Jason Matthews, Author and Screen Play Writer

Vote4mystory changes are coming

2009-06-11T09:19:00.000-07:00

We had a slower start than I had anticipated with Vote4mystory. Now we're looking to make some changes that will hopefully make things better and easier for the authors out there who'd like an alternative way to market themselves and their work. We still believe we have a unique design that is bound to do great things. We just need to tweak the recipe or something.
Ideas are encouraged and appreciated. Thanks.

Vote4mystory.com - the best short story contest ever

2009-03-25T08:48:00.000-07:00

Vote4mystory has a couple of new things going for it.

The first, is that the featured writers page now posts links for every author's story and website (if they have one). It's a great and inexpensive way to cross-link, increase webtraffic and move higher in search rankings.

The second, is that there's 9 great categories to choose from. Tales From Traveling, Action/Adventure, Fiction, Mystery/Suspense, Romance, Children's Stories, Humor, Pet Tales/Animal Stories, and Life's Moments.

So visit the new Vote4mystory.com and let the world read your work.

Read an excerpt from Jim's Life

2009-01-24T10:49:00.000-08:00

Jim’s Life

The wise fisherman cast his net into the sea. When he drew it up, it was full of little fish. Among them the wise fisherman saw a fine large fish. He easily chose that one and threw all the little fish back into the sea. Let those with good ears hear this lesson. - Gospel of Thomas

Iggy trudged through the sandy terrain of the outback with Master James in his arms. The rover now lay far behind them in pieces by the tree. Iggy couldn’t tell if the young man was still alive. James didn’t appear to be breathing, and his broken limbs hung straight down with no resistance. Iggy was horrified by the look of it. His emotional programming would have created a moaning, a low hum of distress from Iggy’s voice box could he have made the sound.
The crash had damaged Iggy as well, including his transmitters. He had lost some power, and without his solar cells recharging, he wondered how long he might hold out. He also looked ragged, with wires hanging from an open shoulder joint and dirt covering his metallic frame. Twenty percent chance of returning, Iggy thought. Better odds without the load, but could I make that choice?
Iggy had carried a few children before, but they were much smaller than Master James, a fifteen year old who felt surprisingly heavy. Damn the crash, if only my transmitters were working. For hours he debated if he could make it back. He also wondered what the reception would be if Master James was dead. Iggy looked down at his burden of flesh. How did I ever get assigned to this? Iggy had been designed for professionals like architects, to be used in their creative processes. Instead he got sold to a mechanic and then given to the man’s son.
He hated the nickname. For a thousand times, it was Ignatius! I’ve never asked for anything else, and still he can’t even do that.

Brison Ranck flipped the meat on the grill. He sprinkled salt from a shaker and worked it into the sizzling slabs with his fingers, then he licked them. He angled the solar receiver to better catch the light of the setting sun. Brison loved free energy, but cooking steaks with the sun’s rays often forced him to eat earlier than he preferred, especially in February and the heat of late summer.
Flow chopped vegetables while watching him through the kitchen window. She reached over the stove to stir the rice pudding. James’s favorite, she thought. She sipped her glass of red wine, then checked the clock. Six-thirty. Ten minutes after James was supposed to set the table. Shouldn’t get any pudding for being late. The light-knife took some of her anger out onto the carrots.
Brison caught her eye and held up five broad fingers, indicating the time needed for the meat. Flow nodded, hoping instead he was letting her know their son was home. She checked the clock again. James had his faults, but being late for supper wasn’t one of them. Why hadn’t Iggy responded?
Brison came in with a platter and three steaming steaks, bleeding juices into a puddle about to run over the plate. He walked in slow motion, careful not to spill on the carpet. Smells divine, Flow thought. She watched him in his balancing act, appreciating her gentle giant moving so delicately.
He asked, “How we doin’?”
“Two minutes, Love.” Flow stirred the pudding with one hand while the other put the veggies in a small oven.
“No response?”
“Not yet.” Flow took another drink of wine. She stared at the clock and became lost in thought until the timer sounded. She took the greens and carrots out and placed them on the table.
“Anything else?” Brison asked, lighting candles on a table set for three.
“No, nothing.”
Brison served himself the largest of the steaks, Flow the smallest and the middle one for the absent boy. He poured his wine and added some to Flow’s. James’ setting had water placed by his meal. Brison checked the time and looked out the windows. Twilight was taking over with no sign of their son.
“What do you think, Bris?”
“He’ll be in,” he assured her and sat down. “Iggy’s with him. Not to worry.”
Flow took her seat in compliance. Brison sawed into his steak and placed a large piece in his mouth, chewing impatiently. Flow sipped her wine, then stabbed at a carrot. They ate in silence.
Minutes later it was fairly dark outside. Flow’s steak had a few bites in it, while Brison had nearly finished his meal. From the yard, a dog barked.
Brison left his seat and went out the door. Flow followed. They stood on the threshold of their home, peering out into the dim horizon.
“See anything?” Flow asked.
“No.”
The barking persisted.
“Shep in his pen?”
“Yeah.”
“What’s that?” Flow pointed at an object that appeared to be moving toward them. Brison squinted and found nothing.
“Where?”
“Right there,” Flow insisted, extending an arm out in front of his face.
Brison found it. Sure enough, something was a hundred meters away slowly approaching. They walked cautiously out.
Brison demanded, “Who’s there?” No answer. He squinted as he moved further out toward the entity. “Who is that?”
The dark figure persisted to come closer, making no sound except the shuffle of dust.
“This is private property,” Flow added. “Who’s there?”
The curious figure remained silent, while closing the gap between them. Brison’s fists tightened instinctively.
“Want me to get the laser?” she asked, holding him at the shoulder.
Brison shook his head, sensing something important. He didn’t know what it was, but he wasn’t afraid. Shep barked incessantly as Brison moved ever closer toward the dark figure.
Eventually Brison realized he was looking at the family unit, trudging awkwardly through the desert night. It’s Iggy, he thought with relief. Where’s James?
“Iggy,” he said, now striding with Flow just behind him. “Where’ve you been?”
As they came to him, they noticed Iggy was carrying something and looked like he had been through hell, with dust all over him and several wires hanging out. How odd everything seemed. It took a moment in the darkness for them to realize their son lay in Iggy’s arms.
Flow screamed, “Oh God, no!”

