Steve Martaindale

Since early December, I’ve been tweeting each day a quick note on something that happened on that date in the past. Here is a compilation of April events. To keep up with them in real time, use the link in the right column to follow me, smartaindale, on Twitter.

April 1: In 1970, President Richard M. Nixon signed a measure banning cigarette advertising on radio and television, to take effect after Jan. 1, 1971.

April 2: In 1968, the science-fiction film “2001: A Space Odyssey,” produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick, had its world premiere in Washington D.C.

Continue reading Glance at Aprils past

April 23 is National Take a Chance Day, according to NationalDayCalendar.com, where the notice urges:

“On this day, take a chance on your dreams and your goals. Mark Twain once said ‘Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowline, sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.’”

The timing is particularly poignant for me as my wife and I are setting out today for our third summer living our dream.

It began in 2013 living and working in Yellowstone National Park. Following a fantastic experience there, the temptation was great to return there the next year, but our dream was to keep moving, exploring and discovering.

Last summer was spent in Mount Rushmore National Memorial. This summer, we’re shuffling things a bit, working in a theme park in upstate New York.

Many people – some old friends and a great number of tourists with whom we interact while on our adventures – have said something like, “I would love to do what you’re doing,” but we know most of us get too comfortable in the day-to-day to take a chance. And that’s not necessarily bad; it’s what many really want.

We talked for some time about our dream and whether we could or should pursue it. Then, in the fall of 2011, I had a tumor successfully removed from my bladder and we took that as a sign to move forward. We drastically downsized our lifestyle, my wife retired from teaching as soon as she was eligible and we took a step off the cliff.

If you have a yearning to try a new career, to change what you’re doing with your life, to travel, to … whatever … what better time to start working on it than National Take a Chance Day?

It doesn’t have to be put into effect today (though it could) but start planning. Set a deadline.

Be sure and let us know what you want to do.

Does the name Jacqueline Gareau ring a bell?

What about Rosie Ruiz?

Their names are tied together in history, but I’m betting many more of you recognize the latter name. I know that’s true of me.

On this date in 1980, 35 years ago, Jacqueline Gareau won the Boston Marathon in record time, though that fact was not acknowledged for another week because Rosie Ruiz crossed the finish line first. While Ruiz still maintains she ran the entire race, officials determined she somehow left the course and sprinted back into competition near the finish line.

The point here, though, is not to argue the facts of the race but to question what we remember and why.

Gareau was awarded the win in record time. Ruiz was labeled a cheater, yet her name is arguably the better known today.

Am I right and, if so, what does that mean?

We were dining in a Whataburger (a wonderful fast-food franchise popular in the south) the other day and my attention was drawn to a table of four old-timers … meaning they were even older than me.

One of the three guys was particularly loud and I eventually figured out why. He was talking on his cell phone.

Now, talking on a cell phone in a restaurant is one of those particularly unpopular things that people like to fuss about. To be honest, I have no problem with it if you can talk in a normal voice and, let’s face it, the fast-food environment is not the same as a high-end establishment.

This guy, however, was making a nuisance of himself and I finally saw why. He had the phone on speaker and had placed it on the table. His business was so important he wanted everyone to know what he was doing.

We hear of an aging person’s “second childhood,” that point in decreasing mental abilities where one behaves more like a child. The fellow at Whataburger caused us to wonder if maybe second childhood is preceded by second “teenhood” in the aging process.

You know how some teens just assume everyone wants to hear their music or an amazing story about what happened last night when so-and-so went out with so-and-so.

Have you made any observations of second teenhood?

Perhaps I should apply for a grant to study this theory.

NOTE: THIS OFFER HAS NOW EXPIRED.

So, you want one of my paperbacks for a bargain. Yeah, personalized, autographed and mailed to you in the United States for a mere $7. Act now and we just might make it happen. Why? When I publish a new book, I order several for promotional use, etc. For a reason I no longer remember, I bought quite a few more of “The Reporter and the Penguin.”

Continue reading Get your ‘Penguin’ while it’s hot

What is it I’m missing about Pinterest?

Judging from all the excitement I hear from others, there’s something I’m not doing right.

So … hit up the comments box and educate me. And, if it helps, my Pinterest handle is smartaindale.

Thanks.

I was invited, a couple of years ago, to meet with a book club to talk about my first book. I had no idea what to expect, but I certainly wasn’t thinking it would be about my bio on the back of the book.

Near the end, it says, “He and his educator wife, Leah, have one daughter, a son-in-law, a grandson and absolutely no more pets.” The question was about the “absolutely no more pets” part.

Continue reading No more pets?

Since early December, I’ve been tweeting each day a quick note on something that happened on that date in the past. Here is a compilation of March events. To keep up with them in real time, use the link in the right column to follow me, smartaindale, on Twitter.

March 1: In 1961, President John F. Kennedy signed an executive order establishing the Peace Corps.

March 2: In 1836, Texas declared its independence from Mexico.

Continue reading March in history

This is something I’ve seldom talked about, but I was mugged once.

I don’t want to overdramatize this because I was not hurt and lost the most minimal amount of money. More than anything, I was embarrassed.

