Until the next time... is a blog usually focused on writing, music, and travel to places near and far. It concerns some of the things I've learned and some of the things I've messed up through the years. The blog also appears at www.michaelembry.com/blog.html.
My sun hat arrived in the mail today. It's something that I'll be wearing whenever I'm outside during daylight hours. It's a special hat in that it has a 50+ sun protection factor, or SPF.
Wearing my new sun hat
You've probably seen SPF numbers on suntan lotion/sunscreen and perhaps some clothing accessories. The higher the number, the better protection you have against the sun's damaging ultra-violet rays. A couple years ago I had a skin cancer spot (basal cell carcinoma) removed from my face. Since then, I've returned to the dermatologist every six months to have it checked while also having some precancerous lesions taken off my hands, face and back with liquid nitrogen. A lot of folks develop skin cancer, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. It's the most common from of cancer, with more than 2 million people diagnosed annually, and one in five will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. There's no doubt that my skin cancer and the precancerous lesions are product of being in the sun too long when I was younger, soaking up the sun at the beach, playing tennis and other sports, and other outdoor activities. Needless to say, I've had my share of sunburned skin from not covering up properly and failing to wear sunscreen. Quite frankly, I don't recall sunscreen back in the 1960s and '70s. Most of us were trying to get those deep, golden tans. The effects of sun-damaged skin can show up early or late in one's life. I have two friends who have similar skin cancer in about the same place as I do -- one loves the beach and the other was an avid golfer. And they were about the same age as I was when it was diagnosed and removed. I suppose the point I want to make here is two-fold. For you younger folks, don't be a sun worshiper. Use sunscreen and wear clothing that will protect you from the sun's harmful rays. And that includes sunglasses as well to protect your eyes.
For older folks, use sunscreen and moisturizers to keep your skin from getting too dry. And if you see something on your skin that looks a bit funny, rough or discolored, visit a dermatologist and get it checked out and possibly removed before it gets any worse. Better safe than sorry. Getting back to head gear, remember that while baseball-type caps can help the top of your head, they don't provide protection for your ears. I have a lot of ball caps, but I now wear them for after the sun goes down. I have been wearing straw hats the past few years while mowing the lawn, but they don't provide maximum protection. Also, visit websites such as the American Cancer Society and Skin Cancer Foundation to learn more about skin cancer. Until the next time...
One of the tasks an author should do is have a trailer for their book. Ideally, it should be done before the publication date. If not then, at least by publication date. And if that can't be accomplished, then soon after publication date. As you can see, the trailer for "The Bully List" is nearly five months after publication (Oct. 1). I don't want to make excuses but I will mention work, outside activities and the holidays. I hope you can give me a little slack. One more thing: Procrastination. But I figure it's better to get something out rather than nothing out all. I hope it will spark some more sales in the novel -- which is aimed for middle-school and above including adults. So please forgive me for dragging my feet in producing this trailer (something indie and self-published authors can understand). I'll try to be more timely with my next novel -- but I'm not making any promises!
Many of us in the United States are celebrating The Beatles today. It was 50 years ago that the Fab Four made their debut on the popular "The Ed Sullivan Show." We didn't have cable or satellite TV in those dark black-and-white ages. It was the NBC, CBS, and ABC networks that ruled the airwaves. On on that magical evening on Feb. 9, 1964, John, Paul, George, and Ringo were in the spotlight, and Beatlemania was in full bloom. I was at church with my family that eventful evening in Campbellsville, Ky. The one-hour service ended at 8; that's when the "The Ed Sullivan Show" was broadcast.
We hurried home to see the program. I think my Mom and Dad were curious to see the Beatles on TV as well. And then came Ed Sullivan's distinctive introduction, "Ladies and gentlemen, The Beatles!" It was earsplitting listening and watching the reaction to the group as they performed, especially the young girls screaming and shrieking. Ed Sullivan even seemed to be shaken up by the noise from the audience. The atmosphere was simply electric, even for a country boy watching the show in Kentucky. I've been a fan of the Beatles for more than 50 years, first hearing the group's music on WLS in Chicago and WABC in New York. I suppose I own most, if not all, of their music. It's not that often when folks recall where they were when cultural happenings in their lives. That's usually reserved for events such as the attack on Pearl Harbor, JFK's assassination, the Apollo 11's lunar landing or the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Needless to say, the Beatles changed the course of music and influenced countless musicians and non-musicians like me. And it marked the first wave of the British Invasion that led to other acts such as The Kinks, The Rolling Stones, and The Dave Clark 5. Remember this song -- "We Love You Beatles" from many years ago? "We love you Beatles Oh, yes, we do We love you, Beatles, And we'll be true "When you're not near to us We're blue Oh, Beatles, we love you (Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)" After a half century, we still love the Beatles. It seems like only yesterday.