Nurses and units went to and from the room, setting up the boy with a multitude of devices and medicines. From the office of Sandra Maynard, the head surgeon, Brison and Flow somberly watched a hologram image of their son lying deathly still in bed. With the activity about James, his face was all they could clearly see. It was bruised and badly cut, more like a blob of purples and reds than a human face. From inside the comfortable office, Flow sensed the grave reality all around her. The sounds of buzzing machines, the sterile smells of antiseptic, and the bright lights on the other side of the door were a stark contrast from where Iggy had returned their son. Flow wiped her red eyes while she mumbled to herself all the reasons why this shouldn’t have happened. Brison squeezed her free hand.
When Dr. Maynard came into the room the parents turned eagerly. She removed the thin hospital gown and gloves, then tossed them in a receptacle.
“Mr. and Mrs. Ranck. Sit down, please.”
Brison said, “Just tell us how he is, Doc.”
Maynard lowered her eyes and motioned to the couch. “Please sit.”
They hesitated before obeying. Flow braced herself for the worst while Dr. Maynard pulled a chair over to face them.
“It’s bad. He was gone when he got here, but we were able to get a pulse back.”
“He’s alive?” Flow asked.
“His body is alive. EEG shows preserved brain activity, but no reactions to external stimuli.”
“In English, Doc.”
“Your son is brain-dead.”
Brison couldn’t believe it. “No, can’t be.”
“There’s nothing we can do. I’m very, very sorry.”
Flow expressed panic in fragments. “No… oh no… this… this can’t...”
Brison just shook his head, refusing to accept it. “Surely there must be something that can be done.”
“Brain death is typically irreversible. He’s on life support, but that’s the way he’ll remain.”
“Oh God.”
“What are his chances?” Flow asked.
“For recovery? There have been extremely rare cases, but I need you to realize… it’s not likely.”
“He’s a fighter,” Brison said. “Do whatever you can.”
“We will. Just be aware of what he’s up against.” She squeezed the couple’s hands. “You may stay here and watch him as long as you like.”
Minutes later Brison led Flow down the hospital corroder. She was numb, moving in a daze. She thought of the night’s irony. Two hours before she was angry at her boy for being late to dinner. Now she was wondering if she would see him conscious again. Why was I angry about that? How stupid!

The car drifted down into the Ranck property, hovering a meter over the ground and settling in front of the walk. Brison looked over to Flow in the passenger seat and caught her staring at something.
“Who’s that?” Flow asked.
Brison faced forward, surprised that he hadn’t noticed the Federation car parked just off the driveway to his left. “Dunno.”
They got out of the vehicle. Just then the front doors of the Fed car opened, and out came two men. One of them held out an illuminated image displaying his credentials as a Fed detective. “Mr. Ranck?”
“Yes?”
“I’m Officer Hutchins. This is Bellregard,” the elder man said. The two looked like negatives of each other.
Brison said, “Something I can help you with?”
“Do you have any idea why we’re here?” Bellregard asked. His platinum eyes and teeth gleamed against his dark skin.
“No, sir.”
“It’s about your son,” Hutchins said.
Brison was confused. “Is it about his going to the hospital?”
Hutchins looked away momentarily. “We’re aware of that. I am sorry, but no.”

