Book Review - Hey Buddy

About the Book

Author pursues Buddy Holly’s continuing impact on music and the lives of fans

Rock-and-roll pioneer Buddy Holly was just a kid from Lubbock, Texas, sporting black horn-rimmed glasses. Now, more than five decades after his tragic death, he and his music still affect lives around the world. The Iowa plane crash that killed him, The Big Bopper, and Richie Valens in 1959 is one of the most memorable plane crashes in history.

Gary W. Moore, the award-winning author of Playing with the Enemy, was born in 1954 but was not a fan of rock music. He knew nothing of Buddy Holly until he attended a tribute to him and his music by musician John Mueller in 2009. He was moved by the performance and astonished to learn that thousands of people of all ages around the globe are dedicated fans.

Hey Buddy: In Pursuit of Buddy Holly, My New Buddy John, and My Lost Decade of Music is Gary Moore’s chronicle of his personal journey to discover more about Buddy’s talent and character, his influence on generations of rock musicians, and the times in which he lived. He interviews people who were there the day of the crash, Buddy’s personal friends and family members, celebrities, and current-day Buddy enthusiasts. Hey Buddy examines our culture and how the young man from Lubbock brought us from where we were five decades ago to where we are today.

Along the way Moore discovers new information about the doomed charter flight that took off in bad weather with an inexperienced 21-year-old pilot. Himself a pilot, Moore and an aviation crash expert recreate the short flight. They conclude that the National Transportation Safety Board should re-open the crash investigation based on claims from the owners of the plane that the truth behind what happened that fateful night has never been told.

Hey Buddy: In Pursuit of Buddy Holly, My New Buddy John, and My Lost Decade of Music

By Gary W. Moore

List $25.00

ISBN: 978-1-932714-97-5

Published January 2011 by Savas Beatie LLC

Available at bookstores nationwide and online.

For more information and book tour schedule dates, visit www.heybuddybook.com

About Author Gary W. Moore

Gary W. Moore is an inspirational and motivational speaker, successful entrepreneur, accomplished musician, and award-winning and critically acclaimed author.

As author of Playing with the Enemy, Gary tells the story of his father, Gene Moore and his remarkable life in baseball and war. Playing with the Enemy will soon be a major motion picture. Gary is also a contributing author to the bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul series and author of two upcoming books, Brimstone: The Dee Harper Story; and Carbon Hill.

Gary has been featured in publications such as Entrepreneur Magazine, Selling Power Magazine, Sales and Marketing Management Magazine, Impromptu Magazine, and Southwest Airlines’ Spirit Magazine, and has appeared on CNN, CNBC, ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox.

Gary is a recipient of the prestigious Sam Walton Leadership Award and because of his unique speaking and writing style, has become known as “America’s Storyteller!”™

My Take on the Book 
This book was a well researched book that truly draws you in. I was very impressed with the book and the information that was shared. I have read many things in the past about Buddy Holly and his death, but this book takes it to the next level and allows the reader to learn so much more than has been shared in the past. All of the material opened my eyes to the many different things that went wrong to make the airplane crash occur. 

If you like Buddy Holly, or historical non-fiction, then you will love this book!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
  

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Matthew West - The Story of your Life

About the CD
For his new record, Matthew West did something unusual: He turned the microphone around. Rather than write about what he was experiencing in his life, he asked his fans to submit the stories of their lives. When he opened up this opportunity to his fans, the message spread quickly - and soon almost 10,000 stories were submitted. Radio stations, media outlets, and retailers caught the vision and helped spread the word of this unique album. The stories gave Matthew a window into what his fans had experienced in their lives. And they covered a wide range of human experiences and emotions. From joy to sorrow, struggle to victory, and life and death. The song "Family Tree" describes how Christ gives us a new identity and legacy and life, while "One Less' chronicles the joy of adoption and helping those most in need. "Broken Girl" tragically recounts the countless stories Matthew received about sexual abuse - and describes the healing and redemption that Christ promises. "My Own Little World" perhaps serves as a capstone to the entire album, describing a person who lived in their own "little world" and then was awakened to the bigger picture of need and God's work in the world.

My Take on the CD
For his new record, The Story Of Your Life, Matthew West did something unusual: He turned the microphone around. Rather than write about what he was experiencing in his life, he asked his fans to submit the stories of their lives. I loved this as you do not tend to find artists that have done this in the past. What I was amazed about was the fact that his idea spurned so many stories. I know that I would have found it very difficult to sift through them all to identify which ones that I was going to focus on.

