Okay, here’s some more of the good news about Audiobook Heaven.
I already talked about Susan. She’s the person behind the website Audiobook Jukebox, and also the review editor for the website SFSite.com. She had asked me if I would be interested in submitting some reviews for SFSite and I said “Duh!” Well, I didn’t exactly say that, but you get my meaning. She told me about her list of books I could choose from and I was all happy about getting some free audiobooks. Since Susan is the editor of an audiobook review site, publisher’s send her the audiobooks for free since it’s good advertising for the publisher. Susan, in turn, sends the books out to her reviewers, of which there are about 12 including me.
As I was discussing all this with Susan, it occurred to me that hey, I run a legitimate audiobook review site of my own, why can’t publisher’s send free audiobooks to me? I looked around the web a little bit and found that this is a fairly common practice. Publisher’s like to send out review copies to reviewers at newspapers, magazines, websites, and yes, even little bloggers like me. So I started contacting some publishers. I’ve been reviewing for over a year so I know several of them. I looked up their contact information on the internet, and sent email inquiries to about half a dozen publishing companies to see if they would be willing to send me review copies. Of course, I provided them with links to my blog so they could check it out if they wanted to.
About eight days went by and I was beginning to despair, but then I got a bite! Someone from Blackstone Audio sent me an email saying that they were interested. She asked me how many audiobooks I could comfortably handle per month. The answer to that is between 15 and 20, but I didn’t want to seem greedy, so I said three. She had also asked me to go ahead and pick out some books from their website, which I did last Monday. Several more days went by, but on Friday she wrote back and said she had two audiobooks ready to send to me. The third one I picked is apparently still in production and not available yet so she asked me to make another selection, which I also did. Her only requirement is that when I review one of their books, I include a link to the product page at Blackstone for that book, and send her a link to the review I write, which is no problem at all.
This is really exciting! I haven’t heard back from any of the other publishers I contacted, but I’ll be getting audiobooks from Susan, and from Blackstone Audio, so that’s pretty awesome. Oh, the really exciting part is that Blackstone carries my favorite science fiction author, Ben Bova. I’ve been listening to audiobooks for about three years now and have never found a single one by Ben Bova, so I was really happy about that.
My career as an audiobook reviewer is really taking off! Now if I could just get someone to pay me! For now I’ll be content just to get somefree audiobooks. This will make a much wider selection available to me than what I’ve been able to find at the library.
Here’s the bible verse I got in my email yesterday:
1 Timothy 4:12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.
Today is my 40th birthday, but apparently God thinks I’m still young, so that’s good enough for me.
Showing posts with label 1 Timothy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1 Timothy. Show all posts
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Journal - The Dentist
Well, I had my dentist appointment on Wednesday. I had three bad teeth that needed to be pulled. I had been in to see him back in June and got some x-rays, so he already knew exactly what needed to be done. When I got there, I told him he could go ahead and do all three if he wanted to. I didn’t really think he would since they were on both sides of my mouth, but he just said “Okay, let’s do it!” I’m not sure I like how eager he was. He did a good job, though, and got all three of them in no time at all.
The whole thing cost $415, which was a bit less than I had expected. It’s a lot of money, but it’s always nice when something costs less than you expected. I have one more tooth that needs to be taken care of, but it’s closer to the front so I really want to get it crowned instead of extracted. That will be much more expensive so I’ll have to think about that. Once my mouth heals up it’s going to feel so good to have those teeth gone. They’ve been hurting for a long time.
After we got home, I laid down for a while and then Joni made me some mashed potatoes. I didn’t feel like messing with gravy so I just threw some cheese on them. Yummy!
Then, in the evening, the school bus driver stopped by. Adam is starting school in a couple of weeks and the bus driver said she likes to go around and meet everyone beforehand. I already know her, she goes to Mom’s church, but Joni and Adam had only met her once before.
So it was a pretty good day. I asked God for something good and He delivered; I got my teeth taken care of with no hassle, and it cost less than I expected. It seems like everything has been such a chore lately, and it was nice to get something done without a lot of run-around. Now if I can just find a job where I could make $415 an hour, I’ll be set!
1 Timothy 4:4-5 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
1 John 5:14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
The whole thing cost $415, which was a bit less than I had expected. It’s a lot of money, but it’s always nice when something costs less than you expected. I have one more tooth that needs to be taken care of, but it’s closer to the front so I really want to get it crowned instead of extracted. That will be much more expensive so I’ll have to think about that. Once my mouth heals up it’s going to feel so good to have those teeth gone. They’ve been hurting for a long time.
After we got home, I laid down for a while and then Joni made me some mashed potatoes. I didn’t feel like messing with gravy so I just threw some cheese on them. Yummy!
Then, in the evening, the school bus driver stopped by. Adam is starting school in a couple of weeks and the bus driver said she likes to go around and meet everyone beforehand. I already know her, she goes to Mom’s church, but Joni and Adam had only met her once before.
So it was a pretty good day. I asked God for something good and He delivered; I got my teeth taken care of with no hassle, and it cost less than I expected. It seems like everything has been such a chore lately, and it was nice to get something done without a lot of run-around. Now if I can just find a job where I could make $415 an hour, I’ll be set!
