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Written by Editor
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Wednesday, 09 December 2009 |
 Cancel Christmas
The Plan
“Cindy, this is superb,” Sam said as he finished reading her report. “I can see the editorial changes you made and they have improved it tremendously.” Sam looked directly at Cindy. “Cindy, I’m beginning to realize that your skills are as great as your good looks.” And here, Sam blushed a little.
Cindy was startled. She didn’t expect it, and she suddenly began to realize that she was having an effect on Sam. Inwardly, she beamed, but her smile was very subdued. She was even somewhat demure as she looked down and said, “Well, thank you, Sam. That’s the most wonderful thing you ever said to me.”
They both paused. By force of habit, Sam was almost going to hook his thumbs into his suspenders, but decided not to. It seemed so old fashioned. Maybe it was about time he stopped looking like a buffoon. He had let himself go after his wife died but needed to start taking care of himself and his appearance.
Abruptly, changing to a more businesslike voice, he asked, “Have you any suggestions for this meeting I am having?” He and Cindy had been working for the last two hours going over the report and making minor changes before Cindy printed the final versions, which he now had in his hand. It was 7:30. He continued, “If not, I’ll just mosey down to my office.”
Cindy sensed the opportunity, “Sam, let’s talk about it. You can go directly into Bleakheart’s office from here, you know. Maybe I could give you some ideas on how to present. In fact, I can make us a cup of coffee. Would you like that?”
“Cindy, that would be great.”
Cindy took two cups, put some coffee into them, went over to the water cooler, filled both up with hot water, and handed one to Sam. “I’m afraid it will have to be black. That’s how I keep my figure.”
Sam laughed. “I wish I had a figure like yours- or at least a waistline.”
“Sam, you can. Why don’t you try? It’s easy.” Cindy almost blurted out, “And while you’re at it, get rid of the haircut and suspenders and get a new suit.” Instead, she bit her tongue and just smiled.
Sam sipped his coffee. It had been a long time since he had had black coffee. He certainly preferred it with heavy cream and a lot of sugar, but, thinking of the old Chinese proverb, “A walk of a thousand miles starts with the first step,” he decided drinking black coffee was perhaps the start of getting rid of the gut that was starting to be embarrassing. He was only in his mid thirties and he had taken on the bad habits and slovenly appearance of somebody much older. All of a sudden, he decided that he wanted Cindy to think better of him. He sipped again and said in a jocular mood, and with a rare twinkle in his eye, “How would you approach him? Do I just hand him the report and summarize it for him? Or do I try something else?” Sam was surprised when Cindy took his suggestion seriously. She had more depth than he expected. She was very mature, probably due to growing up without a father.
Cindy looked thoughtful, thinking of her many meetings with Bleakheart and what seemed to turn him on and what seemed to turn him off. While she really hoped and prayed that he would be turned off by the whole project, she was concerned that he must never think of Sam as slacking on the job. She thought for a moment more and then told Sam, “I think you should give him a quick summary and then suggest that you read the report together word by word. You know he is a very thorough man and appreciates thoroughness. Sam, you did a fantastic job in putting together a very strong brief—almost a legal brief—on how to proceed. While I tell you I can’t agree with his motivation, and I don’t know if you agree with him or not, I see that you have an excellent plan.” And Cindy thought to herself that hopefully an even better plan would emerge to counter Bleakheart.
Sam was very thoughtful. He continued sipping his black coffee, thinking about the various meetings he had had over the past four years with Bleakheart, and he saw the wisdom of the approach. Cindy certainly had a brain to go along with her good looks—and ability. Sam began to feel a glow and he wasn’t sure if it came from the coffee or from having spent more time with Cindy in the last two days than in the last two years. “Cindy, I think you’re right and I’ll try it.” He looked at the clock and saw that it was two minutes to eight. He finished his coffee, put the empty cup in the wastebasket, took two copies of the report in his left hand, and walked over to the door to Bleakheart’s office. He turned the handle, walking in as he heard Bleakheart’s clock chime 8 o’clock. |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 22 January 2010 )
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Written by Editor
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Wednesday, 09 December 2009 |
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 Bruin's Wake
What’s on your nightstand now? Les Miserables, Blood Meridian and Bonfire of the Vanities.
What was your favorite book when you were a child? Hardy Boys
Who are your top 3 favorite authors? Thomas Wolfe, Cormac McCarthy, and Victor Hugo
What do you think makes a good writer? In order to be a good writer, you must be intellectually disciplined and be a prolific reader!!!
