Helping Those in Need

We live in strange and dangerous times.  Political unease has drifted into different countries around the world, engulf various neighborhoods, and threatens to disenfranchise an entire generation of youth.  Our fingers point to those we believe shoulder the blame for the turmoil, and somewhere between the back-and-forth of fault placing lives people who are nothing more than shadows to most.  The poor, the destitute, the needy. 

I was raised to offer a hand to those who require it; this isn't charity--this is humanity.  Helping others doesn't necessarily have to be about the giving of funds.  Maybe it means giving someone less fortunate a hot meal or some clothes you no longer wear.  Perhaps it means just sitting down and listening to a person talk about the hard times they're currently facing.

Whatever you do to lend a helping hand, do it out of compassion and empathy, not out of self-gratification, nor to receive accolades from those who might see your "giving spirit."  This isn't a lecture, just a word of caution.  There is little humanity and love when satisfying your own ego!

A giving person isn't political--they are happy, living well (not rich, just well), realize there are those less fortunate, and understand that many who need help would never, ever ask for it. 

It's Christmas time, but soon the holidays will be gone.  People needing a little help won't be gone, however, so keep them at the front of your mind and in your heart, rather than in a little spot at the back of your head for future reference. 

Be well and Merry Christmas!

My Next Book Project--Something Different, Helpful, and Filled with Hope

I enjoy writing fictional action/adventure.  Military history, conspiracy theory, suspense all nuzzled in a blanket of current events is where I find my happy place.  Weaving stories from thin air (mostly) and watching the characters come to life in my mind and on my computer's monitor helps keep me centered.  "I write," as I've told many people, "so I can see how the story ends."

Over the past several months, I've been faced with a new reality--not one I've advertised and whined about--losing a lucrative job to corporate downsizing and finding myself in a lesser paying job (but hey, I'm thankful to be working).  As most who follow me know, my first two novels, Of Blood and Stone: A Bill Evers Novel and Occam's Razor: A Bill Evers Novel are both available in print.  I've been blessed and fortunate through a curious and wild twist of life events, despite that minor setback a few months ago.  My nose-to-the-grindstone work ethic instilled by my mother and father is something I lean heavily upon and am thankful to have.

Shortly after I was laid-off, I elected to attempt a different genre of writing: a non-fiction, reality based book rife with tales of personal turmoil and the ability to overcome.  Without giving too much away, my next book will be one that will bring you to tears, fill you with joy, make you think about your own situation and where you are in life, and hopefully make you thankful for what you have, rather than sad about what you don't.

I suspect this project will take some time to compile and be brought to life in print and digital media, but when it finally happens, I think it will be my proudest moment.  Not because it's my work, but because it's about you, the faithful reader.  These will be your stories, your tales, your tribulations, your good times and bad.  This is about and for you!

Occam's Razor--My Second Novel (and an excerpt)!

The level of excitement that goes into seeing all your hard work finally brought to print is beyond explanation.  Before I get too far down that path, however, I want to first thank all my faithful readers who continue to support my work, put up with my indescribably demented mind on social media, deal with my smack talk about my favorite sports team (if you know me, you know THE team about which I speak), and my generally strange sense of humor.  Without you, writing is an empty endeavor--for you make the journey worthwhile and meaningful!

Now, to say that I'm less excited about book two finally being available in print would be inaccurate.  In fact, not only am I much more excited about Occam's Razor being in print, I'm doubly nervous.  After all, when Of Blood and Stone was published, it was my first work, and I was naive and just happy to hold in my hands the fruit of my labor.  Book two, though, must live up to certain expectations and further develop characters that were introduced in its predecessor.

In Occam's Razor, Bill Evers is forced to confront a foe who is insistant upon reducing the world's population by a significant amount.  For years, left wing fanatics have made unfounded claims that the planet is overpopulated and is consuming natural resources faster than nature can replace them.  Although much of this talk is mere speculation and pseudo-science, there are those who take it as the gospel. 

When weaponized SARS and Ebola are purposefully released into the global population, Evers is in a race against time to keep further attacks from happening.  On top of the weaponized super-viruses, mass shootings on par with that of Nazi Germany are taking place in Argentina, as well as dirty bomb detonations in India, and attacks on nuclear facilities in France.  Finally, the reader quickly learns that the leader of the uber-left wing group is being led by the nose from an otherworldly leader whose level of evil and hatred are unprecedented.

From the novel--

 

“So, Mr…Abaddon, I fail to understand why you insisted that we meet.”

     A greasy smile spread over the man’s face. His blonde hair was slicked back and his ice-blue eyes pierced Trowton’s from behind squared spectacles. Abaddon sported a navy blue herring-bone suit that he wore without a tie and the top button left open. The suit accentuated a slender but obviously muscular frame, the frame of someone who paid special attention to his body and what went into it. Trowton noticed something odd about the man’s facial features, but couldn’t quite figure out what the oddity was.

