Sending out love to everyone at the Boston marathon today. I have been so inspired by all the wonderful people I have met there today, from all over the world. You have made Boston proud!
Monthly Archives: April 2014
Is it Safe to Take a Cruise?
If you’re planning your first cruise there are a few things you need to know. For all those people who are worried about their boat tipping over, catching on fire, or hitting an iceberg, my advice is similar to those who are afraid of flying. There are thousands of people cruising the high seas at any one time and even with the recent tragedies in the news, it is probably safer to get on a cruise ship than in a car.
As for illnesses, those are everywhere. The fact that all these people are confined to a ship makes sharing easier, think schools and daycares. My kids went through every illness imaginable when they were in daycare, now they are immune to just about anything. When you are at home and you wake up sick, you can’t really pinpoint where you picked up the bug. Did I get it at work, the grocery store, the questionable looking guy on the subway? A cruise is like a mini community, you get to meet all kinds of really cool people, the key is, to not share their germs.
Rule #1: Be a compulsive hand washer. Most of these yucky bugs end up on surfaces like railings, door handles, etc. Not to make you phobic of these surfaces, but if you then touch your eye or your lips, you risk introducing these bacteria into your body.
Rule#2: We wary of who’s touching your food. I try to avoid the buffets as much as possible, there are plenty of other choices and as for who’s touching your food, the answer is everybody. Also if your one of those people that “always” gets sick, try to stick to cooked food. Salads are great, but some people are more susceptible to bugs than others, if you are one of those people, sick to foods that have been cooked to a temperature that ensures than any microbes are killed. Sorry, that means no sushi or rare steaks either!
Rule #3: Stay away from obviously sick people. I know this sounds like an obvious one, but you’d be amazed at the number of people who are unwilling to switch seats in the theater or on deck when someone nearby seems to be on death’s door.
Rule #4: Bring your own pharmacy with you. Pain relievers, Dramamine, allergy pills, whatever. If you need to purchase these things on board you will pay a premium, so bring them whether or not you feel you will need them.
The number one thing to remember on a cruise is that the cruise line has plenty of staff on hand to keep you safe but realize this is not one on one supervision. What this means is, supervise your children at all times unless they are with a cruise related program that supervises your children. If you become so drunk that you can barely walk, make sure to stay away from railings, etc.
A cruise vacation can be a great way to get away for a reasonable price so don’t let all the media hype cloud your decision. Do your research before you choose. Some cruise lines have better track records than others as far as illnesses and accidents. You should make your comfort and safety the priority over price. Remember the old adage, you get what you pay for.
By guest blogger-Jean Marie Stanberry jeanstanberry.com @jeanstanberry
Lazy Sunday
It seems as if we are always going, going going. I always have some project to finish, some errands to run, it seems never ending. As my coffee was brewing this morning I made a list of things I wanted to do today after church, then I sat down at my computer, opened up a file I needed to make edits on and began working on it. Even after I had my coffee, I felt I had trouble concentrating. I wondered what was wrong with me and then I realized…it has been months since I actually took a day off and did absolutely nothing.
I got up from my computer, grabbed my I-pod and lay down on the couch to listen to a bit of music, it’s been months since I spent any time listening to music. I have reserved the rest of the day to be lazy and read a book I’ve been wanting to read (this book is not a project). It feels great to put away the to do list and actually have no agenda for one day.
I think today’s world is so busy we rarely recognize that sometimes our bodies just need a little bit of down time. I find I’m guilty of working all the time since I do editing, I find I can’t even enjoy myself when I go out with my friends because in the back of my mind I’m already thinking about all the things I need to do when I get home.
I am suggesting that we all make this a lazy Sunday and do basically nothing, allow our brains to reset themselves and our bodies to relax. I promise I will be completely lazy…as soon as I post this blog.
-Vaughn Thompson
Why Kumbaya Doesn’t Matter
Okay, I’m finally going to say something about all the media hype about people getting more violent. It is truly nothing but a bunch of media hype. No matter what they say, people are not getting more violent. In this world of instant gratification we just know about everything. You can get the news on TV, your phone or your computer instantly and believe it or not, news agencies love death and destruction because it means more views and more money for them.
How do I know the world is not getting more violent? There are bad people everywhere and it’s been like that forever. It is worse now that the world’s population is growing, but I doubt things have changed much on a per capita basis. Read the bible, watch old cowboy movies, read any history book. Even the so called “good guys” won by resorting to violence. Over the years people have been subjected to bullies who use force, the bullies are perhaps forcing them to give up their religion, give up their land, whatever. Regardless, the winner is always the one who is most willing to be the bully it seems.
No, the indians didn’t willingly move to reservations so that we could “settle the west”, they were robbed. When Hawaii became the 50th state, it wasn’t a big party like the history books tell us, Hawaii was essentially commandeered away from it’s native rule.
