JamSmooth.com

Yesterday I received a letter from Citi Bank. Normally I don’t open these type of letters. They typically go straight to the trash. However I opened this one and I’m glad I did.

The letter stated that effective April 1, 2010 I would get the pleasure of paying $60 a year to use the card. That is if I did not spend over $2,400. I’m so glad I opened that. I had to make a phone call today to opt out and close the account.

What I learned. Always open up letters from credit card companies. I don’t use credit cards anymore. Fortunately I have paid off all debt. Yet I still have accounts open. As you may know if you close accounts that lowers your credit score.

As Dave Ramsey says, “If you play with snakes you’ll eventually get bit.” Be vigilant in checking your credit history and in opening those letters.

Growing up near the water in Savannah was a highlight of my youth. My grandparents owned a house in Vernonburg, Georgia. Vernonburg was on the southside of Savannah yet its own corporation separate from the city.

The house was built by Mr. Bauer, a German businessman, for whom my grandmother worked. After Mr. Bauer died he left the house to my grandparents. This place was magical. Many weekends you’d find our families there sailing, fishing, water skiing, cooking and grilling. As a kid I had no idea we were creating the memories of a lifetime.

Underneath the backyard there were rooms built for storing things like oars, life vests and other boating accessories. One of the rooms was a practice space where my uncle’s band played. My mom and aunt hand painted the room with an underwater scene. I remember the bathroom had “Neptune’s Throne” painted on the door.

My grandparents had a 40 foot sailboat that my grandfather, grandmother and 2 of their friends once piloted down to the Bahamas. I could write pages about my grandfather. He was an extraordinary man. A WWII B-17 pilot, an exacting carpenter who built a boat by hand and of course, a sailor.

Once I told him I wanted to learn to sail. He said ok and returned with a stack of about 7 books on sailing. He said to read those and to get back to him. He was joking but serious at the same time.

Another memory from childhood is this song from Christopher Cross. It holds a special place in my heart. I think about my grandfather and my childhood when I hear it. It brings back vivid memories of love and fun on the Vernon River.

February 2nd will mark 3 years since my grandfather passed away. I just want you to know how lucky I was to know a man like that. They truly don’t make them like that anymore.

A few nights ago I dreamt vividly about my first love. I don’t recall too many details from the dream other than her presence and that we were talking. I guess this means she’s still in my subconscious?

I haven’t thought about her in years. I’ll be honest, I pulled what my friend BG called a “Facebook Flashback,” and looked her up. She was there. It’s like going to see a band that reunited when they shouldn’t have. She didn’t look the same, but it’s been nearly 20 years.

Back to my question, she’s still in my subconscious lurking around? Why did I dream about her? I don’t know.

What do you think? Do you ever truly get over that first love?

If you’re Don Henley, the answer is no.

Hey everybody. I’m officially writing over at Atlanta Metblogs. I look forward to contributing all kinds of great stuff there.

Go here to read my first post. Unfortunately it’s about the recent tragedy at The Standard. Please make a comment.

Jam

I admire my 84 year old Grandmother. As long as I can remember she’s always spoken her mind, whether or not you wanted to hear it or even cared. Sometimes her delivery is acerbic but still heavy with the truth. My dad sent this over and it’s worth sharing.

No, that’s not my grandmother in the story.

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.

Never one to run from a challenge, JamSmooth has officially signed up for NaNoWriMo. NaNoWriMo is National Novel Writing Month. The challenge is to write a 50,000 word, 175 page novel in one month. Last year there were over 100,000 participants and 15,000 finished.

Thankfully my good buddy over at The Arc Of Time has joined the challenge as well. We’ll be able to encourage each other.

The timing is perfect. I recently began thinking about an idea for a screenplay. This will force me to write it. I’m excited about this challenge. When the novel is done (and edited) I’ll put it somewhere you can read it.

Wish us luck! We start in 4 days.

Please be patient with me as I learn to make these videos. This one is a bit long and there’s really no point to it. However it’s worth watching for an amazing ninja story from Amanda. *****BEWARE OF R RATED LANGUAGE DURING THE NINJA STORY****** I could not figure out how to bleep out the bad words in iMovie. I might have to move up to Final Cut. Might as well right?

Here the answers to Ask Me Anything.

Megan asks:
My new question is to wonder when you are going to answer your questions?

Right now.

Anonymous asks:
1. What were the details of the blog ‘inside my mind and soul’? It sounds really intense, but I can’t tell if it has to do with women, greed, drinking, or demon possession.

