Taking life for granted

I walk through the park nearly every day from the gym. Yesterday, I decided to take a phot of the path, in black and white. Not sure, why! I am not a photographer, or a budding photographer. Today, I decided to stop and take in my surroundings and take a photo. The only time, I take photos are off the kids, due to the fact I feel they grow too fast.
Later, at home, I looked at the photo, almost in a trance. Not because of the beauty of the photo. Simply because of one thing………………………….
I have walked this path, over a thousand times, and not one time, have I realised the beauty of it. It made me realise that there are so many things, I take for granted in life. Sure, I have my good times, which feel too unreal now…………..sometimes it feels like the end of my world and throws me, and makes me question who I am.
Sometimes, if I stop – listen and think for one moment, I would see beauty all the time. Not when my life is good and things are going good. This is not the meaning of seeing beauty. The beauty is in the appreciation of life regardless of how you want to see it, see it for what it really is……………
We all know life is too short, so why do we continually take it for granted.

Sedition

1. What types of books do you write?

I write political thrillers. Sedition is first of what I expect to be many. As a television reporter (my day job), I love covering politics and so it's a natural extension for me.

2. What is the latest book you have written?

Sedition is my first published book. It takes place in Washington DC in the near (undefined) future. It's a modern adaptation of a real political plot that happened in 1820s England. A group of disaffected patriots didn't like the direction in which their government was headed. They devised a plan to assassinate the prime minister and his cabinet. There are a lot of political parallels to the sentiment then and the climate in the US today. So I played with the history of that plot and mixed it with the reality of today. It's a book that, I think, seamlessly blends reality with fiction. I wouldn't say I write like Dan Brown, but I use the same tools. I make it such that the reader asks, "Wait! Did that really happen?" Then they Google it to find out where the reality ends and my fiction begins. In fact, I created a website that allows the reader to explore some of those real events, real places, real artwork, and real documents discussed in the book. It's a real companion to the book and it enhances the reading experience. At least I hope it does.

Sedition Website

3. Is it part of a series, if so which one?

It's not a part of a series. But I've gotten such a great reception to the primary "villain" in the book that I'm likely to write another book that focuses on him. His name is Sir Spencer and he, without exception, is everyone's favorite character in the book. I think it'd be fun to explore a spin-off with him as the central figure.

4. When did you start writing?

I started writing as a young kid and I've never stopped. But I didn't write my first novel until I was in my late 20s. It wasn't very good. But it was a great learning experience.

5. Why did you start writing?

I love to read. And I love the idea of being transported somewhere else. So the thought of being able to provide the same escape for someone else was really appealing.

6. Who are your influences?

I've read almost all of Michael Crichton's books. I love his detail. I also like Dan Brown's ability to weave research into his narrative. Maybe my favorite book ever, though, is Animal Farm by George Orwell.

7. What can we expect from you in the near future? Book signing events, other details

I'm working on a new book (about 1/3 of the way through) called SECESSION. It's a Texas-centric book that explores Texas' place in the political conversation. It follows one man's unwitting role in a plot that combines politics, energy, and nanotechnology. I'm probably a year out from publishing that one.

Comfortably Awkward By Kenny Scudero

Book Review: Kenny´s first novel, and a book worth reading. Why? Because, we all can relate to it, we strive to achieve something so badly. The down side, what happens when you get it! The disappointments, the confusion, the reality check, of I am in my dream job, so why am I still not happy? Intriguing, and different, because there are not many books about men and their confusions and feelings in different situation’s. I felt this book captured that, and this intrigued me. It is a mixture of the ´Firm´, an insight into the American Stockbroking dream, with a mixture of a confused young adult. He is now pursuing his lifelong dream, or so he thought.......................

Definition of being a Mother

I remember when I had my first son. My first thoughts were what is all the fuss about. When I was younger the number of children I wanted changed from 6 to 0 as I grew older. For the simple reason, I looked at some mothers and they looked like they had been in World War 2, eever since they started having children. Their children, looked like they lived in palaces. When he was a baby, I recall, getting him ready, feeding him, bathing him and thinking this is not so hard. I could take him out to the park all day, and go clubbing all night. Life seemed too good. There were these constant debates in the media, whether, it is better to be a stay home Mum or go to work etc. Unfortunately, I never had the choice. The day it hit me, the Definition of Being a Mother, was when I was preparing him to go to school, and I had not enrolled him in any school! I thought I was all prepared listing him the year before the school year. There were Mum´s that had listed their child since they were pregnant. My first thought, what was I doing? And it was too soon, then? I was enjoying him and my life was fine, so why stress myself so early for no reason. From that moment onwards it was a constant struggle, not only for schools, but life in general. This is when I felt "Motherhood". This is when I began to question, my role as a mother. This was the time I had to think about his future, and how he would get there. Morales that I had to install in him, influences and choices I had to make for his life. Before, he went to the park and played with anyone. Now, I would watch him hanging around certain people and think, I do not want you to be my son´s friend. I never understood, why mothers felt the need to go back to work when their kids started school. I felt this was the time they needed to be there, not only because of the school hours, but simply because this is when the real hard work began. I would like to know other person´s thoughts and If they can relate to this day, i.e. when the definition of being a mother or father began for them………………… THE HIGHS, the lows, The Inbetweens, now on sale at Amazon, click this link to purchase

Carnival

Carnival

Our love was like a carnival
So bold, so bright - so brash
And ended like a carnival
In penitence and ash.

I danced all night at carnival
Now morning comes - I must
Walk soberly to early mass,
Remembering all is dust.

--Tina Rath

Never wrote this poem, but am absolutely in love with it........

Decisions

THE HIGHS, the lows, The Inbetweens, now on sale at Amazon, click this link to purchase

Decision to be educated, based on the fear of being illiterate.

Decision to speak, based on the fear of never being heard.

Decision to hate, based on the fear of learning the truth.

Decision to be a friend, based on the fear of being ignored.

Decision to be a mother, based on the fear of not being in control.

Decision to travel, based on the fear of being ignorant.

Decision to swim, based on the fear of drowning.

Decision to be happy, based on the fear of a life of unhappiness.

Decision to sing, based on the fear of living in poverty.

Decision to marry, based on the fear of eternal solitude.

Decision to drink, based on the fear of remembering.

Decision to write, based on the fear of never expressing one´s fears´.