Continue reading Stick ’em up

See my wife in the photo? No? It was taken last fall at the ruins of a Roman stage in Cartagena, Spain. She’s right there center-stage, but I could barely see her and couldn’t hear a word. Such is the feeling I have right now.

First, a commercial message I will explain later: My latest book is available in paperback and Kindle. You can get either by first clicking here.

The explanation: Artists are notoriously bad at marketing. No secret there. So it’s no great surprise I made a serious tactical error when my latest book was released week before last.

This became clear in the past 24 hours as several people asked if the book “The Reporter and the Sloth” was available. See the problem? These are people who obviously wanted the book but had not heard it was out. Man, this shyness problem of mine is killing me.

Commercial break No. 2: Want to know a little more about the book? Click here.

Seriously, I sometimes have to remind myself the overriding purpose of this blog is to give exposure to my books. I mean, this is my retirement plan. Sure, I want to write about all kinds of things and I will, but the book message must come up occasionally. Bear with me.

Commercial break No. 3: This is my fourth book in the JP Weiscarver Mystery Series. Read more about each by clicking the “Steve’s Books” tab at the top. All are for sale through Amazon by clicking here. Also, your favorite book store should be able to order a paperback for you.

And tell your friends. You can see I need the help.

I just received an email from myself. The date on it is Feb. 4, 2031, so it’s almost 16 years from now:

“Howdy, Me the Younger. This is Future You attempting to take advantage of a predicted anomaly in solar flares, sun spots and the position of Mars in relation to Jupiter. I don’t know, but supposedly I might be able to slip out an old-fashioned email so it is delivered to me … uh, you … approximately 15 years earlier.

Continue reading Howdy from 2031

Growing up, we often heard from grandparents that they “don’t need anything,” making it difficult to shop for them and causing us to think they’re just saying that for some reason.

And then, with a little luck, we get to the point where our actual needs are well enough satisfied. Sure, the house isn’t made for a movie star and the vehicle doesn’t turn heads. Our clothing purchases are based more on comfort than style. One day, however, we realize we really don’t need anything.

Continue reading I don’t need anything

In case you missed it, my new book is out.

For a little tease and links to paperback and Kindle copies, check out this page inside.

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity.”

I came across these words from Amelia Earhart this morning. While I agree, there’s one other path worth mentioning.

Many and many a year ago, I was working at a very small newspaper, The Brenham Banner-Press in Central Texas, and picked up a lesson I’ve often applied in life. At that time, not many newspapers printed what was called process color, where color images are separated into cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK). It involves running the sheet of paper through four different presses, each applying one of the colors.

Continue reading Live and learn

Prior to the release of “The Reporter and the Sloth,” we had a little fun on JP Weiscarver’s Facebook page (which is one reason you should like his page … you’ll find a link in the right column). Since the bulk of the book takes place on a hiking trail, JP invited readers to share a hiking photo, or at least an outdoor photo. There were no other rules, but I said I would award a free book to whoever “moved me” the most with his or her photo. So, the winner is:

This was submitted by RussellandScarlet Raborn, taken at Hawksbill Crag near Ponca, Arkansas. Why did this move me? It is the essence of hiking. Hitting the trail gives one an opportunity to get places nobody else can. The bonus is when it’s also an amazing view. Congratulations and thanks for sharing.

Other entries included:

               Continue reading Take a hike

We’ve had a few days to adjust to daylight-saving time, so do you feel better about it? To be honest, because of my weird sleeping habits, it never affects me.

While I have no problem adjusting to clock changes, I find them absurd in this day and age. But I wouldn’t stop at eliminating time changes; I wish to do away with time zones altogether.

Their origin made sense, but with today’s worldwide connectivity, they are a hassle. Set the whole world on one time (and on a 24-hour clock since a.m. and p.m. would no longer fit most places) and let us get used to that change one time and not have to rock our worlds twice a year.

Then, if you tell Grandma you’ll call her at 18:00 while you’re on vacation, neither of you have to convert time zones. Same applies to online business meetings and airplane schedules.

And it gives us two fewer things to complain about every year.

NOTE: This event has already happened, so don’t bother trying to sign up. We made our goal, however; thanks to all who helped.

“A little help?” Make sure you read it with the question mark. What it immediately brings to mind for me is warming up on a baseball or softball field and an errant throw gets past a player who calls out to another player near the ball: “A little help?”

That is, “Please throw the ball back to me.”

Continue reading ‘A little help?’

NOTE: This offer has passed, but there will be more for the next book …. stay tuned.

Would you like one of the first copies of “The Reporter and the Sloth” … FREE?

Here’s the deal. Much of the “Sloth” story takes place on a hiking trail (Did you figure that out from the cover?) near Oldport. For an opportunity to receive a personalized, autographed paperback, create a post on JP Weiscarver’s Facebook page that includes a photo you took in the great outdoors.

If you’re not familiar with JP Weiscarver, where have you been? He is the lead character in my book series and he has his own Facebook page. Go there, like the page and then post your photo.

Continue reading Did you say ‘free book’?

When was the last time someone told you they were proud of you? Or some recent time? Or any time?

