Friday JohnKu – Cherished Blog Event

July 29, 2016July 31, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 69 Comments

Typically I run my Friday JohnKu today, but since I’m participating in the Cherished Blogfest, I will post a JohnKu next week. The cherished Blogfest is a three-day event where bloggers write about a cherished item. If you would like to participate or just want more information here is the link to the site.

https://cherishedblogfest.wordpress.com/2016/06/26/cherished-blogfest-2016/

Cherished Blogfest

My Cherished item is a gold pocket watch that my grandfather carried. He was quite a man. Although he died in 1932, long before I was born, his legacy has continued through the years. Like all the men in our family, his name was John and unlike all the men in our family, he became a surgeon. He practiced medicine until his death. He was a field surgeon during World War I and suffered mustard gas wounds but managed a medical career in spite of his ailment. He is interred in Arlington National cemetary in recognition of his service. His watch is a treasured and cherished item.

Grandfather's watch

Here is the view of the face. The watch was made in Elgin Illinois by the Elgin National Watch Company in 1889. These watches were made on a production line and were very popular. Although not the cheapest they were not the most expensive either. The fact that it is over 100 years old is a tribute to the craftsmanship.

Grandfather's watch

Here is a picture of his headstone which carries his permanent military rank of Major and his home state of Missouri.

Grandfather's headstone

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

July 22, 2016July 17, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 26 Comments

Another long week. Been working long hours, but it looks like the project will be taking a lull for a while. It is good to have a breather. Makes it like a vacation. Of course, when consulting vacations come more frequently than normal. I do apologize that I have not been on top of my blog visits but there is only so much time. Today’s JohnKu talks about missing out on important things. Hope you like it.

Doing something swell,

Means missing out on something…

Choices involve stress.

Friday JohnKu -AKA – TGIF

July 15, 2016July 10, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 14 Comments

A week filled with meetings, time pressure, presentations, and general mayhem. As George C. Scott said while playing the role of Gen George Patton, “God I love it.”

Since I need to keep my nose to the grindstone, I’ll keep this short. The JohnKu speaks to busy. And a special note to Dale, I double checked each syllable. Also, this was briefly published last Sunday. I apologize since that was a mistake.

Meetings and mayhem,

Mark the workday as it flies. . .

Friday is magic.

Friday JohnKU – AKA TGIF

July 8, 2016July 8, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 44 Comments

TGIF

Another Friday is upon us. Now that I am back in the maw of organized commerce, the day has more significance. I do need some time off. I have been running all week, and as you read this, I will be flying back to Texas from LA. This assignment is such that I’m not sure I will make it home this weekend or not. The pace is pretty brisk and since my role is to develop the strategy for success I have to be involved in all aspects.

If I didn’t want to do it, I would not have said “yes” to the request to be engaged once more. (It is rewarding and a heck of a lot of fun)

This week’s JohnKu talks to doing what you love. I hope you like it.

Life’s Work by John W. Howell

Work produces much,

Important food on the list…

Love has to be part.

Friday JohnKu – AKA TGIF

July 1, 2016June 30, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 32 Comments

Happy Friday

Another busy week has flown. I was pleased to see my manuscript for the next John Cannon thriller in my inbox this week. I say pleased but also with a little tension since the ball is now in my court to start the formatting. My past life has complicated things and found me again. I have accepted an offer I could not refuse. Therefore I will be balancing my writing life and the life of a member of organized commerce. The assignment is a short one so hopefully, I can do justice to both.

One item that could suffer is my daily involvement in my blogging efforts. I still believe I will be able to carry the load, but want to ask forgiveness in advance if I miss a comment or two on your excellent work. I will be posting each day unless there is a conflict of priorities. With all that said, today’s JohnKu discusses the bitter and sweet aspects of life.

Opportunity,

Arrives from out of the blue…

Happy smiles with tears.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

June 24, 2016June 23, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 40 Comments

TGIF

Friday is here once again and with it the promise to lay those burdens down for a bit of rest. This week was marked with a whole bunch of nothing. All I managed to accomplish was seven blog posts and staying ahead of the e-mail and Twitter feeds. I did not pen (er type) a word on any WIP nor did I edit a single line. This has to be the first time in over four years that I have not added a thing to a piece of work.

I have been involved in another project doing organized commerce kind of work so I know I have an excuse. I feel like I have ignored one of my kids or something. I have been waiting around for the editor to return Our Justice so I can begin formatting it for publication, so I think I have given myself an excuse for avoiding my other projects. I gotta stop that behavior now. *Slap* “Thanks, I needed that.”

