I just crossed the 50,000 word threshold for National Novel Writing Month. Amazing, challenging, mind-altering, eye-opening all describe this experience. I’m so glad I took on this challenge.

The story is not finished yet. I have the ending and I know where it’s going. I’ll finish it up this week. After that I’m going to take a break from the story. Then in January I plan to come back, edit, rewrite and maybe publish it myself? We’ll see.

I still see this story as a film and my dream would be to see this on screen. After all it has a soundtrack.

Thanks to all of those supported me and those who didn’t. I used it all. If I can do this, anyone can do it. Give it a shot next year.

I’m a goal oriented person. Give me something to shoot for and I’ll put everything I have into achieving it. So after several months of slacking on exercise I’ve come up with a challenge for myself. Who wants to join me?

Here’s the deal, it’s very simple. Workout 6 days a week with one day of rest, 90 days in a row. I’m starting on December 1st. I’m using the Body For Life program. I used it a few years ago and honestly wasn’t that impressed with the results. However I’ve done the same routines for a few years now and this is different. The program has structure, guidelines and way to measure your progress. That’s perfect for me. So I’ll be back in the gym with my paper, writing down intensity levels and how much weight I lifted after each set.

I encourage you to use whatever you want. The idea is to get out and exercise, at least 30 minutes each day.

By the end of February we’ll be rocking sportier and healthier bodies. So who’s with me? Let’s do this!

It’s been a while. I had this one stored up and ready to go. It’s about as mainstream as you can get.

Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody

Brian May has one of the most distinctive tones in rock. This was Freddie Mercury’s song but May still adds to it. Great solo at 2:35.

Guns N’ Roses – Sweet Child of Mine

Which solo from this song? There are 3. Slash gives us a clinic on this one. He’s tasteful with the wah-wah on this one, not cranking back and forth but gradually releasing it as he plays.

U2 – Until The End Of The World

One of my favorite U2 songs and one of my favorite guitarists. The Edge has unmistakable tone. I love his note choice on this tune. You can hear the Vox is turned up full blast, the speakers are breaking.

Part 4 will be my first podcast. Get ready for that. First I gotta finish this novel!

As of last night I’m 22,065 words into NaNoWriMo. I will be at the halfway point soon. I’ve written a lot of crap. Letting someone read this first draft is akin to waterboarding. However surprises appear each day I write. My mind must be working subconsciously because I get ideas out of nowhere, while making tea. “Oh I could write about that!,” I think and a new path will flash before me. Characters appear that I never imagined when I first started.

I’m enjoying the process. The discipline of writing every day is challenging yet it is also fulfilling. This process is showing me that I had time in each day for something creative, I just didn’t take advantage of it. Having a deadline, a real deadline, makes all the difference. The pressure of 50,000 words by November 30th applies more each day. All that matters is getting that magic number of 1,667 words a day.

Another thing I’m learning is focus. Focus is king. Distractions taunt me every time I write: Twitter, Facebook, E-mail, Digg, iTunes. When I’m at the coffee shop I check out every person that enters. I have to overcome all that just write. The bottom line is word count, not quality.

Will I finish? I hope so. I’m one of those folks who have to finish what they start. I’m not sure how I’m going to crank another 28,000 words out of this story. I have a lot more to write about but 28,000 words? Do I have it in me?

Thankfully I have my good buddy JeHerv along for the ride. NaNoWriMo also releases podcasts and pep talks to keep you writing. They know this is no easy task.

If you’re rooting for me thanks. If not, thanks, I love to prove people wrong about me. 16 more days, 28,000 more words and we’ll know if I have my first novel under my belt.

We can all learn from this kid. Amazing.

I get my hair did (the hair I have left) at Studio Philisa. Phil has been my stylist off and on for nearly 7 years. Phil and I have broken up before but I always come back. Phil is an engaging personality with lots of great stories. He is immensely talented at painting, interior design and home improvement. He takes his time with each client and his relationship with you is the most important thing. That and making you look great.

Recently Phil and his wife Lisa opened their own salon called Studio Philisa. If you’re in the Atlanta area you should check them out. Their salon is in the old 4th Ward off of Auburn Avenue in the Studioplex.

Phil designed and built the salon. Their daughter sells her own hand-made jewelry there. Phil also sells his paintings. They’re a family business to the core.

Go see them and tell them JamSmooth sent ya.

Whether or not your candidate won, history has been made. Never in my life have I seen such excitement towards politics. I’ve loved politics since I was a teenager. Inspired by my high school Civics teacher, Mr. David Brogdon, I developed a passion for politics. This election resurrected my passion for politics after many years of being jaded.

I’ve been purposely silent here during this election. I didn’t feel like endlessly debating about who is right and wrong. I didn’t want to expose myself to that. It’s ugly and it doesn’t solve anything. Now that’s over and we have our new president.

Listening to a podcast from Sandals Church I was reminded of the verses from Romans 13. Verses 1 and 2 say, “1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” As a follower of Christ I must submit to whoever is in authority.

Reading the status comments on Facebook I see a lot of people are bewildered, afraid and disappointed by Obama’s win. Now they know how I felt in 2000 and 2004. I voted for Gore and Kerry, not because I liked them but because I didn’t like Bush. My vote for Obama was very much the same logic. He was the lesser of two evils for me.

Can’t McCain supporters give Obama a chance? Republicans have had 8 years and the country spoke loud and clear on what it thinks of that leadership. To all my fellow believers out there, look closely at the scripture from Romans. Listen to that podcast from Sandals on the election. Remember that God is in control. God has chosen Obama as the leader to serve His will.

The message from Sandals so convicted me that I’d write the same words had McCain won. I want to see America put aside the partisanship and unite. That is what Jesus would want. He wants us to respect who He has put into power. We don’t have to agree with everything Obama does. However there are fundamental issues we can all agree on: unity, love and service.

Obama is a not a socialist. He won’t be successful in this country with socialist policies. America is a centrist country. Look at what happened with all the gay marriage propositions. They failed. Even Prop 8 failed in California, the most liberal state in our country.

God has chosen Obama to accomplish His plans just as He chose Bush. I didn’t like Bush and I wish I would’ve read this passage in Romans years ago. It would’ve saved me some strife. If you find yourself in an argument about politics remember, God is in control so put your trust in Him, not any man.

If anything good has come from this election it’s that people are voting. When it’s all over we may see one of the largest turnouts in our time. Yes that is a good thing. The early voting here in Georgia has been a huge success. Lines have been long but the bottom line is folks have and wanted to vote.

So if you haven’t voted yet. Do it tomorrow. Do it no matter what. No excuses. It’s your privilege as an American. Don’t believe the polls. We all know they can be wrong. Remember 2004?