What’s my point? Yesterday twenty or more people were involved in this scuffle with a guy with a knife. A knife, not a gun! My point is, after the first couple people were slashed, why didn’t people go into crazy mode and take this loser down? We’ve been babied along by the pacifists for too long. Nobody is going to protect you and your family except for you, so if you are in trouble, do whatever it takes to defend yourself. Tell your kids the same thing. When my kids were small I made sure they knew, if someone you don’t know is trying to get you into their car, do whatever you have to do to get away from them. Kick, bite…whatever!
When somebody finally decides they are going to do whatever horrible deed it is that is filling their head, they have already decided they have nothing to lose, so they are going to give 100%. If you want to live, you have to give 100% as well. If someone has a weapon and they are using it on the people around you, you do what you have to, to take that person down.
The media can go on and on about screening people for mental illness and violence but many times these attackers have no prior history. The best thing you can do is protect yourself. Violence can happen anywhere so be aware of your surroundings. Our upbringing to look the other way might be our downfall. Be aware of the people around you and situations going on around you. If a couple nearby is having a heated discussion you don’t have to get involved, just remember that passion is a big motivator, you want to be on top of things if the situation deteriorates.
I’m not saying die trying to be a hero, but don’t be a victim. If you got one guy with a knife in a bank and forty people just standing around not doing anything…well I’m sorry, but that’s lame.
Coming soon!
When people lose faith they become hopeless, after hopelessness comes desperation. At this point it seems there is nothing left to lose. In here, lies the danger.
Jean Marie Stanberry’s new novel “Blood, Sweat and Fears is an action packed thriller that will leave you breathless. The year is 1980 and tensions are running high in the communist USSR. Alexander Peterov has a plan to escape his dreary life there and defect to the USA. He has engineered a plan to seduce a young co worker and marry her in an attempt to get US citizenship. His elaborate plan backfires when it becomes evident that this young women isn’t as easily manipulated as Alexander has imagined she might be. As weeks pass and he seems no closer to his goal than ever, Alexander is beginning to get very nervous. He is not wiling to give up his quest for the perfect life in America. Before long, his casual attraction has developed into a full fledged obsession and he is becoming more desperate by the moment.
Jenna Bruce, the object of his affection, seems to be completely unmoved by his attempts to seduce her. In fact, she files a complaint of sexual harassment against him and despite their close working arrangement, she has been doing everything she can to avoid him. When another man makes the moves on Jenna at their “Farewell to Paris” celebration, Alexander becomes consumed with jealousy. As his mental status begins to crumble he finally succumbs to his baser urges and the night ends in a shocking crescendo of violence.
When Alexander finally regains his senses and realizes what he has done he is remorseful. Unfortunately, he is still not ready to throw in the towel and give up his plans to defect from the USSR. The deception grows deeper as he weaves an even bigger web of lies to to justify his actions and avoid imprisonment.
Coming to bookstores and all major e-readers on May 1, 2014. Visit: jeanstanberry.com or follow her @jeanstanberry
Condolences
Sending out condolences to our author Lyoness Bradley on the death of her father, William G. Bradley. Lyoness’ newest book “One Small Bite” was due out at the end of the month but it’s premier will now be delayed as Lyoness will be flying back to her home town to help out her mother for a while and she will be unable to complete the final edits. Our hearts go out to Lyoness at this emotional time and we send much love out to her and her family.
Obsession, deception and passion
The world can be a cruel place when you are alone and on your own. Jenna Bruce has always felt like a stranger in her own family, an unwanted child forced to bounce back and forth between her own home and both her grandparents homes. When she gets the opportunity to perform in a world renowned ice show for the summer, Jenna is very excited. Shortly after her arrival in Paris she begins to have second thoughts, have her own parents set her up for failure, or is this just part of a larger, devious plan to be rid of her forever?
Alexander Peterov has a plan. If his plan goes off without a hitch, he can leave his dreary life in the U.S.S.R far behind and defect to the U.S. The pawn in Alexander’s plan is fifteen year old Jenna Bruce. She is in Paris with a fake passport, pretending to be much older than she really is. Alexander plans to seduce Jenna and marry her to attain U.S. citizenship, he thinks he has found someone young, naive and easy to manipulate. He’s about to find out he’s very wrong.
When things don’t move along the way Alexander would like he begins to fall victim to desperation, threatening his very sanity. Soon his goal has turned into a full blown obsession and it’s only a matter of time before Alexander melts down and goes completely over the edge.
When victim becomes the criminal it seems the whole world is taking sides and the deception just keeps getting deeper and more demented. When strong willed people face off, neither is going down without a fight, but who will win this battle?
Kingsmuir Press is pleased to announce the release of “Blood, Sweat and Fears” the second book in the Heart of a Phoenix series, by Jean Marie Stanberry, coming to bookstores and E-readers May 1.
Kingsmuir Press-Great Novels, great authors 