FirstBlog

I think my introversion and general aloofness leads people to think I don’t care. Like my recently departed dog Baby , I do care. Very much. I’m just likely going to keep my distance and not pursue my loved ones as much as they’d like. Baby would sleep in the hallway or bedroom door (if the door was open) when we were out in the living room. Every hour or so, she would mosey on out, look my wife and I in the eye, have a drink of water and then go back to sleep. She was just checking on us. She was showing she cared, but also keeping her distance. There’s a reason dogs and owners connect. They take on each other’s personality traits. We always wanted her to stay, and sometimes she’d flop down in front of us, but usually, she would retreat back to the bedroom for a few hours before checking on us again. I’m not the type to pick up my phone call and have a conversation with someone, but, if you’re in town, I’m going to totally want to catch a movie with you or have you over for ...

I’ve always wanted to work for myself. From my youngest days I was an entrepreneur. I remember one day, I was four or five, my best friend and I found a pile of coupons at the park and we went around our neighborhood and sold them to our neighbors. I found out later that they were expired and the neighbors bought them from us because we were cute little boys. (Insert your name here)     My dad is a musician. I didn’t see him get up and put on a suit and go to an office. I saw him get up and play his guitar in jeans and a t shirt. Every few months, he’d leave on tour for a few weeks and come home. Every summer we’d travel with him. Since I have a summer birthday, I was rarely home for my birthday.   As I got older, he took odd jobs. Waiting tables primarily. He also got his real estate license. He worked hard but not like a typical dad with a nine to five job.   I got my first job at McDonalds when I was fourteen. I enjoyed having a little m...

Greetings! I announced recently my signing with Sweatshoppe Publications . I'm pleased to announce that the book is available now for pre sale and that there will be a book launch in the St. John's neighborhood of Portland on Feb 2nd. Purchase the book now or at the event and I'll sign the book for you. If you plan on purchasing your copy at the event, please let me know so I can make sure I have enough copies on hand. I'm honored to have many of my friends and family sharing their talents alongside me that evening. Having a book deal and a book in print has always been a dream of mine and I'm pleased-- nay! elated!-- that this dream is coming to pass. Thanks to all of you for your unending love and support and I hope to see you on Feb 2nd.  The links above will take you where you need to go. Justin

Welcome to 2013! The Mayans, of course, didn’t think we’d make it this far. I didn’t put a lot of stock in that, so, I planned ahead, sort of. Did you? With the new year comes renewed optimism and reflection. It’s a time for us to make resolutions and set goals for the new year. I generally don’t like to publicize my New Years’ Resolutions because I don’t generally keep them and I don’t want to have to bite my tongue or eat my foot. Biting the tongue hurts and the foot is icky and bitter. I’d like to avoid these unfortunate consequences. That being said, I am making three resolutions, and publicizing them. Hold me accountable. Sometimes that’s the only way to ensure resolutions are kept, so, without further ado, here are my resolutions and goals for the coming year:   1.       KEEP MY NEW YEARS’ RESOLUTIONS This is a biggie. I don’t think I’ve ever done this. Keeping a resolution would be a major accomplishment and I intend to keep ...

Three months ago I published my poetry book, Digging to China , on Amazon Kindle. I wish I had a nicer day to share this happy news on, but, I have just signed a contract with Sweatshoppe Publications to publish my poetry collection, Digging to China. The Kindle version will still be available, but the new book will have more poems in it. I'm excited to have this book almost in print and more easily available! Thanks for your time, Justin Is the book any good? Here's a review/interview. Follow me! Facebook (author page) Twitter Google Plus LinkedIn Pinterest Hubpages blog

Greetings! This Christmas, I am choosing to give to those less fortunate than myself. I have decided to partner with Angel Tree  Ministries, a division of Prison Fellowship Ministries founded by the late Chuck Colson. Angel Tree provides Christmas gifts to the children of parents in prison. children, innocent victims of their parents bad choices, should not have to suffer and go without because of the choices of someone else. It is my goal to raise $50.32, which will provide gifts to eight children. But, to reach this goal, I need your help! I don't have a lot of cash. but, I do have a book. So, from now until Midnight December 24th, I'm selling a PDF of my book of poetry ( Digging to China ) for $3. Half of this purchase price will go directly to Angel Tree Ministries. As a gift to you, I will also be sending you my eleven page short story, Lime Green Buddha . It's just my small way of saying thanks for helping me to help these ki...

Hello. My name is Justin and I'm a spoil sport. I gloat when I win and I whine when I lose. I hate this about myself. My wife hates it. My family hates it. No one will play games with me because of my attitude, which stinks, because I love games. But, the truth is, I'm not sure I can help being a poor sport. How did I get to be like this? I'm the oldest of four, but in many ways I don't feel like it. I was picked on mercilessly in grade school and middle school. My siblings were not.. I attempted to find an identity in sports but found I wasn't very good. I had a few big hits in baseball, but scored a total of four points in seven seasons of basketball. I played a season of football and got on the field for a total of seven plays. Meanwhile, my younger brothers had a modicum of success in sports. It seemed I had to work for everything and still came up short. I decided then to follow in my father's footsteps and turn to music. I tried the drums but it wa...