1 Timothy 4:4-5 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
1 John 5:14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Number 100
Wow, this is my 100th post! Hard to believe. My very first post to Drums In The Deep was wayyy back on September 6, 2009 which makes it exactly nine months from then until today. That means I have published new posts an average of 11.1 times per month, or one post every 2.7 days. I told you I was obsessive/compulsive. Didn’t believe me, did you?
Well, I don’t have anything in particular to talk about today, so I thought I would do a little bit of history research. I love studying history in case I never mentioned that before. Since this is my 100th post, I thought I would look up some things that happened 100 years ago, in 1910. Take a look at what I found:
Mother Teresa was born in 1910, as was famous mariner Jacques Cousteau. Bonnie Parker, half of the notorious Bonnie and Clyde duo, was born in 1910, and so was William Hanna, who was half of the Hanna-Barbera cartoon label. If you grew up in the 70's and 80's, you will no doubt recognize the Hanna-Barbera name. I think it was on about every other Saturday morning cartoon I watched as a kid. Speaking of Saturday morning cartoons, one of the ones I watched was Hong Kong Fooey. Hong Kong’s voice was famous jazz musician Scatman Crothers who was also born in 1910. You may also know Scatman as Dick Halloran from Stephen King’s “The Shining.” Last, but certainly not least, my Grandma Howard was born in January of 1910. Four more years and she would have been 100.
In 1910, a pair of famous painters died: Winslow Homer and Henri Rousseau. Also a trio of famous writers passed in 1910: Mark Twain, Leo Tolstoy, and O Henry. I think that last one was more famous for his candy bar than his writing. From the medical profession, Florence Nightingale, who made nursing a profession, and Elizabeth Blackwell, who is credited as the first woman doctor in America, both died. Also, King Edward the seventh of England died in 1910 after being king for only 9 years.
Here are some other things that happened in the year 1910:
A new land speed record of 131 miles per hour was set at Daytona.
The Boy Scouts of America was founded.
The planet Earth passed through the tail of Haley’s comet.
President Taft began the tradition of throwing out the first ball on opening day of baseball season.
The first Father’s Day was celebrated in Spokane, Washington.
The Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian Institute opened to the public.
Orville Wright opened the very first flight school in Montgomery, Alabama.
Wow, 1910 was a busy year! So that’s what was happening 100 years ago. It would have been interesting to live at that time, with airplanes and automobiles the latest technology. I like computers and cell phones and all the technology we have today, but I have to admit that those technologies complicate life a lot. I wonder what people will remember about us 100 years from now. Will they look back and say, “Wow, in 2010 they really did some amazing things.” Or will they look back and say, "What in the heck were they thinking?" I think I know the answer to that, but only time will tell.
Thanks for reading my 100th blog, hope you learned something today!
1 Timothy 6:17-18 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
Well, I don’t have anything in particular to talk about today, so I thought I would do a little bit of history research. I love studying history in case I never mentioned that before. Since this is my 100th post, I thought I would look up some things that happened 100 years ago, in 1910. Take a look at what I found:
Mother Teresa was born in 1910, as was famous mariner Jacques Cousteau. Bonnie Parker, half of the notorious Bonnie and Clyde duo, was born in 1910, and so was William Hanna, who was half of the Hanna-Barbera cartoon label. If you grew up in the 70's and 80's, you will no doubt recognize the Hanna-Barbera name. I think it was on about every other Saturday morning cartoon I watched as a kid. Speaking of Saturday morning cartoons, one of the ones I watched was Hong Kong Fooey. Hong Kong’s voice was famous jazz musician Scatman Crothers who was also born in 1910. You may also know Scatman as Dick Halloran from Stephen King’s “The Shining.” Last, but certainly not least, my Grandma Howard was born in January of 1910. Four more years and she would have been 100.
In 1910, a pair of famous painters died: Winslow Homer and Henri Rousseau. Also a trio of famous writers passed in 1910: Mark Twain, Leo Tolstoy, and O Henry. I think that last one was more famous for his candy bar than his writing. From the medical profession, Florence Nightingale, who made nursing a profession, and Elizabeth Blackwell, who is credited as the first woman doctor in America, both died. Also, King Edward the seventh of England died in 1910 after being king for only 9 years.
Here are some other things that happened in the year 1910:
A new land speed record of 131 miles per hour was set at Daytona.
The Boy Scouts of America was founded.
The planet Earth passed through the tail of Haley’s comet.
President Taft began the tradition of throwing out the first ball on opening day of baseball season.
The first Father’s Day was celebrated in Spokane, Washington.
The Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian Institute opened to the public.
Orville Wright opened the very first flight school in Montgomery, Alabama.
Wow, 1910 was a busy year! So that’s what was happening 100 years ago. It would have been interesting to live at that time, with airplanes and automobiles the latest technology. I like computers and cell phones and all the technology we have today, but I have to admit that those technologies complicate life a lot. I wonder what people will remember about us 100 years from now. Will they look back and say, “Wow, in 2010 they really did some amazing things.” Or will they look back and say, "What in the heck were they thinking?" I think I know the answer to that, but only time will tell.
