevalent than the holiday season. Panama begins their holidays the first part of November; celebrating all manners of historical events. Then Mothers day… then more celebrations of historical events and finally the Xmas season — through January 1st. Soon thereafter, there are the carnivals... Another reason to party. Each year it’s the same. The same parades, the same food, the same music and the same rituals. Also the productivity is the same — low to none. Attempting to get anything accomplished during this period; November to April is almost impossible. In North America and Europe, the slack time begins just before Thanksgiving and ends the day after New Year. Productivity is almost nil during those times as well. Now -- double it. That’s Panama.

Any one wishing to construct a home or commercial building during these months — November to April, (the dry season — the best weather for construction) is looking at frustrating times. Even the highest rated contractors have no control over their employees, subcontractors, or suppliers during these months.

I was asked by several people why I was establishing my Ozone Generator business somewhere other than Panama. After living here almost 10 years, the thought makes me shudder at the failure which would ensue. I’m manufacturing a precise medical style instrument. To entrust the manufacture, assembly or even the shipping to some of this Willful Ignorance culture would be akin to programmed failure. I’ve tried several businesses here in Panama. They all languished because of this WI factor.

I’ll continue to live in Panama after my forays into various other countries to establish the manufacturing and assembly of my Ozone Generators. Like I said at the top of this posting. I like living in Panama.

PHASE OUT!

CANCEL MY SUBSCRIPTION!

As an author with a historically long list of accomplishments and failures I have felt compelled to speak out about a number of subjects on a regular basis. My blog represented my ideology and the signs of the times as seen through my eyes. This blog has been my platform for several years. It focused on my novels and other events in my life. Once in a while it focused on Panama, my adopted second country. However, I’ve chosen to gradually retire my public life so this blog will become dormant quite soon.

This is not the swan song posting on Blair-Pacific Publishing but you can see the edges of finality from here. My writing will be taking a back seat to several new and fresh endeavors.

WAKE UP!

At the ripe age of 71, is sometimes amazes me that other men my age are so naïve as to the way the world or life works. Either they have had no failures or disappointments, (a sheltered and boring life), or they just DON’T GET IT! It also occurs to me that most have a wife or significant other that is just as clueless. This is disconcerting on many levels… (apathy X 2) 

I understand my background in journalism has enabled me to sniff out certain untruths and read between the lines of news reports and political rhetoric. However, if someone is close to my age, surely they have seen the signs over the years; witnessed the changes in freedom of expression and freedoms of choices. They would have seen the shift to global economics where the multi-national companies control the resources and wealth of the world. Surely these people are aware of how insignificant individuals have become in this new world order. It’s amazing how many are still clueless.

Changes in retirement age, health care systems, and the staggering national debts of most nations, suggest that the world suffers from a chapter 11 type of bankruptcy. It needs reorganization. Who do you think will fund the reorganization? The seniors; Governments don’t like old folks. It’s a very obvious and alarming truth. Everyone’s retirement fund is in jeopardy. Especially in the USA and Europe. 

I always thought it was an author’s responsibility to expose certain truths or question the unbalanced justices of life. In most of my fictional work there were subtle messages; thought provoking scenes or statements by the protagonists that registered in the readers subconscious. I’m sure some of my readers got the messages. Most didn’t. It was my inner self that compelled me to try and fix or change the world by these subtle messages. Who was I kidding? It’s like a fart in a windstorm!

So, I’m embarking on a new — direct method of change. Systems & ideas I am passionate about; Ozone Therapy, Sack House Construction, Palm Oil for diesel engines, Tide Pumps, Fish Farming, living off the grid and survivalist methodology.

Focusing on these systems will create a bit of controversy. I’ve never been one to be reserved or half-way about missions or projects of which I’m passionate; it’s full court presses for me. Some of my inventions will ruffle the feathers of the MULTI’s -- big time. The oil industry, electrical industry, and the medical industry will be affected by my systems if I can’t stay under their radar. Will they retaliate? WTFK?

Look at history. It seems to guide our future.