Because these stories became the songs that West wrote the music on this album is very personal and share a wide array of  human experiences and emotions. These songs are powerful and poignant and for me the one that simply jumps out at you most was the song, "My Own Little World" and "One Last Christmas"

All of the songs on this album are strong and powerful and I believe the best thus far that Matthew West has shared with us, his fans!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
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Book Review - The Joy of Compassionate Connecting

About the BookJames Prieto is the author of The Joy of Compassionate Connecting – The Way of Christ through Nonviolent Communication. His mission is to facilitate communication and contribute to deepening relationships between people, within groups and organizations, through the practice of Nonviolent Communication (NVC).

Nonviolent Communication, also known as Compassionate Communication, was created by famed American psychologist Marshall Rosenberg.  It is a conversational framework that invites listening from the heart, encouraging a letting-go of outcomes and judgments for the sake of connection, helping people understand each other peacefully. The purpose of NVC is to strengthen our ability to inspire compassion in others and to respond compassionately to others and to ourselves.   It guides us to reframe how we express ourselves, as well as how we hear others, by focusing on what we are observing, feeling, needing and requesting.

Appealing to Christians (or anyone with a desire to improve relationships through better communication), Prieto’s book describes the Way of Christ through Nonviolent Communication, demonstrating how the teachings of Jesus exemplify values of love, mutual respect, responsibility and compassion.  This text is a guide showing how NVC facilitates living in integrity with these values – something politicians and corporate America could definitely benefit from in today’s society.

The Joy of Compassionate Connecting is packed with personal stories that demonstrate how a follower of Christ can incorporate NVC to turn troubled relationships into joy-filled connections.  It is an invitation for readers to rediscover Christian principles, showing that by applying them in everyday communication the reader can get to experience the treasures Jesus taught us by transforming our relationships with compassionate connecting, ultimately partaking in the spirit-filled life.
James Prieto is a software developer for a consulting company in southern California.  Raised a Catholic, baptized a Christian in the Pacific Ocean in 2003, he is passionate about his spiritual journey in connection with the Creator and others, and continues to follow the Way of Christ in his everyday life.  Discovering NVC in 2002, he has immersed himself in it ever since –pursuing ways to contribute to peace and help others build fulfilling relationships through his writing, practice groups and workshops.
For more information, please visit www.compassionateconnecting.com.

My Take on the Book
I did not know what to expect in this book when I received it,  but after reading through a number of the chapters, I have to say that the book is a great combination of practical wisdom from Scripture and many other fields.  What I liked was that the book went deep and asked questions to make you think deeper about your own connection to nonviolent communication.

At the end of each chapter, the author provides discussion questions to help the reader organize his or her thoughts around the books' emotional and intellectual content. The book is actually written to promote discussion and I could easily see a group of people taking the book and using it to start having quality dialogue regarding nonviolent communication. 

For me, there were a few areas that referenced wikipedia, and being a person that relies on quality research, I tend not to always appreciate references to this type of online reference, but other than that I was quite impressed and know that other readers will be as well.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions. 

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Book Review - 2012 The Awakening

About the Book

2012 The Awakening (Illumination Corporation publishing) weaves spiritual, economic, environmental, and political truths into a narrative yarn that bends reality and fiction to forge a larger truth.

Can a novel affect the future?  FBI whistleblower, and TIME Magazine Woman of the Year, Coleen Rowley, believes this one can. She wrote of the recent “Best Novel of the Year Award” winner (chosen by Spiritual Enlightenment Magazine), 2012 The Awakening: “Constructive visionary Bill Douglas understands that there could be an antidote [to society’s challenges]. Dreaming of it may just be the first step to a real “Awakening”!”

Could the human mind be creating today what the world will become tomorrow? This assertion is made in this unique book, and it has excited spiritual leader/author, Deepak Chopra, who wrote of 2012 The Awakening: “What a gift it is to see fictional entertainment tackling the large issues of humanity!”

2012 The Awakening, by a Kansas author, paints a vision of global possibility, whereby vastly complex issues facing humanity may have very simple and elegant solutions that are rooted in ancient spiritual prescription, shared by all religions that have been with us for millennia, but not utilized for maximum effect.
The book asserts that at this time in human history, when the planet is saturated and the resources are tapped, is when ancient spiritual truths passed down through the ages may now find a central role in future decisions that will mean the difference between an endlessly squabbling world of diminishing resources, and a collaborative world we can all love living in.