Flow poured coffee into four mugs as the men sat around the kitchen table. Though it was too late for coffee, Flow didn’t expect to get much sleep anyway.
“Thank you,” the officers said in unison. Randall Hutchins accepted his with his artificial arm. He breathed in the aroma, knowing it would be a good pick-me-up to an unusually long work shift.
Randall’s internal sensors indicated the Rancks weren’t concerned about the interview, that they likely knew nothing of the event. “We’re sorry to hear the news of your son. And yet… your family being Simplists, we have to do this interview.”
Brison said, “We appreciate that, Officer. We just can’t believe you’re talking about our son.”
“Has James been friends for a long time with Abigail Walkins?”
“She goes by Missy,” Flow said. “Her folks live down the road.”
Bellregard added, “The Walkins are also Simplists. Are your families close?”
“Not really,” Brison said. “They’re a bit more devout.”
“A bit?” Flow reminded him.
“About a hundred times more devout.”
“They’re good people, but they like their space. We like ours.”
“And the kids?” Hutchins asked.
“Her parents don’t like Missy in our home,” Brison said.
“Because you’re more liberal with technologies?”
“Right. Sometimes the kids see each other outside.”
“How long have they known each other?”
“For years. ‘Bout the same age.”
Hutchins began with the difficult subject, “Does it surprise you then, that Fed rescue responded to a life alert, after Missy was raped and nearly strangled?”
“That couldn’t have been our son,” Brison insisted.
Flow asked, “So her memory has already been checked?”
“Yes.”
“And what did they find?”
“Even if I had that information, I couldn’t disclose it.”
“Officer,” Flow said, trying to remain composed. “There’s something Fed should know about Missy.”
“What?”
“She’s not entirely sane. She lives in a fantasy world.”
Brison summed it up. “She’s nuts.”
“How so?”
Flow said, “She fabricates things. A twisted sense of reality.”
Bellregard asked, “Twisted enough to alter her perception?”
“I believe so.”
“Anything’s possible,” Hutchins mentioned. “That’s why Ivan and I are here, asking you questions, asking the Walkins questions. Missy’s at forensics having tests done.”
Bellregard added, “And James is being evaluated by Fed investigators.”
“In the hospital?” Flow cried.
“There’s no other way.”
Hutchins tried to calm her. “Mrs. Ranck, please don’t worry. Our investigators are familiar with the needs of patients. Happens all the time. In some ways, they’re better suited for it than nurses and doctors.”
Brison ran his hands through his ruddy brown hair and lamented, “Oh, Christ. This is just what my son needs now.”
“He’ll be fine, sir.”
“How do you know that?”
Flow needed him to be a rock. She reasoned, “If something happened, I can’t believe it was rape.”
“Was anyone else with James at the accident?” Bellregard asked.
“No,” Brison stated. Flow shot him a look and pinched his leg under the table.
“How did you find him?”
“The rover’s transmitter. I tracked it in the car.”
Flow sipped her coffee and wondered, What the hell is he doing? Randall’s emotional sensors detected deception for the first time.