Were the inventions of the 100 mile per gallon carburetor, cold fusion and a gaggle of other energy saving inventions totally bogus? Were they myths — wishful thinking? Or were they inventions purchased by the multi-national conglomerates? Were the people who invented these things just greedy? Or were they threatened with harm or harm to their families. “Hmmm, let me think about the choices — Either I sell you my invention for gazillions of dollars or watch some goon rape my wife and daughter while another gangster pulls out my fingernails with pliers… Yep, that’s a tough one!”

That’s not the scene from a novel or movie. Veiled threats like those are applied daily in all manners of industries. People are killed for the Coin-of-the-Realm.

Perhaps I’m paranoid, but I personally believe it’s prudent to be cautious as I implement systems that may threaten these powerful industries. Hence, the phase out.

ALASKA BE DAMNED -BACK STORY

ALASKA BE DAMNED is enrolled in Amazon's newest promotional program.  It will be available at a special price for the next 48 hours.  Take advantage of the promotion. 
To celebrate this new offering, I'm running the back-story.

I believe it’s very important for readers to understand that this novel does not slam the state of Alaska.  I loved living in the ‘last frontier’.  I appreciated and marveled at the people, their attitudes and their rugged spirits.  The diversity and beauty of Alaska is breathtaking.  It’s also dangerous. A brown bear can eat your ass but you can also be eaten by the parasites that prey on the working class and business-folks of Alaska. RWH

My number one novel in sales was written during and just after I left my stint as an Alaska commercial fisherman. Those years, the middle-aged life chapters, were truly chocked full of excitement and adventure.  The money was good but the adventure of the unknown was omnipresent.  One could be  anchored in a small inlet that was as calm and smooth as a mill pond.  Three hours later a williwaw would stir that cove into a cauldron of wind, waves and chop.  Dragging anchor was a given so the danger of crashing on the rocks was always a threat.  Factor in mechanical problems, drunken deckhands, fish prices, and the ever-present weather conditions and you have an exciting time in Alaska; an adventure every day. 

One aspect that spoiled the experience was the constant harassment by the U.S. Coast Guard, the fish cops, and the red tape of just doing business from a boat. It was enough to curdle a person’s milk.  In my case, I elected to push back. That was an adventure that is partially chronicled in my novel.

One of the most disturbing aspects of cruising around Alaska was learning of the large number of people who die in boating accidents on an annual basis. Many of them unreported.  Fortunately, my crew and I were able to rescue -- not just lend a helping hand, but actually rescue from certain death over a dozen people. Nine separate incidents where lives were at stake, my crew and I saved the day. Our reward was undying gratitude from not only the people rescued but also from the fishing fleet in general.  Unfortunately, we were chastised by the coast guard (notice I didn’t put them in caps?) The castigation came from not following protocol and procedures.  I had made decisions based on the most expedient method to save peoples lives and property; including ignoring voices on the radio that were disrupting and contradicting my rescue processes.  I always strived to help the poor souls that were either drowning, near catastrophe or in distress.  Most times I was breaking rules and protocol set forth by fifedomes of the Coast Guard watch commanders. I always assumed it was more important to save a life rather than succumb to authority. It’s been my personal millstone for the better part of my adult life.

“Coast Guard, Sitka, this is Wolf Bay. Listen up, Ensign Pulver, ‘cause this is my last transmission to you. The wind is blowing out of the north at eighty knots and Chatham Strait has breakers upward to sixty feet. This is a Class A storm, Pulver. Do not, I repeat, do not send a cutter, a battleship, or any other type of vessel into this storm. All parties are fine… doing five by five. We have ample supplies and shelter, but the radio battery is almost gone. I will oblige you with paperwork after this is over. Do you read me, Ensign Pulver?”

I think the crowning moment in their stupidity and my blatant disregard of their orders came when I was told to ‘stand down’ in my attempt to rescue a fisherman who had crashed into a deadhead (sunken log) in Chatham Straight.  His vessel had been totally destroyed and sunk but he was able to reach a rock outcropping near the shore line.  To reach him was almost impossible.  Any attempt with my skiff would surely put both of us on that cluster of rocks.  Soooo, I pulled the emergency life raft off my big boat and lowered it into my skiff.  I then drove the skiff upwind from the rock and the fisherman.  When I inflated the life raft, it took off like a kite in the strong winds.  I was finally able to use the wind and the current and allowed it to drift toward the rock.  The fisherman was able to crawl inside and I then towed him back to my eighty-five foot vessel. The fisherman I saved became a good friend.  His family and fellow fishermen applauded my rescue.  Later in the week, twenty minutes from arrival at the dock, my vessel was boarded by a 20 year old acne faced E-2 seaman from Topeka Kansas and two other snot nosed coasties. They inspected my vessel and I was issued five tickets for safety violations; including one for not having an operable life raft in place.  That was the cork blower!

