FirstBlog

http://tinyurl.com/9ppegfy Hot Pink Lipstick It was the first dead body I’d seen, waxy soulless. Hot pink lipstick: I laughed at the choice. Painted cheeks, rosy a doll. Hands that had held mine stroked my hair, prepared my dinner, now stiff, folded angelic, no longer capable of love or embrace. My grandmother in a box lined with silk, optimum comfort for the dead, lips closed, unsmiling blue eyes hiding behind shaded lids. Red hair dyed the day of her death, her final living act, unknown Buy here: http://tinyurl.com/8ttm6cv Sign up for my mailing list! Sharing is caring! Pass this on! Thanks for your time!

Okay, the title is a little deceiving. What this is is a video I put together of one of my dad's songs. He's a musician, he's made four albums and done plenty of tours. He teaches music and still performs on occasion.  He wants to put some of his songs on youtube, and I've been tasked with putting them together. I've never made a movie before, but I think this is decent. I wanted to get some feedback here for it, though it is already up on youtube. Thanks! if the video doesn't work, click here .

http://tinyurl.com/8cdl289 On facebook right now through September 1st 2012, I am running a contest to get a free PDF version of my book of poetry, Digging to China . it's also available on kindle as soon as a chapbook. head on over to my facebook page and follow the instructions there to learn how to be eligible to get your free copy. My author facebook page . Digging to China on Kindle . Also, if you haven't yet, sign up for my mailing list to keep informed on the latest developments with my books and other aspects of my writing career (including my latest blog, wizzley and hubpages posts).  Thanks for your time, Justin.

One year ago today, Andrea Larson and I loaded up her Subaru Forester , two dogs and clothes. Mine were recently ironed and hung neatly on a hanger. Hers were hidden, in one of those fancy dry cleaning bags. I was to be surprised at its contents. Our little family piled in and made the trek from Hillsboro, Oregon to the Mt. Tabor neighborhood in Portland; about fifteen miles away.  The day was a scorcher, no clouds would survive the heat, and the day would change our lives. Our friends Dan and Nicole had offered us their house and backyard for the days events and when we arrived at their home, it was neatly decorated. There was a mini chalk board with our names written along with the date, August 20 th , 2011 in the back yard, next to a card table. The trees had little penguins (my favorite animal) in them and the back yard had folding chairs. I pitied those that had to sit in those chairs but was rather happy that we wouldn’t be outside long.  This wouldn’t take long. ...

My wife and I were talking yesterday and I told her that the cast of one of our favorite television shows, Modern Family , made $1 million per episode. I was wrong. They only make $350K. I had an epiphany. My wife said "that's way too much money". One the surface, it seems to be, but, I wondered: who am I to say how much someone else's skill set is worth? Sure, it seems easy to be a film and television actor-- especially when one is on a show as successful as Modern Family . But is it? Actors work long days, they give up the anonymity most of us enjoy. How would you like going out to dinner and not being able to speak with your wife or husband because a fan keeps coming up to you with a pen, pad and camera asking for just a second of your time? How would you like going to the park or the beach with your family and having to chase off photographers? Yes, that's the price they pay for fame and that's why many of them have such extravagant homes... they spend...

Psalm 91 1  Those who live in the shelter of the Most High      will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2  This I declare about the  Lord : He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;      he is my God, and I trust him. 3  For he will rescue you from every trap      and protect you from deadly disease. 4  He will cover you with his feathers.      He will shelter you with his wings.      His faithful promises are your armor and protection. 5  Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,      nor the arrow that flies in the day. 6  Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,      nor the disaster that strikes at midday. 7  Though a thousand fall at your side,      though ten thousand are dying around you,      these evils will not touch you. 8...

SPOILERS CONTAINED!!!! I'm working on a novel called What Happens when You Don't Know Anything . It's an experimental novel in many ways, combing influences from JD Salinger, Bret Easton Ellis and Chuck Palahniuk. The novel is told primary in first person present tense, with occasional shifts to second person. The protagonist, jimmy Evans, is a degenerate gambler, alcoholic and ignoramus, hence the title of the novel. The scene below is chapter sixteen is is very very unusual. To see how the book looks in a normal chapter, click this link for another sneak peak at a different chapter. Check the video out to see Phil Hellmuth, the poker brat, make an ass of himself at the world series of poker, and then read on... In the scene that follows, Jimmy has just been beaten up in the men's room at the Rio in Las Vegas by Shelby, whom he owes money too. This is during the World Series of Poker in 2006, which he has been dreaming towards through the novel. He ends ...