What’s the hardest part of writing a book? Disciplining yourself to take time out from your daily routine and concentrate on writing.
What inspired you to write your first book? I was inspired to write Bruin's Wake when I was falsely accused of a crime and had my face plastered all over the news.
Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp? That no matter what, you can reverse a complete negative into a complete positive.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 22 January 2010 )
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Written by by our Reviewer, John H. Manhold
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Thursday, 02 April 2009 |
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 Infinite Exposure
The story begins with a secret international team of al-Qaida fighters following and apprehending an offshore web master who is part of an al-Qaida cell, which, in turn, is part of a far-ranging network. From here, the scene shifts to the financial districts of the United States, and their never ending search for ways to save money. The CEO of a huge American bank, with large branches in France and Germany, is approached by a marketing company to offshore their operations. Such a move will save millions of dollars and, in the thoughts of the executive, produce a lucrative advancement. He is more concerned with this personal gain, and does not think through the proposition, even when given hints by his second in command, who is most knowledgeable. A software company becomes involved and contributes further to the maneuvers, and the story progresses to a horrendous financial debacle, and many associated reactions. A third element enters the picture - a group of traders who deal with insider information, have ties to Account Executives in Russia, with the Russian Mafia, with China, and with the coordinator of the occult al-Qaida fighters.
To provide more details would spoil, for the reader, a most interesting and thought-provoking proposal of a possible future American agenda.
With respect to the writing, Roland Hughes quite masterfully juggles the various elements, as they shift from one to the next. His characters are interesting, and the story’s progression is at a fine pace. I read an ARC (Advanced Reading Copy) of this book which contained spelling and grammar problems. However, I understand the author has since had the manuscript fully edited and corrected. With removal of this jarring note, I should like to say that Roland Hughes has provided added enjoyment to a highly recommended read that presents some very serious thoughts to ponder, as well.
Purchase this exiting new work at: http://www.infiniteexposure.net |
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 04 April 2009 )
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Written by Our Reviewer
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Friday, 27 March 2009 |
Murder by Family by Kent WhitakerReviewed By Jennifer Barker
Forgiveness. Love. These two words really should belong in the same sentence. It is difficult to truly love someone if you can’t forgive them and vice versa. So it was true for Kent Whitaker. His life turned upside-down on Dec. 10, 2003, when his wife and son, Tricia and Kevin, were murdered in front of him. He and his other son Bart were shot as well. Kent knew at that very moment he needed to forgive the person who was responsible for this horrific act. Little did he know that this person was his son Bart.  Murder by Family
The road ahead was long and arduous as Kent looked to the Lord for strength and guidance not only in his grief, but also in his decision to forgive. What would possess someone to forgive in such an unspeakable event? “Once I made that decision, God moved. I chose to forgive everyone who was involved in the murders, but it was God who gave me the power to do so. This may be the biggest lesson for all of us: people hurt other people really badly; but since God commands us to forgive, he will give us his supernatural power to do it if we submit ourselves to him.”1 This book is a narrative of that journey. You will cry with Kent as he retells the story of his Absalom coming back to the Savior. You will be inspired to shake off the yoke of bitterness and unforgiveness and choose to follow Jesus in His command to forgive. NOTES 1. Murder by Family by Kent Whitaker, p. 203.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 27 March 2009 )
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Written by Our Reviewer, Stuart Nachbar
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Thursday, 04 December 2008 |
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Noble Enterprise: Where People Make the Profits
 Noble Enterprise
Unlike academic case study books, such as In Search of Excellence and Built to Last, Gillett tells the story of a noble enterprise through the turnaround of a single company, Unitel, which later became AT&T Canada LDS. Led by its chief executive officer, Bill Catucci, Unitel’s profitability was the result of looking inward at the talent base and inefficient processes inside the company, as opposed to looking outward from the standpoint of a financial manager, who would be more likely to cut costs and outsource business functions.
Most of the story focuses around Catucci, who is as hands-on a chief executive one might find in a large corporation, without becoming a micro-manager. He makes it a point to show a large workforce that he cares, and that he trusts them to do their jobs. This is a very difficult challenge for a chief executive in a very small business, let along a company with more than two thousand workers. My perspective, from reading about the recent industry bailouts, is that most chief executives don’t bother to try. They are driven more by shareholder value.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 04 December 2008 )
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