I took the offensive and used whatever public forum was available (including the VHF and SSB airwaves) and began slamming the USCG, US Forest Service and a host of other US agencies that locked down the State of Alaska.  I was very careful to not include the rank-in-file coasties; those that risked their lives everyday saving people.  I targeted the upper echelon; those dopes that sat in the warm cushy offices and wrote rules and regulations for their drones to enforce.  I attacked all the politicians, the big multi-nationals, and the cops that enforced their doctrines.  I was finally threatened with arrest or worse if I didn’t pipe down or leave the state.  I quieted my rants, put all my boats and real estate on the market, and began ALASKA BE DAMNED.  A year later, with everything sold, I took my partially finished manuscript back to the lower 48 and hibernated for a year; finishing the first draft of ABD (originally 260,000 words). 

Suddenly the night turned a bright orange-white as the flare Ben shot off hung just over the barge. After a few moments it was dark again, until Tom turned the spotlight back on. Meg’s eyes followed the spotlight as she moved the Ancient Mariner forward of the barge. Ben aimed the light at the waterline of the anchored barge and the towline became visible. He shined from the top of the barge to where it entered the water. Then he then pointed the light high on the logs above the barge deck. Silhouetted in the light was the figure of a man. He was flashing a small light so they could see it from the Ancient Mariner.

 

Since completing ALASKA BE DAMNED, I have moved several times and have always compared my current location to that of Alaska.  I will often reread the novel to re-experience the beauty and grandeur of that great territory.

UNTAMED IS FREE – 1ST 100

UNTAMED -- BACK STORY

Characters, Curtis Dawson and RC Bellars were created in my novel, PARTNERS back in 1981.  They remained true-to-form in the second writing of PARTNERS (partners 2.0) and also into the screenplay, PARTNERS.   The script was optioned but the movie was never made so the script rights were returned.  Several years later a producer of some merit wanted me to write five (5) screenplays for a mini-series on HBO; all on Spec, of course… Negotiations lasted almost a year.  In that time frame I began sketching shorts of some of the experiences, Rick and I had either been directly involved in or had witnessed firsthand.  The stories seemed to grow in my mind and I was almost finished with the first screenplay before the negotiations were complete.

I finally condescended when the producer sent me a check for ten grand; once he approved one, he would send me ten thousand for each following script; for a total of $50,000. 

I wrote two prequels to the Partners screenplay.  NO WAY & UP NORTH.  I then spent some time rewriting PARTNERS so the three scripts would fit together smoothly.  Later, I wrote TRUST ME.  All of these screenplays were stand-alone movies; two hours in length.  I sent this guy the two prequels and he was supposed to send me another ten grand.  That didn’t happen but I kept writing anyway. 

At no time in all of this non-communication had I signed over any rights. The end of the story?  NOTHING!  Never a peep or a centavo mas. So, I had four screenplays with no buyer.  I turned the internet and the mail service black with submissions to producers and directors.  After a couple of years of this lame nonsense, I discovered e-books. I posted the screenplays on line and sold a few…the format is entirely wrong for the Kindle and Nook.   I decided to write the screenplays into novels.  That was the case with NO WAY and UP NORTH.  Combined they became the outline for UNTAMED. All the incidents in the screenplays were based on experiences my riding partner, Rick, and I had back in our earlier years.  The 1970’s and early 1980’s seem a long way back in history for some of the younger generation. For Rick and me this was the last of the truly ‘OLD WEST’ experiences.  The RIDE, ROPE & SHOOT, was leaving the west; we were the ones waving goodbye. That mentality and value set may be depicted in novels or movies but in real life; it’s gone.  It was a fun time in our lives and I really enjoyed writing the scripts and later the novel.  I’ve yet to turn TRUST ME into a novel. I’m 26,000 words into the conversion. 

UNTAMED has received 5 star reviews from those who have discovered the novel. 

