I'm As Excited as a Fat Kid in a Doughnut Shop!

Okay, okay, I could have been a little more sensitive to fatties (like me) when I titled this entry, but hey, when you are excited, you are just excited! In a world that seems, according to the Interwebs and nightly news, upside down, I take great pleasure when something revs my happy engine!

In a very short time--I don't want to predict a go-live date--my third book, and first compilation of short stories/conversations, will be released. Yes, I hope that it is ready by the end of July 2018 (that is the goal), but the reality of book publishing is predicated by Murphy and his ridiculous law.

When my first book was scheduled to be released, I made a big announcement before having to walk it back after a call from my publisher telling me there was a "snag." The snag turned into a month delay and caused me much embarrassment, especially with those who pre-ordered the novel. As with my second book, I will take pre-orders, but not until I am assured that everything has been green-lighted.

My newest title, My Dog's P.O.V. (and How He Sees the World) is a compilation of "talks" I have with my dog, Rex. It is true...I talk to my dog, but what pet owner doesn't? Is it possible to look at your pet and not speak to him or her? Perhaps the difference, though, is--via body language--I "hear" his responses. In my mind I hear Rex tell me to mow the lawn because the grass his slapping him in the face, or ask if he can drive when he hops in my lap while I am driving down the highway.

You may call me crazy for having these conversations, and you certainly would not be the first, but I prefer to think of myself as a Rex Whisperer, rather than "not quite right in the head." Ever since we first adopted the little turd, he and I have had a peculiar connection. I get him, and he gets me in a way that only humans and their animals can. No matter what, he is there to greet me, console me, or simply to talk when I need to talk.

My Dog's P.O.V. (and How He Sees the World) is a book of our discussions. Whatever pops into Rex's mind is discussed and hashed out, including his neutering and how he always blames me despite he was neutered prior to adopting us. His short term memory is not that great, it would appear, but nevertheless, he has a rather prophetic way of looking at life, the yard, and everything (tips hat to Douglas Adams).

I do hope you enjoy this newest release, as I am so very happy to bring it to you. The hours spent in front of a monitor and mapping out the conversations on my dry erase board have finally come to life, or at least they almost have. Every pet owner, most especially dog owners, will enjoy this read. Rex's wit, sarcasm, and world perspective is hilarious and thought provoking.

As we get closer to the release date, I will be sure to keep everyone updated!

http://www.howardupton.com/

Conversations With Rex--a Step Closer

I haven't seen any of my words make their way to print for a few years now, and I've grown somewhat disheartened. That's why, after taking a break to work on this small soon-to-be-book, I predict that writer's glow that will surely hang about me for a while.


Unlike many who enjoy putting their thoughts to paper, creating new stories or content hasn't been a problem; on the contrary, I sometimes overwhelm myself with ideas and struggle to remain focused on one. To say I am a victim of my own creativity is probably true, but I don't really know how creative I am to be honest--maybe I simply think I have something to say. 😃


I often hear people say, "I don't have time..." and usually roll my eyes at the sentiment, but to be honest, time hasn't been a friend of late. During the Spring and Summer, like so many, it seems as though I am running from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed. When I do have some downtime, I'm exhausted and find it difficult to think logically, much less work on a book.


Other times, I believe I'm just being lazy and lack focus. This is probably a true sentiment, as well as my inability to manage time. The minutes get away from me, and although I my heart tells me to get to work, my body tells me not to move. My body usually wins the argument.


With a renewed vigor, though, I have pushed forward to finish my latest creation, Conversations With Rex. The cover design is in process, and I am working on a few graphics for insertion into the script. The book will be a small one, but it is one rife with passion and love. It also provided a break for me when it comes to action, adventure, and conspiracy. Now that I can see the  proverbial Rex at the end of the tunnel, I hear Bill Evers hollering for me to get back to work on his stuff (I have three different Evers stories at various points in their respective creation).


The book, Rex that is, is about my discussions with my small dog and his reflections on the world at large. His unique perspective and quirky idiosyncrasies, I felt, were worthy of documentation. Some may call me weird or strange (most do anyway), but pet owners talk to their animals all the time. Rex answers and carries on conversations in my head. His personality makes it easy to understand what he's thinking, and his body language speaks volumes. As my buddy Gary has said on occasion, "Rex knows things." Yes, yes he does.


Lastly, I realize I've posted about works before, and don't want to be the boy who cries wolf. Conversations will be released by Summer's end, if not sooner. So, I beg forgiveness of those who enjoy my writing, and ask that you continue to bear with me (although I doubt anyone will die without reading the next Evers's novel).