Dwell on that a minute. Pick out one in particular, one in which you more vividly recall the way it made you feel.

Continue reading ‘I am so proud of you’

Today is the 68th birthday of Rob Reiner, which is reason enough to feature one of Meathead’s movies this week.

Films he’s directed that I’ve given eight or more stars include “The Princess Bride,” “Misery,” “The Bucket List” and “A Few Good Men.” Let’s go with the 1992 drama featuring Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson and Demi Moore and concentrate on two good men.

Continue reading Rob Reiner

Here’s a sneak peek of the cover for the fourth book in the JP Weiscarver Mystery Series.

Release of “The Reporter and the Sloth” has been scheduled for the first day of spring, March 20, 2015.

Who thinks we should have some sort of promotional giveaway? Give me some ideas.

“Be there or be square.” Does one still say that today?

Regardless, here is a bit of a heads-up that you might want to keep an eye on JP Weiscarver’s Facebook page today.

If you’re new around here or haven’t explored my books yet (you know, like the “Steve’s Books” tab at the top of this page), JP Weiscarver is the lead character of my “The Reporter and…” series. He has his own FB page and you really should be following it.

If you haven’t done so already, go to the column on the right of the page and look for a line that says, “Follow JP Weiscarver on Facebook.” Continue reading A heads-up

It’s amazing how sometimes one struggles in the writing process to put a clear thought into a single paragraph and at other times the words seem to force their way out of one’s fingertips.

Suffice it to say things are rolling along in the writing of “The Reporter and the Sloth.”

Stay tuned.

It’s Valentine’s Day tomorrow, so this week’s Friday Flick must be about love … I believe it’s a law.

To be completely honest, I’m not a huge Valentine’s Day fan because it diminishes the importance of love the remaining 364.25 days a year. We all know it’s a Hallmark holiday and the only reasons so many people participate at the high-dollar level they do are fear and peer-pressure.

Continue reading Valentine’s Daze

Let’s keep this simple.

Love, don’t hate.

Whom should you love instead of hate?

African-American. Agnostic. Atheist. Blue-collar worker. Buddhist. Business owner. Care-giver. Child. Christian. Civil rights activist. Coffee Partier. Conservative. Democrat. Divorced. Employed. Empty nester. Firearms owner. Former spouse. Gay. Gun control advocate. Hindu. Home owner. Immigrant. Independent. Jew. Latino. Law enforcement officer. Lesbian. Liberal. Libertarian. Married. Mormon. Muslim. Native. Native American. Non-sinner. Orphan. Parent. Patient. Poor. Progressive. Pro-lifer. Protestant. Protester. Redneck. Renter. Republican. Retiree. Roman Catholic. Single. Sinner. Spouse. Straight. Tea Partier. Unemployed. Veteran. Wealthy. White. Women’s rights advocate. Yankee.

And anyone who doesn’t fit any of these categories.

Any questions?

Real quick poll … Just for fun, I plan to post something on my blog once a week about one of my favorite movies, a different film each week. Each will be short – something I liked about it, a special memory, some fun fact, etc. – and cover most genres and all decades of movie-making. Now, here’s the first problem … what to call it.

Comment below with one of the following:

1, Friday Flick

2, Flick Friday

3, Film Friday

4, Movie Memories

Voting has closed; Friday Flick was the winner.

The United States should be No. 1 in everything.

We hear some version of that from politicians and pundits all of the time. Good ol’ red-blooded American boys and girls sing out their praises of the homeland. It’s the greatest country on the planet. Those of us born here obviously deserve all of the richness of this wonderful, God-blessed land.

Can I get an amen?

Continue reading ‘We’re No. 1’

They’re no longer teaching longhand in school, I’m told, or soon will cease. Some people are aghast at the idea youngsters today are not learning the same things we did; I, however, have no problem with that.

Continue reading Long and short of it

A new post has gone up under the Behind the Pages tab. Click here to go straight to it.

Just one more example, perhaps, that I’m a bit weird … I really don’t enjoy sleeping.

I realize it’s necessary, good for you, helps you live longer … blah, blah, blah. Similar things are said about vegetables and I’m not overly fond of them, either.

Continue reading Is sleeping optional?

    I made a decision last night to lay off trying to change the world through social media.
For decades, I’ve shouldered the task of addressing innumerable topics within newspaper editorials and my personal columns. On occasion, I have done the same from my Facebook and Twitter accounts. No longer do I intend to expend any more energy than liking, sharing or commenting on posts. (That’s the plan, anyway.)
Am I giving up?

Continue reading Fall back; regroup

“Damn cancer,” I found myself thinking this morning. This happened while sitting in church, where I try to not cuss, even just thinking to myself.

Then I felt my eyes dampen, as they are while typing this.

“Damn cancer.”

Continue reading ‘Damn cancer’

Help me with “The Reporter and the Sloth” but do it today (Dec. 8) and win a free book.

Continue reading Novel needs help today!

Heads-up for those of you around the Bryan / College Station area … I’ve been invited to meet with the book club at Covenant Presbyterian Church in College Station to discuss “The Reporter and the Penguin.”

They meet at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, at the church, 220 Rock Prairie Road. Y’all come.