The author, in his spellbinding narrative, explains that what our world will become – is now forming in the fabric of the human psyche, and there is reason for great hope for the future.

2012 The Awakening is currently available at amazon.com, Amazon Kindle, bn.com, and from the publisher at: http://www.2012TheAwakening-TheNovel.com

My Take on the Book
This fast paced, thought provoking novel is one that all should read. The book was both engaging and entertaining and in its own way inspirational as well. As a reader you are drawn into the story so that you relate to the characters and so that you truly feel for the characters within the story itself. 

The story and plot within the book were exciting and was an exciting one that will definitely hold your interest, and more importantly, it will make you think. The plot holds suspense and and is upllifting. Overall, it is a book that will relate to most readers and I would highly recommend it

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

  

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No Chimney Full of Toys?

How to manage children’s expectations and disappointment during the holidays,
and other tips for managing stress.

An interview with Dr. Jeffrey I. Dolgan, Senior Psychologist at The Children’s Hospital, Denver

What do the holidays mean to children?
The holidays mean different things at different ages. Three or 4-year-olds don’t get the Christian meaning of Christmas, but they do get Santa Claus. They understand that they’re going to get some presents. It’s a time of imagination.

What is the idea of Santa Claus like for a 4-year-old?
Santa Claus is the giver of all good things. This is especially true if children have been to the mall and met Santa Claus and told him what they want.

What do 4-year-olds expect at Christmastime?
Kids are precise about what they want. It’s not a video game, it’s this particular video game. It’s not an action figure, it’s this action figure. They expect these precise things, especially if they wrote it down or visited Santa Claus. Children come to expect that all kids should have these toys, especially if the ads instruct them to, “Tell Mom and Dad” or “Make sure to mention this to Santa Claus.”
What should parents do when a child doesn’t get what he or she wanted?
The idea is that it’s not about getting, it’s about giving. Families can plan to volunteer at a shelter – or whatever it might be – to open up kids’ eyes to the fact that there are needy people. Parents can say: “This has been a tough year and many boys and girls have mommies and daddies who lost their jobs or are having a hard time staying in their houses. We can help Santa by doing some things that he would do because he’s having a very hard time providing all the food and clothes.”

If families are struggling financially, parents can also talk about “Santa dollars.” They can explain that Santa has just so many dollars to spread across many families, so he has to do different things this year, like giving food and clothing instead of toys. Everybody’s not going to get exactly what they want and it’s important not to be apologetic about it.

Is it good for kids to deal with disappointment?
Yes. These are the building blocks of personality. Dealing with disappointment means both managing expectations and identifying feelings. Unless you master disappointment or an upsetting event early, it will be much more difficult to deal with it later on. Children who grow up without any disappointment become entitled and narcissistic. And that’s very hard to treat. Those who are truly entitled think everything comes their way and nothing goes the other. They think they’re the center of the universe. When someone thinks that way, who can they share with?

Kids should use their words instead of “behaving out” what they feel. In our groups here at Children’s, we use a five-step-process called the Assertiveness Formula of Good Communication to help kids – even little kids – express their feelings. We say something like, “When ____ happened, I felt ____ because ____. I would like ____ and in return Mom and Dad get _____.” This teaches children the importance of compromise and thoughtfulness and the idea of alternatives.

What life lessons do kids learn at the holidays?
It’s an opportunity to know some myths; it’s an opportunity to work towards a belief system; it’s an opportunity to reconnect outside of school. Doing something together is very, very important. If parents reflect on the best part of the holidays, they can replicate that. And they remember the worst part of the holidays and learn not to bring that back either.

Why is that good for kids to have myths?
I think it’s good to have a symbol and to believe. This is the beginning of a belief system, which we all need so we have something to hang on to later on. For little kids, it’s something to look forward to. If they disbelieve, they can become negative and they lose a kind of charm.

When is it appropriate for a kid to stop believing in Santa Claus?
I think it’s appropriate to believe in something about Santa Claus forever. There’s a lot of charm about this.
How can parents manage children’s free time during the holidays?

