Creating Visual Images is My Passion
Story writing at times can be taxing. So can creating the images that capture the essence of the story you’re trying to tell.
Open to The World
“You can’t learn anything from someone who only knows what you know” Tony Stubblebine CEO of Medium
"CASTING OFF" HOW WE FISHED THE
CHANNEL ISLANDS IN STYLE
A good friend introduced me to a businessman looking for people to join a yacht club that was just getting started on
Balboa Island, California.
One Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Improve readership with dynamic., eye catching photos. A few simple things you can do to turn that free photo into your own.
Analogy and Allegory
The-Idea-Man YouTube channel is near ready to revolutionize entrepreneurial training for both the young and the young at heart. Our unique content plan deviates from the ordinary. Navigating the complexities of successful entrepreneurship often feels like an arduous journey, but our instructional methods aim to transform it into an engaging adventure.
Empowering People for a More Democratic Future
The political manipulations by Republicans in congress (both House and Senate), the corrupt judicial actions by the Republican Supreme Court members is enough to make anyone who is opposed to their self- serving and undemocratic ways to be fed up.
WHEN A PLAN COMES TOGETHER
The intrepid entrepreneur will experience feelings of pure joy when an idea begins to take shape. This usually occurs after considerable effort has been given to a myriad of different scenarios carefully thought out. When a plan comes together, you will know it. The keen desire to get started with the implementation of your plan is something that brings a wonderful feeling of satisfaction. This is why you are an Entrepreneur.
A LIFE I LOVE
I’m still learning about the significant cultural differences between living in rural Lao and America. This transition is made much easier by the helpful direction from the entire community. Their understanding nature has made this possible.
ASK THE PRODIGY FOR INSIGHTFUL ANSWERS
Experience can be a powerful tool in learning, but often it can be a slow, painful way to learn. Taking advantage from the mistakes of others can shorten the road to entrepreneurial success. Our young spokesperson will be asking intuitive. perceptive questions to be answered by The- Idea-Man with over 70 years of entrepreneurial experience.
CHOOSE WISELY WHEN MAKING YOUR DONATIONS
With so many people in need and the requests for assistance flooding our lives, we need to be even more vigilant and cognizant of scams and unscrupulous people and organizations. This story was posted on my nonprofit website (The-Spirit-of-Humanity.org) a few years ago. It’s still as germane today as it was then.
WISDOM AND WISENESS LESSONS FROM THE PAST
Wisdom is accumulated from life. The ability to think and act using the knowledge that is gained by having many personal experiences. Insight, enlightenment, understanding, and common sense are some of the generally accepted attributes of wisdom. It also requires a tolerance for the uncertainties of life and a awareness of balance.
THE TRUTH ABOUT GETTING RICH
The real Truth About Getting Rich (Note the Absence of the Word Quick) has always been the same. It starts with a good idea and a sound plan to implement it. I call the following syllabus my plan for success by using these steps. Your “Illuminating Idea”. Then your “Innovative Incentive” along with “Interesting Initiatives”, “Intelligent Investment” and finally “Ingenious Implementation”, this will be of help in guiding you to your entrepreneurial goals.
SAGE ADVICE FROM A LIFETIME OF
ENTREPRENEURIAL WISDOM
Some of us can still be a source of wisdom, based on experiences gained from a long life. The saying “you learn from your mistakes” is a lesson that many of us oldsters learned from making the same mistakes several times over. It’s a hard way to learn, but once mastered you’ll never forget.
A DEEP SEA FISHING DREAM IN TROUBLED WATERS
I fell in love with deep sea fishing at a very early age. It was something that I lived for as long as I can remember. With many memorable long and short range trips, primarily ranging the Pacific Ocean from Alaska to Panama and including Hawaii. The Philippine’s Archipelago of the Spratly Islands were once considered one of the best ocean fishing spots in the world. Fishing this place is my dream.
TOOLS FOR COPING WITH INFORMATION OVERLOAD
We are all assaulted daily by the news and social media platforms. In this age of too much information, who do we believe? Learning to take everything you see or hear with a “grain of salt” has never been more appropriate. Be aware, keep in mind that every presenter has their own agenda.
CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE
Families with children and children alone begin their perilous journeys across international borders, fleeing violence, conflict, disaster, or poverty in the pursuit of a brighter future. These brave souls will often navigate dangerous routes with the assistance of smugglers due to limited legal opportunities. Unfortunately, existing laws, policies, and protective services leave these vulnerable families and children exposed to abuse and exploitation.