Thanks for reading my 100th blog, hope you learned something today!
1 Timothy 6:17-18 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Mirrors
Those of you that have visited my audio book review blog, “Reviews From The Deep”, have probably noticed that I am a big fan of Harry Potter. The other day, I was reading a short story called “The House of 1000Mirrors”, and it reminded me of something interesting from the first Harry Potter book, "The Sorcerer's Stone.” If you, reader, are a Potter fan, then you may have already guessed that the story reminded me of the Mirror of Erised, pronounced air-eh-said. The Mirror of Erised is, in my opinion, one of J K Rowling’s more fascinating creations. In a nutshell, it allows whoever is looking into it to see their greatest desire come true. Perhaps you noticed that Erised is desire spelled backward?
When Harry Potter looked into the Mirror of Erised, he saw his whole family standing all around him, looking back at him with approval and affection. Harry, of course, is an orphan who had no family, and what he was seeing was not real, it was merely his desire. Harry’s best friend Ron is the sixth child in his family. His older brothers were talented and popular and successful at school. When Ron looks into the mirror, he sees himself winning awards and trophies.
Harry, naturally, is completely enchanted by the Mirror of Erised, and he returns night after night for that brief glimpse of what his life might have been. Professor Dumbledor, headmaster of the school, finally intervenes, warning Harry that the mirror gives neither knowledge, nor truth, and that men have wasted away before it, entranced by what they see.
Clearly, this is a warning to all of us of how dangerous it can be to spend too much time wishing for a better life. God seems to be working very hard just lately to get that message through to me. Just yesterday, I was writing a blog about some of my childhood memories of going to the lake, and it turned into a reflection of how I should not wish to change my past. Then today I came across the story of “The House of 1000Mirrors", which made me think of the Mirror of Erised. And last week I was writing about how the little things in our lives can make a big difference, and that reminded me of Michael Jackson’s song “Man In The Mirror.” Not exactly the same message, but similar. Isn’t it fascinating how God uses our individual experiences to speak to us? Harry Potter and Michael Jackson were the perfect tools for God to reach me. God planted both of those seeds in me years ago, and waited until this precise moment in time to harvest them. Amazing.
So obviously this is something God wants me to understand. Stop fretting over the past, it’s over and done with and is completely beyond my ability to change. Focus on the things that are within my influence; the here and now. I think I understand, Lord, but I’ll keep my senses tuned in case there is more to this.
That just reminded me of something else. Hold on, I need to go look something up.
Okay, here it is. Most of you probably know this, but I don’t have it memorized. This is Reinhold Niebhur’s “Serenity Prayer."
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
I can’t say it any better than that. Thank you, God, for reminding me of this. I’ll have to work on memorizing that.
Check back tomorrow, reader. I’ll put up a copy of “The House of 1000 Mirrors."
1 Timothy 6:7-9 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.
Philippians 4:11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
When Harry Potter looked into the Mirror of Erised, he saw his whole family standing all around him, looking back at him with approval and affection. Harry, of course, is an orphan who had no family, and what he was seeing was not real, it was merely his desire. Harry’s best friend Ron is the sixth child in his family. His older brothers were talented and popular and successful at school. When Ron looks into the mirror, he sees himself winning awards and trophies.
Harry, naturally, is completely enchanted by the Mirror of Erised, and he returns night after night for that brief glimpse of what his life might have been. Professor Dumbledor, headmaster of the school, finally intervenes, warning Harry that the mirror gives neither knowledge, nor truth, and that men have wasted away before it, entranced by what they see.
Clearly, this is a warning to all of us of how dangerous it can be to spend too much time wishing for a better life. God seems to be working very hard just lately to get that message through to me. Just yesterday, I was writing a blog about some of my childhood memories of going to the lake, and it turned into a reflection of how I should not wish to change my past. Then today I came across the story of “The House of 1000Mirrors", which made me think of the Mirror of Erised. And last week I was writing about how the little things in our lives can make a big difference, and that reminded me of Michael Jackson’s song “Man In The Mirror.” Not exactly the same message, but similar. Isn’t it fascinating how God uses our individual experiences to speak to us? Harry Potter and Michael Jackson were the perfect tools for God to reach me. God planted both of those seeds in me years ago, and waited until this precise moment in time to harvest them. Amazing.
So obviously this is something God wants me to understand. Stop fretting over the past, it’s over and done with and is completely beyond my ability to change. Focus on the things that are within my influence; the here and now. I think I understand, Lord, but I’ll keep my senses tuned in case there is more to this.
That just reminded me of something else. Hold on, I need to go look something up.
Okay, here it is. Most of you probably know this, but I don’t have it memorized. This is Reinhold Niebhur’s “Serenity Prayer."
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
I can’t say it any better than that. Thank you, God, for reminding me of this. I’ll have to work on memorizing that.
Check back tomorrow, reader. I’ll put up a copy of “The House of 1000 Mirrors."
1 Timothy 6:7-9 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.
Philippians 4:11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
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