The holidays are a break from school, which we know is very structured. So when kids are home, parents should think through a day-by-day schedule. A child may beg Mom to go somewhere that day and Mom can respond by saying, “Not today, we planned that for Friday.” Map it all out and make a calendar. The other thing is to involve kids in the family lore and traditions. This keeps them busy and keeps the family heritage alive.
What do the holidays mean to the public in general?
The holidays are a time of family and togetherness and inviting in. If things have not been particularly wonderful then it’s amplified around holiday time. There could be a strange relationship with the kids’ grandparents, for example, and they pick up on that. Parents have to be careful about who they invite in and for how long.
How do parents control who comes in the house or comes to the family gathering?
It’s very hard because the primary concerns are about safety and security for their kids so that should come first, not a sense of obligation. Parents need to anticipate the behavior of their guests.

How do parents deal with that when there are family politics involved?
If there are two partners, then they should talk it over. The house is sacrosanct and you get to decide who comes in and out. If there’s someone who wants to come but you don’t want her there, then do something else with her.

What should parents be aware of during the holidays?
One that I always talk to parents about is the difference between “act” and “person.” The song lyrics say, “He sees you when you’re sleeping, he knows when you’re awake, he knows if you’ve been bad or good…” A lot of parents talk about a “bad” child. They’re making a big mistake. They’re not talking about behavior. Good people can do bad things and bad people can do good things. I like that lyric because it’s about behavior.

For more questions about the holidays or child psychology, please visit http://www.thechildrenshospital.org/ or contact:

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
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Get Up To $10 Off Your Gulliver's Travels with MGM & Fox Blu-rays & DVDs!!

uy MGM & Fox Blu-rays and DVDs and get yourself some Hollywood Movie Money!

         

With Gulliver's Travels in theaters this weekend, it's the perfect time to stock up on some of the below movies, grab your Hollywood Movie Money sticker and save on your travels with Gulliver!

MGM & Fox have partnered with Hollywood Movie Money to offer up to $10.00 (on select Blu-ray titles) and up to $7.50 (on select DVD titles) toward the purchase of theatrical tickets to The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of The Dawn Treader and Gulliver's Travels. This is a fantastic deal, which you can find directly on the Blu-ray and DVD packaging in store. Please see below for a complete list of participating titles as well as examples of the stickers that you'll need to look for in stores.

         

Select Blu-ray Titles Include up to $10 in Hollywood Movie Money!
The Christmas Collection
Night at the Museum Collection
The Home Alone Collection
The Holiday Classics Collection
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Miracle on 34th Street ('47)
Miracle on 34th Street ('94)
Jingle All the Way  
Home Alone
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Night at the Museum
Alvin and The Chipmunks
Ice Age
Ice Age The Meltdown
Horton Hears A Who
The Pink Panther 2

         

Select DVD Titles Include up to $7.50 in Hollywood Movie Money!
Home Alone: The Complete Collection
Christmas Classics Collection
Christmas Favorites Collection
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Ice Age
Ice Age: The Meltdown
Horton Hears A Who
Alvin and The Chipmunks
Night at the Museum
Miracle on 34th Street Special Edition ('94)
A Christmas Carol ('84 Live-Action)
Miracle on 34th Street Special Edition ('47)
Jingle All the Way Family Fun Edition
Deck the Halls
Home Alone Family Fun Edition
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Garfield's Pet Force
Garfield Gets Real
Garfield's Fun Fest
Strawberry Shortcake: Berry Merry Christmas
Olive The Other Reindeer
The Family Stone
A Christmas Carol (Animated)
The Ultimate Gift
Pink Panther: A Pink Christmas
Love's Long Journey
Loves Unfolding Dream
One Night With the King
Mother Theresa
Love Takes Wing
Love Finds A Home
Robe, The
Bible, The
Angel Wars: Messengers
Be Still
Secret Things of God
Love Comes Softly
David and Bathsheba
Man Called Peter
Loves Abiding Joy
Story of Ruth
Love's Unending Legacy
Last Sin Eater
Saving Sarah Cain
Loves Enduring Promise
Passion of the Christ
Francis of Assisi
Final Inquiry

We hope you've found something you like in that great list of releases! All of the above titles are available now and are a perfect way to not only stock up on Blu-ray and DVD for the holiday season, but also to get some money toward the purchase of a ticket to two great theatrical releases!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
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Scramble Squares - New Award-Winning Educational App!