Today’s JohnKu talks about excuses. I hope you enjoy it.

Tough project ahead,

Hard to begin the first step. . .

Need excuses fast.

Friday – JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

June 17, 2016June 16, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 35 Comments

Chill out its Friday

Well, we have had another busy week. The rain finally stopped falling, and we have a good old Texas High sitting over the state. That means high humidity and temperatures in the 100’s for a heat index. Near the Gulf, the temperature is about ten degrees cooler, yet the index is still uncomfortable due to the humidity which is usually not as high.

I spent the week pretty much promoting the sale of His Revenge. I spent a little money on advertising the promotion and can honestly say it did not pay off. I learned a lesson so I won’t be repeating it again with the organization I picked. Of course, the problem with the KDP promotions you only get one shot every quarter and if you blow the awareness program, it is a definite miss not recoverable soon. Also, I was all over Twitter and can honestly say that effort doesn’t track to sales. At least I can’t quantify sales as a result of Twitter activities.

Today’s JohnKu talks about trial and error as the most naive learning model

Learning by John W. Howell © 2106

Try this and then that,

There must be a solution. . .

If you keep trying.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

June 10, 2016June 8, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 34 Comments

His Revenge

Another big week has gone. I finished my run through of the editor’s work on Our Justice (The third book of the John J. Cannon Trilogy) and was pleased to get it back onto her desk for the last brush up. She did some great work, and I am very happy.

Also, I have the second book, His Revenge on special from now until Monday, June 13th. The sale is in the US and UK market. The price is a paltry 0.99 in dollars and pounds. The links:

US http://goo.gl/1NuXIK

UK http://goo.gl/GIsEnV

Today’s JohnKu talks about a sale. Hope you like it.

Bargains are very fun,

We hunt quality for cheap. . .

At whose final cost.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

June 3, 2016June 4, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 44 Comments

TGIF Friday is here again.Woo Woo. This week saw the arrival of two things. 1. My manuscript for the final book in the John J. Cannon Trilogy

1. My manuscript for the final book in the John J. Cannon Trilogy Our Justice came back from the editor. The final edit is now in process and once I’m finished it will go back for one more review and then off to formatting. I say that like I have a department that does the formatting work. No, I have learned to do it myself. So after the final review, I will be sweating over a hot keyboard doing the print and e-book versions.

2. My cover for Our Justice is also finished. I got the final version from the talented graphic designer and I am very pleased. The cover shows John Cannon as I have always pictured him. I will be having a cover reveal when I get a little closer to the date of publication. I am shooting for July so it is not too far away.

Today’s JohnKu talks about seeing your hard work finally coming to a conclusion . I hope you like it.

The effort was hard,

The results took longer. . .

Glorious final.

Friday JohnKu – AKA- TGIF

May 27, 2016May 25, 2016 ~ John W. Howell ~ 36 Comments

happyfriday

Friday has to one of the best days of the week. I know when I get up on Friday, I feel like it is special somehow. Just knowing Saturday is just eight hours and change away puts a smile on my face. It wasn’t always that way. I remember when I was held prisoner by organized commerce, Fridays were always unique in that major and sometimes traumatic events took place on a Friday.

There were always staff meetings on Friday and they were usually good times spent with colleagues trying as best as possible to explain misses in the goal, budget, or quota. It became a game of verbal dodgeball played with all the rules of a cage death match. The song “Only the Strong Survive” continually played in your head. By five o’clock all the combatants have been vanquished and the boss can now enjoy the weekend.

Fridays are the days when those who are being made available to the industry are informed of their new mobile status. What makes the occasion so festive is the presence of security and the collection of personal effects to be placed in a cardboard box for the walk of shame. These occasions always reminded me of the tale of Lady Godiva who although naked no one in the village looked except a guy named Tom. In a similar manner, no one looks at the person moving slowly to the exit.

Fridays are the days when new managers have meetings to explain to the population the rules of conduct going forward. These meetings take on the air of capitulation almost like foreign troops occupying a town. There are the usual subjects which raise their hands and ask questions only to noticed by the new overload. There are also those whose conduct serves to let the new overlord know they are fully co-operative and totally on board with the new changes. These are the ones who could be labeled collaborators when the next regime liberates the group. The offshoot of this kind of meeting is clandestine plans of resistance formulated in a secret bar by the loyal few who plan the overthrow.

I guess Friday should be simply the end of the work week. Today’s JohnKu talks about Friday.

It’s only a day,

Although it seems so special. . .

We still love it, though.