Rex's smart mouth will come to you soon--and no, I have no idea where he learned to be so cynical and sarcastic.

The Possibilities

Like most, I spend time on social media getting a feel for how others think. I make my political affiliations known--I am an open book when it comes to things like that. Try as I might, I work to convince others that my skew on things political and social have merit, but attempt to not get into the muck when the conversation devolves into personal insults. Yes, I am more than guilty of doing so, and sometimes post things I wish I could take back, or should not have posted to begin with--but in my defense, the logical side of my mind can take only so much.


It is interesting to me to find that my discourse with most people, regardless of political slant or perception, is very typically civil. Only from the safety of a person's computer or phone will the vileness rear its ugly head. Why folks feel it necessary to take the dialogue to the nasty abyss, I will never understand.


I would love to meet or find a person with opposing views from my own to simply hang out with and have some friendly debate. I run in circles with like-minded individuals, and miss the days of having these debates (I have lived in areas where the majority think differently than I).


Onto social media! Some semblance of civility should be a requirement for anyone with a Facebook or Twitter account, in my opinion. There seems to be a social disconnect, ironically, when engaging is social or political banter. The disconnect, of course, stems from ones inability to control his/her emotions when someone doesn't agree with their point of view. Give it a rest, keyboard warriors! The chances of you impacting someone to the degree that they will change their min on a topic is minimal at best. So, do not get your feelings hurt when someone disagrees. Keep to the facts and try real, real hard to not get personal (this is a difficult thing to accomplish).


It is also interesting to me, when discussing hot political topics with those who may have opposing points of view, to see how much we actually have in common. At best, most people have one, two, or three things they may strongly disagree with the majority about, but other things that do not personally impact them, or things that do not strike an emotional chord on, are largely overlooked. We should all keep that in mind when talking to our friends about touchy subjects.


If we could all sit down and speak face-to-face about various topics, we would most likely move the needle forward. It isn't always about whose side you are on; instead, focus on what makes our lives better. If we do this, the possibilities for human evolvement are endless.

That Uncomfortable Topic

I want to tackle a difficult issue, or at least an issue that makes a lot of people uncomfortable: racism. More specifically, the complexities of racism in today's society and what the word truly means. And lastly, and more specifically, I would like to discuss racism as it relates to business.


At the onset, it is important to understand that there is a clear delineation of racism and misconstrued social injustices perpetuated by one and assumed by the "victim." If we can agree upon a clear definition of the word, it is easier to have a discussion about it--

Racism: prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior.


By definition, there are actions associated with racism--prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against...


Nowhere in the definition does it say, "...or feelings hurt because of perceived injustices or biases..."


What do I mean by that? If your inner child is bruised because you did not get your way, you aren't a victim of racism; on the contrary, you are a victim of your own bruised ego, even if the person who did the bruising has a different skin color than you.


There now, we have set the stage for an open and honest dialogue about the topic.


Without a doubt, racism has existed and continues to exist around the world. All races are guilty of it, and some even act on their irrational fears. The action of racism is what really matters and is at the heart of this entry. After all, changing a person's heart is as difficult as redirecting the sun, but addressing it in a purely capitalistic sense is much easier.


I am a product of a capitalist society, and believe the almighty dollar has a way of righting wrongs. What do I mean by this?


Let's say, in today's society (and I don't care what region of the country this occurs) that someone is racially discriminated against in a retail environment. What does that discrimination look like? It could take several forms, but let us assume a black customer was refused service solely upon the color of his or her skin by a white attendant. That is blatant racism, by definition, and must be addressed. How it is addressed is an interesting topic, as well. Oftentimes, some greedy lawyer will take up the charge of racism, and his only demand is thirty percent of the take. When a person litigates, the litigation takes on a life of its own and is suddenly thrust into the public eye. Once media outlets pick up the story, the lawsuit becomes a political hotbed.


If the person suing the company wins, he or she may receive a financial windfall if the company is large and financially solvent. Small businesses will likely shutter their doors and people will lose jobs. The small amount of money given the person will be split with the attorney. What justice was served when this happens? It's arguable at best, but if it was someone working a cash register, why punish the shop owner if the shop owner was not at fault? See, things like this can be addressed prior to litigation. The victim, in this case, could have requested a manager or owner to address his or her concerns. If the person responsible for perpetuating the racist act has his or her employment terminated, that should be the end of it. Sadly, that isn't always the case, and an individual feels as though they must take legal action.