UNDERSTANDING THE FALLACY OF DIVISION
The fallacy of division is an error in understanding caused by overgeneralization. Using mental shortcuts in order to make decisions quickly and efficiently can lead to inaccuracies. Arguments are typically genuine misunderstandings. A constructive way to respond to these disagreements is to identify the fallacy, question the assumption and to provide alternative examples.
FROM CONTAMINATION TO REGULATION
THE EPA’S TROUBLED HISTORY WITH WATER QUALITY
My original article about “A Crime Against Humanity” dealt with drinking water problems in 2021. On May 15 of this year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a final rule to make annual drinking water quality reports more understandable and accessible to the public. These reports are an important tool that drinking water systems use to inform residents about water quality and any contaminants that have been found in the water. Starting in 2027, this final rule will ensure that these reports are easier to read and understand.
WISENESS vs WISDOM
Wisdom comes from many experiences in life. The ability to think and act using knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense, insight, truth and enlightenment are generally accepted attributes of wisdom. It also requires a tolerance for the uncertainties of life and a awareness of balance.
COMPASSIONATE CREATIVITY INSPIRING
ACTS OF KINDNESS
Sometimes my passion for thinking of new ideas on how to be better at being good, comes up empty. Kindness, Compassion and Empathy are the three keywords that get me to thinking about what I could be doing, to be better.
CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME
This proverb was first recorded in English in a slightly different form. John Wycliffe wrote in his book, Of Prelates (c. 1380); “Charity should begin at himself”. 644 years later, this old adage is still being thoughtfully considered by philanthropic and altruistic humanitarians.
BEYOND THE NORM
WHISTLEBLOWERS AGAINST INJUSTICE
Some attacks against the norm are not only justified, but often necessary. Social injustice, systemic racial prejudice, income inequity and especially governmental corruption are all some valid reasons to seek change in ways where we break from normal procedure.
Tough Lessons Learned
These are my stories of what can happen when you don’t. I took an early retirement from my Chief of Police job, based on the new changes to the 1976 Uniform Building Code. Until these changes were made, only Western Red Cedar and California Red Wood were approved for roofing shingles and shakes. California Incense Cedar was added and now approved. Only indigenous to the central California Sierra Nevada mountains and mostly referred to as “pecky cedar”. Rarely milled, except for the making of pencils.
NEW PHILOSOPHY — NEW LIFE
Maybe it’s because I’m old? Probably, after all I am old. Most certainly old, but when did this newfound, more philosophical and philanthropic thinking begin? Some answers are shown below.
SIGNAL HILL, CALIFORNIA
A UNIQUE CITY WITH A COLORFUL PAST
Inhabited by the Puva Indians in the 1500’s, they used the hilltop for smoke signals to communicate with tribe members on Santa Catalina Island, 26 miles away. Newly arrived Spanish settlers, called the hill “Loma Sental” meaning Signal Hill. By the start of the 20th century, stately mansions were built on the hilltop, taking advantage of the beautiful 360 degree views. In 1917 and the discovery that oil was present, changed everything and made the hilltop land even more valuable. The city was incorporated in 1924 and was unusual by the fact that the City of Long Beach, completely surrounded the City of Signal Hill.
HISTORIC STORIES FROM CALAVERAS COUNTY CA
Forever immortalized by Mark Twain who visited the area in 1865, living in a cabin at Angels Camp for a few months. Calaveras County was one of the first California counties established in 1850 after the war with Mexico and admission to the United States of America. The early exploration by the Spanish is the first documented account and occurred as early as October of 1806.
WE CANNOT LET UKRAINE DOWN AGAIN
The political games played by some of our elected officials is disgraceful. They are responsible for their actions and should be voted out of office. Who knows how many Ukrainian children, elders and ordinary citizens lost their lives or were seriously injured due to Russia’s terrorist attacks and Republican obstruction?
LOST AT SEA — A TEEN’S ADVENTURE
At 13 years old, and with my best friend Willie (Jay) McNeil, I took my first deep sea fishing trip on a half-day boat from Pierpoint Landing, Long Beach, California. I was hooked as much as the fish I caught. I talked to the skipper about helping in the kitchen galley and cleaning the boat for free passage and the opportunity of spending a few minutes fishing when time allowed. Amazingly he agreed to the plan. I was now a proud, unpaid deck hand!
OBSERVATIONS FROM LIFE TO BETTER HEALTH
I should make it make known that I’m not a professional in matters of health, but a long life has taught me some important health and life style differences between the cultures that I’ve lived in. A California upbringing with a holistic and health food leaning mother will help to set the scene.