Scramble Squares^®, the global leader in challenging educational puzzles with powerful graphics and multigenerational appeal, is pleased to announce that it has moved into the mobile space with the launch of its digital gaming application, Scramble Squares^®, for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch.  A full version of Scramble Squares^® is a FREE iTunes download that contains one FREE puzzle, a practice puzzle and an additional interactive puzzle challenge. Additional puzzles are available for purchase in-app at $4.99.

Scramble Squares® are visual puzzles comprised of nine square pieces, each containing images that must be properly arranged to form one complete image solution.  Scramble Squares® puzzles look easy to solve but in reality, only one in every 5,000 people can unscramble a Scramble Squares® puzzle in under 5 minutes.

The Scramble Squares® app and puzzle library, built to take advantage of the features of Apple’s iOS 4 operating system, is designed for universal appeal to males and females of any age, featuring over 140 original creations in a variety of themes including nature, sports, history, culture, geography, science, technology, gourmet, occupations, fantasy, hobbies and activities.   

The iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch Scramble Squares® application includes one free

5-MINUTE CHALLENGE^® puzzle and one free game puzzle players solve at their leisure. Players who solve the 5-MINUTE CHALLENGE^® puzzle in under five minutes receive an additional free brainteaser puzzle, a $4.99 value.

Demo Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLSpUXCURGg

Funny promotional video with Santa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4yv2acUxAo

The iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch application allows in-app purchases of additional puzzles from a library of over 140 puzzles; connectivity to the Apple Game Center so players can see where they rank with other players; communication through Facebook and Twitter for social gamers; and location-based iOS geolocation features to find nearby retailers that sell physical Scramble Squares® puzzles.  All Scramble Squares® puzzles are stored in an in-app bookcase, similar to Apple’s iBook organization. 

Kathie and Marshall Gavin introduced four Scramble Squares® puzzles to the market in 1993, instantaneously receiving a tremendous response from the market and trade media. >After gaining global popularity, winning hundred of awards and appealing to children and adults of all ages as a cross-generational family activity, Scramble Squares® is expanding its reach with mobile technology in partnership with 247 Ventures, Inc., an interactive application development company.

“We are passionate about creating entertaining, educational, beautiful and challenging puzzles for adults and children,” said Marshall Gavin, co-founder of b. dazzle and Scramble Squares®.  “We understand that the digital age is here and are pleased with the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch application 247 Ventures, Inc. created to bring Scramble Squares® puzzles to the 21^st century.”

Dr. Stevanne Auerbach, known as Dr. Toy (www.drtoy.com), has consistently recognized the social and educational value of Scramble Squares® puzzles.  Dr. Toy responded after experiencing the new digital format, “Playing with Scramble Squares® is always fun, plus these puzzles challenge minds of all ages. Now, with the immediate interaction provided by app technology, the playability is even more portable, engaging and compelling.  It’s a winner!” 

To download the FREE Scramble Squares® app, including the 5-MINUTE CHALLENGE^® giving you the chance to win another FREE Scramble Squares® puzzle, visit http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/scramble-squares/id407954395?mt=8 .  For more information about the Scramble Squares^® app for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch: www.scramblesquares.com.  Like us on Facebook for updates on the product and meet other 5-MINUTE CHALLENGE^® masterminds Facebook.com/ScrambleSquares, follow us on twitter@ScrambleSquares, and visit our YouTube Page (YouTube.com/ScrambleSquares) to see a demo of the app in action and even some surprise messages from a very famous holiday celebrity.

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About b. dazzle, inc.

Founded in 1993, b. dazzle, inc. is a progressive market-driven company which manufactures and distributes wholesale in the gift, souvenir, toy and educational products industries a wide range of beautiful, wholesome, entertaining and informative made-in-America gifts of high quality and low cost for all ages of adults and children that can be selected by topic to appeal to the personal interests of the recipient and can be enjoyed as cross-generational family activities.  For more information, visit http://www.b-dazzle.com/  or www.scramblesquares.com

 

247 Ventures, Inc. 

Founded in 2009 by three former marketing and media executives, 247 Ventures, Inc. develops applications and provides cloud-based hosting and rich media connectivity and serving for mobile devices as well as social networks and other internet connected devices. Based in Houston, Texas, 247 Ventures works with enterprise customers as well as develops their own portfolio of direct-to-consumer apps.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.  

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