     Trowton’s eyes fell to Abaddon’s hand, which quietly thrummed a black, ragged cover encasing a well-used and handled book. It took him just a second to process what the book was, the King James’s version of The Holy Bible. He watched as Abaddon picked up the Book and opened it toward the back.

     “I prefer this abridged version of The Word, Mr. Trowton,” he all but whispered. “The good king pared down the repetitious verses the Catholics prefer, as a result of the Council of Nicaea, but it’s mostly the same.”

     Trowton’s eyes fell to the opened book and saw the dog-eared pages. He noticed an underlined passage, Chapter one, verse three.

     Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things that are written therein: for the time is at hand.

     “Yes, Mr. Trowton. The Book of the Revelation is the only book in The Bible that promises its reader a blessing for having read it and remaining beholden to its words. I read it often,” Abaddon hissed.

     “I’m afraid I don’t believe anything written in that ancient book, Mr. Abaddon. It’s largely inaccurate prose, a poor record of historical accounts, and serves as little more than a means to control an uneducated public,” Trowton replied as he put the glass of Moscato to his lips.

     “And that’s where you and other academics get it wrong, sir. Make no mistake, this dusty book was written by those who experienced the very events described within it. No matter your nebulous opinion to the contrary, this Book is inspired and is mostly correct, with the exception of the ending. John’s dream and prophetic Revelation are nothing more than an attempt at a happy ending for those who would deny the truth, Mr. Trowton,” replied Abaddon.

     He continued, “As an example, ‘The Devil who had led them astray was thrown into the pool of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet were. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.’

     “Tell me, Mr. Trowton, how do you presume to believe the God of gods would banish his most treasonous of angels to a lake of fire, a burning bastion of pain and torment beyond human imagination then assume throwing him into that same lake would somehow torture him for an eternity?  If that lake were to become the Fallen’s domain, don’t you believe that God would have made the angel impervious to it? Does that make sense to you, sir?” the man finished cryptically.

The left wing group heading this evil plot truly exists.  This compilation of the most powerful individuals in the world are known collectively as "The Bilderbergers."  Right leaning politicians have attended their meetings, but it is believed that super-left wing world policies are born in these meetings and put into action.  Unfortunately for the likes of us, the meetings are not public, nor are members of the media allowed into them.

Yes, I'm so happy to bring this newest novel to you, Mr. and Mrs. Reader.  Let it be known that it is a work of fiction with legs left dangling in the lake of reality.  This tale will entertain you, perhaps scare you, but hopefully, it will entice you to research further some of the ideas and concepts revealed in the pages.

Occam's Razor is available for immediate purchase on Amazon.com (paperback and Kindle), or available for pre-orders from my site, howardupton.com 

I sign each book ordered from howardupton.com, so if you are interested in a personalized copy, please go there to purchase it.

Much love to you all!

A New (and fun) Writing Project

Recently, a friend of mine and I were discussing athletics and politics--two of my favorite subjects.  As Toby and I spoke about college football, he is probably a little less jaded than I in this arena, I proclaimed The University of Alabama's greatness and further dominance.  Toby, a lifelong University of Nebraska fan, threw out other schools that should be in the national discussion--teams like Baylor, Utah, and TCU. 


Blasphemy!  I could not believe he could utter such madness.  None of these teams played a South Eastern Conference schedule.  "No, but I remember when Utah wore Bama out in the Sugar Bowl," Toby smirked.


I wanted to throat punch him...make him pay dearly for bringing up a game from 2008...a painful, scorching memory entrenched in my mind after an SEC championship game loss to Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators.


We bantered back and forth for several minutes, and honestly, I have no idea how the topic was brought up, when the subject was brought up about the possibility of writing a sports related blog (specifically football, but sports in general) and politics.  Why not write about things we enjoy?  Let us forge ahead with topics we both enjoy discussing? 


We both have lives and other pursuits in which we are both engaged, but this subject matter is certain to entertain readers, and bring us both some strange (literary?) satisfaction.

Our Days

Each morning that I'm home, I walk outside, my hair a mess (what's left of it after forty-six years), coffee cup in hand and stare absently at the lake below our house. I listen as the birds come to life, completely unaware that today could be their last day. Frogs begin to quiet, aware their time is not now, but in the depths of darkness when other predators struggle to see their camouflaged bodies.


I breath deeply the fresh air, and sip gingerly from my coffee cup, the java still steaming from its recent course through my the machine that helps wake me every day. Every day the sun comes up, I'm reminded of God's blessings, the ability to see another spectacle that has been laid out for me, and those who matter most to me.


We all complain about our lives, but have you stopped to question what it is that's really bothering you?  Your job (be thankful you have one)?  Your house/apartment (be happy you have a roof over your head)?  Your significant other (be grateful you aren't lonely)?  Your situation in life (did you eat last night, or have a place to sleep)? 