With the exception of prolific authors such as Stephen King, Nora Roberts, Isaac Asimov, Barbara Cartland, and Danielle Steel and a few others, there are times for the rest of us when it's simply difficult to write. Is it writer's block, or perhaps burnout? Or a bit of both? Sometimes when we have plans to write, but life happens and takes us away from those best intentions. And in the interim, we lose focus and put it aside for another time. Procrastination. Now some writers recommend that the best way to break through writer's block is to write. That has worked for me at times. But I find the key to success is having a purpose for what I'm writing. There has to be a goal. I certainly don't want to be writing around in circles. That's why it's good to have solid ideas on what you want to put on the screen. It at least gives you a map to look at while you're unsure which road to take. By writing, you will probably find the direction you want to go. And sometimes I wonder if writers simply develop burnout after so many years? Weak sales may make some decide that there are better things to do. Some may decide the struggle simply isn't worth it. It does get discouraging at times. There are other reasons as well, such as physical or mental illnesses. Maybe there is something physically wrong that takes us from our writing. Maybe depression is working against us. Sometimes we don't realize what has diverted us from something we once enjoyed. Whatever the reasons, sometimes it's good to take a break from the rigors of it all. We all know it's a rather lonely endeavor to write a book. Until the next time...
If there was an anthem for rebellious young people in the late 1960s, one would have to consider Steppenwolf's "Born To Be Wild."
The song captured the spirit of the times as folks were involved in the anti-war and civil rights movements, various campus protests, and other social issues. And the song included these famous lyrics by Mars Bonfire: "I like smoke and lightnin' Heavy metal thunder..." And thus was born the phrase for "heavy metal" music, used to describe the sounds of Cream, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and, of course, Steppenwolf. Steppenwolf was an immensely popular group from 1968-72, producing eight gold albums and more than 10 top ten singles including No. 2 "Born To Be Wild," No. 3 "Magic Carpet Ride," and No. 10 "Rock Me." Two of their songs, "The Pusher" and "Born To Be Wild," were featured in the counter-culture movie, "Easy Rider." Another underground hit, which drew the ire of the Establishment, was "Don't Step on the Grass, Sam," which criticized marijuana laws. Some of their other hit songs were "Sookie Sookie," "Jupiter Child" and "Hey Lawdy Mama." Steppenwolf, featuring the bluesy vocals of John Kay, was a power group that influenced artists such as Grand Funk Railroad, Mountain, Bad Company, and Foreigner. And surprisingly, this great group has been overlooked by Rock and Rock Hall of Fame, as they became eligible in 1993. Twenty-one years. I find that hard to understand. For anyone who grew up in the '60s, they know the impact of Steppenwolf on rock music. Now, enjoy some Steppenwolf:
Pete Seeger lived a long and productive life that touched and influenced several generations of Americans. He passed away on Jan. 27 at the age of 94. Mr. Seeger was at the forefront of folk music, a political activist, a voice for the common person, and an environmentalist. A Harvard dropout and World War II veteran, he was also a man of conviction and determination -- always true to himself and others. He wasn't afraid to speak out and stand up against McCarthyism in the 1950s. I can't add anything about his great man that hasn't already been said (much better) by others such as Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and President Obama. Read some of the tributes by clicking here and here. I do recall back in my college years in the 1960s that one of my friends knew Mr. Seeger. She was going to invite him to one of our protests and was confident he would be there. But things happened, then school let out for the summer, and we went on with our lives. If I could only turn back the hands of time. Mr. Seeger will be missed but his legacy will live on in songs such as "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" "If I Had a Hammer," "Waist Deep in the Big Muddy," and "Turn, Turn, Turn (To Everything There Is a Season)." And for those involved in civil rights -- past, present, and future --"We Shall Overcome." Here's a few videos.
I was listening to the radio tonight while preparing dinner. For those who read my blog, they know I love music. Something that has bothered me for a long time is the lack of information about music played on radio. What I mean is that the disc jockeys, or whomever plays the music, very seldom mentions the artist, or at least, the name of the song. I heard several songs that I thought were very good, perhaps prompting me to purchase the music. But it's kinda hard to do that when you don't know who recorded the song. I think those folks believe that listeners simply know by osmosis. Yes, there were a few artists I knew such as REM and Hootie and the Blowfish. I heard something by Lady Gaga, and liked it, and fortunately the disc jockey mentioned her name, but not the title of the song. I wonder if record sales would increase if radios would let their listeners know who made the music? Somehow, I believe it would help. I grew up in an era when it was customary for the jocks to mention the artist and the title, and in such a way you wouldn't forget. Even songs by the Beatles. Until the next time...