Another way to target business without involving an attorney is to take to social media. This, in my opinion, is one of the most effective ways of righting the ship. A business owner does not want negative publicity, and will likely act quickly to resolve the issue. I would caution anyone considering this to first address the problem as I outlined in the lawsuit scenario. No one likes to see businesses shutter doors when the owner is unjustly accused of something as serious as racism.


Now then, I want to address something I wrote earlier. If you or I interact with any person and a given frequency, we are likely to have something said to us that we do not like. Or perhaps, an outcome will be undesirable, even when we expected something totally different to happen. Just because you do not get your way, does not mean you are the victim of racism!

Let me say that again, just because you do not get your way, does not mean you are the victim of racism.


Your feelings are not anyone's concern, most especially in a place of business. When you go to a gas station to fuel your car, you expect a certain amount of gasoline for a price that is determined by someone else. You either accept their price point, or you shop somewhere else. See, you aren't being discriminated against, nor have you been victimized. If you go to that same station and the pump doesn't work, you aren't a victim of racism, you are likely a victim of technology, or a failure thereof. If you see a person with a different skin color using the pump just before you, and it is working fine then fails when you pull up, go ask the attendant what happened. Do not assume they shut it off because of your skin color. Make certain of an action before you scream racism, folks--otherwise, you take away the meaning of the word for an individual who has truly been victimized because of the color of his or her skin.


Believe me when I say, I understand the difficult nature of this topic. For those who want to say, "You aren't black, Hispanic, Asian (insert any race here), so you wouldn't understand," you are correct. But, let me make something clear to you: I'm a pretty smart feller and I understand actions. I get that a certain action must be put in motion before a charge of racism can or should be made. I don't need to be a different color to understand that my service to one group of people and denial of the same service to a different group of people is discriminatory. This is not rocket science, and I do not have to be a rocket scientist to understand this basic fact.


So, please, for the love of God--if you own or run a business, treat everyone the same. Also, if you do not get your way in a certain circumstance, think before you cry "racism." You hurt people I love who are truly victims when you make false claims. If we can all do this, we can live much happier lives.

Peace, love, harmony, and blessings to you ALL.

Life Churns, but We Focus Not Only on Today

Human beings are rather complicated creatures. A college professor of mine once quoted the following, "The only thing that separates us from the rest of the animal kingdom are table manners." For the longest I agreed with this trite sentiment, but over the years I've learned to disagree...somewhat.

We live in the emotional, some more than others. Since other animals can't speak, nor convey specific emotion, we assume they are either happy or content. But we are unique in this old world. We have at our disposal so many ways to communicate how we feel, our wants, our desires, and our obligations.

In our youth, we are often told we "believe the world revolves around us," but that is not really true in the purest sense of the word. While young, we only focused on the here and now, and have little concept of tomorrow or years down the road. Seventy years of age to an eighteen year old seems a million light years from them.

As we age, we become more socially, economically, and humanly aware. Our focus changes ever-so-slightly over time so that a legacy is left for our own children and grandchildren, however large or small it may be. Our impact on other's lives means more to us than it did when we had hair, lacked wrinkles, or the dreaded middle age spread.

This weekend, I was reminded of this more so than normal. As I normally do, my weekends are very busy with work, especially during the Spring and Summer months. However, I stopped for a moment to consider my children and where they are in their lives. I thought about my Mom, and my mother-in-law and how I hoped I made them proud. From deep down inside, I realized my legacy was two-fold: a desire for my children and family to be proud of me and what I have done in life, and to leave something positive for them all should I exit this world tomorrow.

All the money in the world doesn't matter, all the empty words, or simplistic and meaningless gifts we give have nothing to do with legacy. Memories and positive impact are what make us immortal in other's eyes. And while this sounds ego-centric, I believe this lasting legacy is what most of us want.

We are all human beings with our own faults, dreams, and desires. Why shouldn't we help those closest to us achieve those things they desire, or at least give them our undying love and support while they make way through this world.

Peace, love, and coffee to you all.

A Road Trip: Americana Style

It has been a few years since my last extensive road trip. If you exclude my daily jaunts into the metro Atlanta area, and eliminate the daily dose of road rage I suffer as a result of those drives in and out of the city, I really haven't driven very far. My last formidable drive was from Allentown, PA southward to Augusta, GA four or five years ago!


So, I headed off to Chicago this weekend to meet the newest addition to our family, our first granddaughter. I was so very excited to hold her, play with her, and teach her the value of screaming, "Roll Tide Roll!" After learning to articulate those three words, she will most certainly be destined for greatness.


My drive took me north into Tennessee; Chattanooga to Nashville, to be exact, before turning north and pushing through Bowling Green, Kentucky. If you have never seen glorious Nickajack just outside of Chattanooga, you are missing something. A broad expanse of water that lies in the shadows of Lookout Mountain, the wonder and beauty of it is difficult to articulate.