On several occasions I've explained to people that I've seen destitution...I've seen people on the precipice of despair with only an insignificant thread on which to hang.  I've watched children beg for loose change to take to their parents so those parents can purchase a morsel of rice for their families.  I've watched pre-teens dancing and singing for money when they should have been in school learning to read and write.


My fellow North Americans and Europeans: while you scream for change and hope, or hope and change, there are others who cry out for just your petty change.  There are those who would love to be in your situation, have YOUR problems rather than theirs, and gladly change places with you even if for a day.


To cry and wail for change when our problems are so globally insignificant is perplexing to me.  Please save your pennies (even if they are pennies) and go see the world.  See what else is out there then you will have a much broader appreciation for what we have here.


With that, I will stare out at the lake that lies casually behind my house and listen to the birds as they wake to another day...those same birds without a care, or a cause, or a knowing.

Peace and love to you all.

Happy days!

I tend to be an optimist, even when I think the world is about to collapse.  Things can always get better because we control our own destinies, thoughts, actions, and reactions.  External sources will create obstacles for us, but we are enabled with the God-given ability to take a gross negative and turn it into a net positive.


"How is that possible," you might wonder?  Take everything as a gift--the good, the bad, and the ugly.  Piss poor people will be piss poor people; let them wallow in their petulance.  Don't let someone else live rent free in your mind, and shrug off events for which you have no control.


Most days I walk outside and stare at this little piece of earth the good Lord has blessed us with...and smile. The blue sky, the herons flying low over the lake behind our house, the sound of cicadas singing their strange song, our home, our children, our (mine and Cathy's) relationship...we have more than we deserve.


How could I possibly walk around like the weight of the world is pushing me through its crust?  Have there been challenges in my life of late?  Sure!  Will I allow those challenges to keep me down and have me blaming someone else for my ills?  No way. 


The Debbie Downers so many of us know are miserable people, and  I've elected to evict those Downers around me from my life--after all, I am my own landlord!  Hey man, seriously...why should I have to listen to or read someone's ten minute soliloquy about how everyone else is keeping them down or causing angst in their life?  Get a grip and take control, bro!


Do you ever stop and consider the many blessings that have been bestowed upon you, or do you have nothing but jealousy in your heart for those who are successful?  If that's you then you need to press your life re-set button.


Look, I'm not saying there aren't those who struggle, but even when I was struggling I wasn't miserable.  Planning and  plotting to make things better was always at the forefront of my mind.  I suggest you do the same and don't let those who think they are better than you, smarter than you, richer than you, or more spiritual than you have a say in how you feel.  Those people aren't worth your time. 

Be well and live happy! 

Coming Down the Pike

Life can be grandly spectacular (cantankerous). Curve balls and sliders will be thrown at you, and how you swing will determine the trajectory of your life. To say this year has been filled with surprises and let downs would be an understatement, but I'm not going to allow a setback to keep me from accomplishing those things in my life about which I am passionate.


With that, I've completed my most recent manuscript for what I hope will become my second novel. This particular endeavor was another work of determination, research, and a ton of time spent behind a keyboard. Better working on my book than dinking around on social media--although I must admit a certain affinity for doing so, but I digress.


This recent novel, the second in the Bill Evers series, is entitled Occam's Razor, and will once again take the reader to regions of the world they may not have ever seen, introduce them to a considerable amount of conspiracy theory, indulge their senses with a lot of action and adventure then finally overwhelm them with the spiritual and paranormal.


Once I completed the first draft of Occam's Razor my mind was already racing with plots for the third Evers book. As fortune would have it, ideas began forming and I began writing some notes and will soon begin performing research for the third installment. In the interim, however, I must admit a bit of self-indulgence while wallowing in self-pity.


Without going into detail about what was weighing heavily upon me a few weeks ago, I was reading a social media post thrown up on a friend's wall about the demons inhabiting his mind due to some of the nastiness he has seen while on the job. After swearing to himself that he would not work in that particular field again (never say 'never'), he was forced to step back into that arena in order to continue putting food on his family's table. 


Wow! His story put things into perspective for me and got me back to work on my book, because you see, I had put it down and mostly walked away from it for quite some time. Yeah, I would peck away on it here and there, but there was no real intent and vision for the last third of the novel. Then my friend posted his story for the world to read...and I was inspired!


No more pity parties, no more walking around like there was a black cloud hanging over my head. I put my nose to it and banged out the last portion of the book in two weeks. I felt energized and happy for the first time in quite a while, and have now decided on another book project that sways from my current genre, but it promises to fill a certain need I have for story telling and inspiration.  Just you wait and see what is coming your way over the next several months.  :)


Be well and be happy, y'all.  We're all we have you know.