At the time I was under a major attack. I believe there is a spiritual world that we cannot see in this life. I believe there are angels (good spirits) and demons (evil spirits). I believe that you give power to one or the other. That day the demons were in control. My thoughts were completely dark and negative. When I was in Colorado on the Adventures of the Heart trip they showed that Saving Private Ryan clip to symbolize spiritual warfare. I related to it then and remembered it that day.

2. Is your list of qualities you require in a woman really requirements? Would you really refuse to go out with a woman just because she has $5k in credit card debt or doesn’t tithe? Seems overly strict. I went with the ‘would she sleep with me’ and ‘would i sleep with her’ method. That narrowed it down to 4 people. From there I looked at the normal stuff of which one is interesting / smart / creative / fun / intelligent. That worked out pretty good for me.

They are not requirements but definitely qualities I’m seeking. I’d still go out with a woman who has debt and doesn’t tithe, sure.

3. Now that you are back on the dating scene, why don’t you go back and ask out that Indian woman at the coffee shop where you did some open mics?

I’m not sure if she works there anymore. That last open mic she mentioned she was leaving to travel overseas. For the record, after you asked the question I e-mailed her but I haven’t heard back.

James asks:
what are you doing about the environment?

My environmentalism is reflected in how I eat. I eat organic foods 98% of the time that I prepare myself. Organic foods help the environment because no pesticides, herbicides or other chemicals are used. Thus no harmful chemicals get into the soil or water table. I also recycle glass and plastic. I use the same paper bags at the grocery store week after week. When I have the cash I’m going to buy a diesel car and use bio-diesel.

Anonymous asks:
1) Why the name Red Shirt Freshmen?

First off, it’s Redshirt Freshman. My brother came up with the name. We were watching college football one day and he said it would make a good name. I agreed. That’s it.

2) How do you know that Jesus is the only way to spiritual salvation?

In John 14:6 Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Since I am a follower of Christ I take that to mean there is no way to salvation except through Christ. I believe there are countless paths to Christ. However at some point one must come to terms that Jesus is the only way to eternal life. I’m not bashing any other faiths, I would never do that. If you don’t agree with me that’s your right. It’s not that I know Jesus is the way, I simply believe He is the way.

3) What’s your favorite movie, album, TV show, and why?

It depends on the day and my mood and what I’ve seen lately. Favorite movie? I’ll go with The Empire Strikes Back. Many argue that is the best of all the Star Wars movies and I tend to agree. I like the others too but that film has so much depth.

Favorite album? This is a tough one. One album that never seems to get old is Big Star – Live. I’ve listened to this record countless times. From the first notes of, “September Gurls,” I am hooked. Alex Chilton’s guitar playing is a master class in rock/blues/soul fusion. There is not one bad song on it. In the middle Chilton does 3 acoustic songs that are mind blowing. Just listen to “Motel Blues,” (A Loudon Wainwright cover) or “The Ballad of El Goodo.” Pure Brilliance. Jody Stephens’ drumming is also great. You can hear a lot of Keith Moon’s influence. And for only being in the group for 6 weeks at that time, John Lightman does an outstanding job on bass.

Favorite TV show? I’m gonna go with Seinfeld. The writing, the acting, the characters and situations were one of a kind. I read that Larry David is worth $500 Million because of the show.

Megan asks:
Are you going to really move out west?

Hopefully. I still want to. It snowed here yesterday. Snow. I’m built for surfing, water skiing, beaches, t-shirts and palm trees, not snow, coats, scarves, hats and gloves.

Ginny asks:
Do we not get to see the answers to other peeps questions? Yes.
Are you still stroke free? Yes.

Tomas asks:
1) Have you and Ginny ever done it?
Yes, many years ago.

Ginny asks:
Will you and Joey EVER get along?

Sure we get along fine. Even more so since we don’t live together anymore.

There it is. I hope you enjoyed the read. I may do another one of these again. Thanks for your questions.

Keeping things positive is a priority over here at Jamsmooth.com. Some days it’s hard. Like today! I had a flat tire. Part of a razor blade was stuck in the tire. Not only could I not work out, I got to have the fun experience of changing my tire in the street. Fortunately my neighbor came over with a heavy duty jack and I got the tire off and the spare on in minutes.

What is the deal with that tiny jack? I’m supposed to lift a 3000+ lb. car with an 8″ jack?

I went up to NTB to get my tire repaired. Guess what? They can’t repair the tire so I have to buy a new one! Yay! $90.

The program has taught me to search for gratitude in everything. I’m grateful I have a car, yes. I’m grateful I have the money to pay for this. I’m grateful my neighbor offered me help. I’m grateful I was not on the freeway. It’s a matter of accepting the things I cannot change and changing the things I can.

In the past this event would’ve fueled a lot of rage. Now I deal with it and move on…for the most part. That’s progress.