Someday, I would love to take the time to visit the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky, as I have passed it by at least four or five dozen times in my life, but time is never my ally when I travel solo, so, once again, the museum will have to wait. That said, I think fondly of sinkholes and crying insurance companies each time I see that line of checkered flags just to my west as I cruise by it.


From Bowling Green, I passed over the rolling hills of central Kentucky until finally arriving at the construction riddled city of Louisville. Named after a famous French king, Louisville is the perfect name for a city whose roads are constantly being re-paved. King Louis XVI, famously beheaded on the guillotine would have been proud of Louisville's constant construction zones. Some of the potholes I have hit on Interstate 65 through that fair town have made me feel as though my head would fall off and fillings would drop from my teeth. That said, I do enjoy seeing Louisville's small skyline built upon the Ohio River and the highway tribute to Mohammad Ali, who was born and raised in the city.

In most places, I can find beauty. In Indiana, I find it in my rearview mirror. I apologize to all my Indiana friends, but that drive is five of the most boring hours of my life. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy corn, just not five hours of it. Your windmill farm north of Lafayette is cute, especially if you like slowly moving monstrosities winking a red eye at you with great regularity. It's enough to give Frodo Baggins chills up and down his spine! The state's saving grace, however, are its wonderful people. The place is full of good country folk that talk funny. I love 'em!

If you have never had the pleasure of driving through or around Chicago, you have no idea what you are missing. Bumper-to-bumper fun with millions of your closest friends. At least they use turn signals here; contrast that to my daily Atlanta commute and I have to smile at Chicagoan's curious road "politeness."

Seeing the Sears Tower (yes, I know, Willis...what you talking about?) to your east is really quite inspiring. As I drove north and saw the massive building fade to my southeast, I grew even more inspired. That meant I was closer to my destination!

At long last, I arrived at my destination. After a weekend of emotional highs and lows (you'll have to read my previous blog entry to understand this), I was relieved to be here and finally get to meet our newest addition to the family, Maya, affectionately called "Maya Papaya." Our little granddaughter is a perfect little piece of art. Even her shrill little cry makes me smile.

The return trip to Alabama is scheduled to begin in a few days. As I sat belly-aching about it last night, Cathy said, "We should check out the Bourbon Trail in Kentucky." And that, fellas, is why I married her. Naturally, the anticipation of getting to our Bourbon Trail starting point will be prolonged by our drive through Indiana, but at least the state has some great people. :)

My Baby and the United States Army

Something that is uniquely different about the United States and many countries around the world is the phrase volunteer force. Militaries around the globe still have mandatory requirements for men (and sometimes women) to serve for a certain amount of time. Here in the States, conscription is not in place and our service members serve of their own free will.

Yesterday, May 5th, along with members of my family, our youngest daughter was publicly sworn into the U.S. Army. Hooah! It was a site to behold--dozens of our young standing on the old federal building steps in Gadsden, Alabama, each wearing shirts representing their respective branch of the military. They stood their before their recruiters and family and repeated their promise to uphold and protect the United States Constitution, and to protect us all against enemies "foreign and domestic." Wow.

I spent time considering that oath and realized the things I have done in my life pale in comparison to the promise these kids made. And close to the top of those steps stood my daughter Cassidy. She was beautiful, smiling, excited, and happy. Her dad was proud, happy, sad, and apprehensive all at the same time.

It is a natural thing for a parent to worry about their child. My concerns are even higher for a kid who enjoys sleeping to the crack of noon, walks like a tortured P.O.W. when asked to wash her dishes, and grunts when told to make her bed. But...but...but...

Over the past few months since she elected to join the military, I have watched a form of discipline overtake her. She willingly goes to P.T. during the week and, literally, runs laps around others who were a part of the group standing on those steps. Her little arms started taking on a much more muscular shape, and my proudest moment...

Prior to her swearing in, our neighbor, who is a pastor of a local church, came over and asked if he could pray over her. "Sure," she said. Before praying, he asked her a few questions about God, love, and perseverance. Each time she responded, she said, "Yes sir." To say my heart swelled with pride would be an understatement. She gets it, I know she gets it, and a pastor who is probably used to hearing, "Yeah," and "Uh huh" when he speaks with youth gets it too. She closed her eyes and concentrated on the prayer he offered then went on to work on a chore I had assigned her. She didn't even grunt this time.

Yeah, I am nervous and simultaneously overwhelmed with pride.

Go Cassidy, and go Army!