THE DICODEMY OF YOUR STOICISM AND ALTER EGO
These two seemingly contradictory qualities can be integrated to enhance your entrepreneurial skills. By looking at yourself from both of these perspectives, you’ll be able to gain a better view of your ideas and how to implement them.
REVELATIONS THROUGH REFLECTION
THE POWER OF STORYTELLING
My efforts over a short period of time have had a profound effect
in the understanding of myself. Quite a revelation to someone who has lived an adventuresome and often chaotic life. Now I know why. Storytelling has always been a large part of my character, I just never wrote anything down to explain it to myself.
I KEEP TRYING AND SO SHOULD YOU
Writing a fictionalized crime novel is a bad bet. The chances of success based on percentages are almost zero. This is why I joined both Medium and Substack in my attempt to become a better writer. Why would anyone subject themselves to something, which could often be considered as a foolish dream? Injuring your pride and dignity is not fun, but I believe with practice, will and fortitude, you can achieve what you’ve set out to do.
GET PASSIONATE!
Passion fruit vines, scientifically known as Passiflora edulis or Passiflora flavicarpa, depending on its color, usually purple or yellow is an exotic fruit. Primarily grown in tropical or semi-tropical climates, it offers a variety of health benefits. Add to that, stunningly beautiful and intricate flowers, a sweet-tart taste and an enormous amount of fruit production.
ARE YOU AN AVOCADO AFFECTIONADO?
As a young boy of about 8 or 9 years old and living in the duplex my mother rented was my introduction to avocados. There were two old avocado trees growing in the back yard. The fruit on these avocado trees was small, round, purple and prolific. The seeds were tiny (about the size of a marble). They looked nothing like the usual avocados at the market. They were delicious.
INTERESTING FACTS AND BENEFITS OF DRAGON FRUIT
The Dragon fruit has many names (official scientific name: Hylcereus spp). It can be called pitaya, strawberry pear, night-blooming cereus and in Thailand Gaew Mung Gorn, pronounced “gow mun gon”. This is where I was introduced to this amazing succulent.
GOOD ADVICE FROM ONE OF THE BEST
I’ve always found the writings of Samuel Langhorne Clemens to be not only humorous, but succinct using colloquial, everyday language. I find this completely different from todays AI generated styles.
A few facts first. Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain used many pen names, here are a few: Before “Mark Twain” he was, Sieur Louis de Conte, John Snood, Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass and Josh. He used a litany of pseudonyms before settling on the name we know him by today.
FROM MADISON SQUARE GARDEN TO THE OLYMPIC AUDITORIUM
Look sharp, be sharp was the theme song from Gillette razor blade companies “Cavalcade of Sports” boxing program. It featured twice-weekly shows from 1946 to 1960. The shows started on Monday, November 8th and Friday, November 12th at 9:00 PM Eastern time. Both were open-ended programs and the station signed off after the last bout.
AN OLD MAN LIKE ME
I turned 80 on February 10th , and for the first time in my life, acknowledged being old to myself. I’ve finally made it, I am an old man. Never thought I’d get here.
Ernest Hemingway described his own life with “Santiago” being himself in this novel “The Old Man and The Sea”. Knowing he had the love of the young boy “Manolin” as a faithful friend who would care for him. In return he would teach him the valuable lesson of perseverance in life struggles. He symbolizes the hardships we all face, as we journey through life.
LIFE ON THE LEDGE
Why are some people who would seem stable and normal in most circumstances, always placing themselves in a dangerous situation?
What is it in their behavioral psychology that drives them to risk taking? Some theories suggest that your environment shapes your behavior. Living on the edge could come natural to people with a sense of adventure by taking risks, fueled by seeking challenges, excitement and possibly, even an adrenaline rush.
A PLACE I LOVE
It’s not an easy place to find. I couldn’t find it on any map, including Google. The only city sign is located in the village, so you’ve got to be there to see it. If you speak Lao, and can ask somebody for directions, chances are they’ve never heard of it. When in Pakse (second largest city in Lao and 70 kilometers away) and conducting any type of business, no one I’ve talked to has ever heard of it. Strangely, I like it this way.
WRITE OR WRONG
Write spelled like this is referring to authorship. Wrong could be defined as something immoral. This story was written to help in righting some morally wrong actions.
What is a cluster bomb? “There are a wide variety of types of cluster munitions. According to the Cluster Munition Monitor, a total of 34 states have at one time developed or produced over 200 types of cluster munitions”. Both Russia and Ukraine are now deploying thousands of these weapons in their trench war battles.