MY PERSONAL HISTORY WITH OZONE THERAPY

Yesterday, I sent the manuscript for a small booklet concerning Ozone Therapy to my editor.  Periodically I will post excerpts from this manuscript.  Unlike my other books, this is not fiction.  It's an abstract -- a truthful accounting of my association with this form of alternative medicine. Comments are welcome.

I took my first Ozone injection from an Ozone Therapy practitioner in Arizona, fourteen years ago. I had accompanied my riding partner, Rick, to one of his therapy sessions in an attempt to reverse and eliminate his prostate cancer. My friend had been taking these injections for the better part of a month and had experienced excellent results. The ozone generator was a one-of-a-kind custom made in 1957. The unit produced strong and consistent O3.

The practitioner (Doctor Carl) hooked a butterfly needle to a glass syringe and filled the needle and tube with saline solution. He squeezed out some saline to assure there was no ambient air in the needle, disconnected the syringe and capped the tube. He then filled the syringe with OZONE GAS and placed the syringe back on the butterfly needle tube. He inserted the needle into Rick’s vein (on the inside of his elbow) He slowly injected the gas into RC’s vein. (I was expecting to have to give mouth-to-mouth to my riding partner when I witnessed the gas disappearing into his bloodstream. I wasn’t fond of the prospect)

Rick took 75 cc’s without batting an eye. This was his twelfth session with Doctor Carl and the dosage was increased each time.

Two days later, I returned with RC and mustered the courage to take 30 cc’s — just for grins. (see chapter FOUR for my first major malady)

The injection I received was slightly uncomfortable but not so much that I avoided using this therapy (30 - 60 cc’s) to prevent any maladies. A month later the practitioner informed us he no longer had an Ozone generator. The one he had been using was a borrowed unit and the owner needed it returned. By this time Rick had been given a clean bill of health by the medical community — the doctor and the lab. He no longer required extensive treatments but another patient of the practitioner was mid-way through her cervical cancer treatment.

Rick, Doctor Carl, and I began looking for another Ozone generator. We bought seven different units from various parts of the world over a period of eight months. None of them were satisfactory. The injections and healing capabilities were substandard. RC invested over eight-thousand dollars with a guy who claimed he could build one using the transformer from a neon lighting system. I guess the eight-thousand wasn’t enough. The clown never produced anything. Meanwhile I was off on one of my adventures to Central America and had the good fortune to run into a former “Share the Wealth” client in the airport in Mexico City. We each had a three hour layover to catch-up after fifteen years of no contact.

BACKSTORY: At one time Ian and I had worked together to install my performance bonus system (STW)in a company he was running in Seattle. His position as the CEO was specifically orchestrated to ‘operate and enhance’ the large corporation for its founder who wanted to sell out. The founder and majority stockholder, Peter Brockman, had learned he was suffering from colon cancer. The doctors prognosis was grim — he had less than a year to live when I arrived on the scene. To shorten the story I was able to install my system; six months later we had ‘dressed up the bride’ and I was instrumental in procuring a buyer for the business. Meanwhile, the clock was ticking on Brockman. He left the USA and searched for alternate forms of cancer treatment; first in Mexico and finally Costa Rica. He purchased a nice estate on the coast Costa Rica in Guanacaste province and of course proved everyone wrong by using his genius mind.

Peter had been taking Ozone Therapy from a unlicensed practitioner in Liberia, Costa Rica. The man used a generator that was strong but was still a corona discharge unit. Peter was taking injections every day so he was experiencing considerable pain because of the unstable effect of straight corona. His genius went to work and he designed an built the prototype of the machines now being built in Nogales, Mexico — the ones I use. Brockman cured his cancer with the use of his newly designed Ozone Generator. By the time I accidentally ran into Ian at the airport terminal in Mexico City, Brockman had been in business for several years, producing the Ozone generators he credited with saving his life and the lives of others. He’d hired Ian to take over the robust business. Ian’s mission was to relocate the factory to Mexico; specifically Nogales on the border with Arizona.

When I asked why the relocation to Nogales from Costa Rica, Ian issued a tirade against the Costa Rican government and their international trade policies.

Not to digress any further, I was able to acquire one of the Brockman designed Ozone Generators. The price back then was $3000.00. It changed my life and actually saved my life years later.