Greetings friends!

 Happy Saturday morning from from behind my desk in sunny Arizona. I hope all are well this fall day wherever you may be. Here in Tucson you still can't tell its November with all these record tempuratures. The visitors and sun worshippers love it, but I prefer the more cooler temps that usually come with our normal fall conditions. 

 Speaking of normal, I have been trying to find my writing groove now that I began to write my second edition, but I'm struggling a bit due to a couple of circumstances. I don't have any writer's block, for lack of substance, or motivation to complete the second half, I just have been distracted by everyday functions. I analyze everything in life, including my own behavior and patterns, and this is what I figured out.

 I spent over two years planning, preparing, traveling and then writing all about my adventure; and it took alot out of me physically, emotionally and mentally. During the last 16 months I was on the road, and writing the first book, I didn't get to relax and watch television very much. But since I moved into my new place, all I've been doing when I get home from work is exactly that; watch T.V.!

 It's like I'm subconsciously trying to catch up for all the relaxation and tube watching I missed out on for months.To make matters worst, it's now the college football and basketball seasons. There are games on every night on multiple channels, especially my beloved Arizona Wildcats, so getting unglued from my recliner has been a challenge latley. Even Kalani has urged me to get off my rump and get my butt in the office, and my mind on some serious writing! 

 I also have my own kitchen now, and I have been going to town, cooking up all my favorite dishes I missed while I was on the road. So I have been over eating, and once I'm done, then I roll up on the couch, with the intent of just lounging a few minutes, instead of going directly to my office to pound the keys.Next thing I know, it's 11pm and I'm out like a rock. Once again it's almost like my body is playing catch up with myself for all the fatigue and stress I put myself through for so long. I hope to be able to break this pattern in the next few days and get totally focused on the task of writing the next edition. The only bright spot in this funk I'm in is that Iv'e been able to maintain my exercise routine, thus warding off the extra pounds I would be adding on with my nightly buffets!

 I wanted to show you the pictures of the blanket and pillow and good friend Laney handmade for my new grandaughter Eva. She is excellent at her craft and does amazing work with the needle and thread. I can't wait to see Eva for the first time, and hand deliver the blankey in person sometime in December. Thanks Laney for your lovely gift!

 It was a year ago this week I was in Kansas City working on my gig with these fine fellas, liquidating a hotel downtown. It was really cold, and the work was difficult at times, but the experiance was an awesome and memorable one. I actually was hired in Minneapolis by Einar and Patrick, and we drove the 7 hour ride down to Missouri for the gig. Kansas City was neat, but you'll have to read all about my story in the second edition, if I ever get around to writing it! LOl

 Asta la otra amigos y amigas, have a good weekend!

Juanjohn

Good morning friends.

Greetings  again from my sunny and cool desert home in Tucson. I hope you are doing fine this 8th day of November, as Kalani and I are. We are enjoying all the comforts and perks that come with having our own space.

 Unfortunately, my time and focus has been pulled away again from my writing, and drawn in by the unending series of tragic mass killings that continue to occur nationwide. I have to admit I probably spend too much time on the news coverage, and caught up with the background stories and profiles. I drove through that area in Texas during my tour, and after traveling the entire lower forty-eight, I realize that no area or setting is immuned to such senseless acts. 

 I don't exactly know what the right answer to these shootings is, not being a gun person myself, but the loss and waste of innocent blood and life is difficult to see. My mother was terrified with weapons of all sorts, and as children, never allowed us to possess any kind of arms. Yet more frustrating to me is the anger, division and endless debates these events create, with the seemingly hardcore supporters on both sides of the issue locked into a uncompromising battle each time the bullets fly. Sadly, the death toll continues to rise, as they fight and bicker over the matter. I'll step off the soapbox now and talk about more upbeat things.

 I'm ready to begin my next edition now that both the first manuscript and cover are being worked on. The first edition covered Arizona to Vermont, and also the idea concept and planning stages I went through to get the tour off the ground. In the second book I will now include a brief bio page on myself, and a section with my time spent in the truck drivers world. I also want to go in deeper into the good and the bad aspects of the Craigslist underbelly that provided me with 90% of my gigs. I hope people will find it as interesting as I did.

 The wheels of the publishing process aren't moving as fast as I wish, but that is mostly due to the my current financial situation, and that is something I can't change at this time. Still I remain positive about it all coming together at the right time for me. It took me fifty some years to become a writer, so I have to continue to be patient. Everything in life has it's time, and my time will arrive at just the correct time I believe!

 I hope you have a great rest of the week, wherever you call home. Thanks for checking-in and for your continued support! It is well appreciated form the bottom of my heart.

 Juanjohn