If Allah brings you to it, He will bring you through it. - Koran

Missy lay in bed at a Fed hospital room about ten kilometers from the private one where Jim was. Her glazed eyes fixated on the ceiling as she held Mr. Dangles, a large, purple, stuffed monkey her mum had sent in for her. As a Simplist, Detty was not permitted to be there. Instead, her hologram image sat on the bed next to Missy, mimicking the efforts of wiping away the last remnants of tears.
Detty wished she could pull the covers a tad more over her daughter and the stuffed animal. Her hologram continued the act of stroking her daughter’s blond hair with the back of her fingers. Time stopped. This wasn’t the way Missy was supposed to find out about sex. She’s only fifteen. How could God have let him?Detty’s image turned away from her daughter and whispered angrily, “You had no right to sedate her without my permission.”
A Federation computer voice answered, “We had every right.”
“You’ve committed a terrible sin. There will be an inquiry into this.”
“That is your right. Our agents can assist you-”
“We’ll use our own agents, thank you.”
“Your daughter’s own life alert brought about Federal involvement. She will resume the rights of a Simplist, but only after fully released from Federation custody.”
Missy said, “I’m okay, Mum. Try to relax.” She felt horrible, not only for herself but for her parents.
“I’m so sorry,” Detty whispered. “Nobody should have to experience that.”
“Then why did it happen?”
“I don’t know. I wish you could be at home with your dad and me tonight.”
“But everything happens for a reason. I know it does.”
“Then you’ll know someday. Now’s not the time for answers.”
The computer broke in, “I’m sorry, Mrs. Walkins. Visiting time is ending.”
From above the hospital ceiling the sound of deep thunder billowed, its reverberations being felt within the room. Moments later heavy drops pelted the roof, creating a steady patter throughout the upper floor.
Detty stared at Missy’s eyes. She’d always found them mysterious, one blue and one brown. My beautiful child. Why this way?
She managed, “Goodnight, Missy.”
“Goodnight, Mum.”
Detty’s hologram slowly faded from the hospital room.
At the Walkins house, the image of Missy disappeared from the living room. Detty turned from it, angry that the image maker had been installed in her all natural home. She went down the hallway with her emotions about to spill over. She opened the bedroom door and found Donnick standing there, waiting expectantly.
At the hospital Missy lay awake. A tear welled up in her blue eye, large enough to blink it aside. A crack of lightning burst in the skies, flooding the room with a flash through the window. Then the calm of the rain returned, and the room powered down to its dimmest sleeping level.
“Help me understand,” Missy whispered in the darkness. “All I want… is to understand it.”

Ten kilometers away, lying in his hospital bed, a peaceful aura of blue light enveloped Jim. He was oblivious to the people and equipment surrounding him in an effort to keep his new body alive. Sleep. Breathe. Forget. Die and be born again. By now he had lost all consciousness of his previous existence. No memory of the lab. Nothing of his past friends or the Grandmother. He lay in his coma like a blank slate with no past and no foreseeable future. Sleep. Breathe. Forget. Die and be born again.

Download the novel for free - The Big Bang; Notes From Looking Within

2009-01-19T14:05:00.000-08:00

Like to read for free? Download the novel as a pdf file for free.

http://www.cosmicforceproductions.com/review.html

Support a great cause

2008-12-31T13:06:00.001-08:00

It's important to give back, especially to good causes, charities and those who might be less fortunate. "Give freely, even as you have been given freely," is one of my favorite Biblical sayings. It means that God gives freely to us all the time, and we can be more like God when we act like this with others.
There are plenty of great causes that I try to give to regularly. lately, I've been using the services of Wikipedia so often that I finally made a donation. Here's the link if you want to donate too.

New Moon Manifesting

2008-12-30T09:18:00.000-08:00

Jana has started a new project, New Moon Manifesting, and it's already off to a great start. This new moon period is from Dec 27th 2008 to Jan 26th 2009. The idea is to focus on those things that we'd like to work on, manifest, accomplish, attract to our lives during this moon period. Then at the end of the moon we'll evaluate what we've done and make a new list for the next period. It's really a genius yet simple way to stay focused and goal-oriented throughout the year.
Please join us for her show at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/JanaMatthews
Or check in at Jana's website at http://janagroscost.com/
And also check back for her blog site now under construction just for this New moon Manifesting at http://newmoonmanifesting.com/
To listen to Jana's most recent radio show click here -

9-11 was an inside job, vote yes or no.

2008-12-19T13:37:00.001-08:00

Short Story Contest Categories, which are the best? Vote here and at Vote4MyStory.com

2008-12-06T09:04:00.000-08:00

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In an effort to figure out the best categories for Vote4mystory.com, it would be great if people could pick their favorites. http://www.vote4mystory.com/

Press Release Vote4mystory.com

2008-12-05T11:46:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Vote4MyStory.com - Like American Idol for Short Story Writers

Truckee, CA Dec. 8, 2008 -- A new design for short story contests has launched online at Vote4MyStory.com, the contest that guarantees publicity to every writer. Vote4MyStory works for writers like American Idol works for talent. Judges are the public at large, and unknowns get opportunity for discovery on a global scale.
Vote4MyStory takes shorts and makes e-books, an e-friendly alternative to printed books. Categories are fun and fresh, not the generic ones of old contests like ‘fiction’ or ‘romance.’ 12 categories include; Tales from Traveling, Dumb Things I’ve Done, My Novel’s Great Beginning, Near Death Experiences, How I’d Like to Change the World, Great Pet Stories, Kid’s Do the Darndest Things, The Moment that Changed My Life Forever, Children’s Bedtime Stories, How I Met My True Love, Random Acts of Kindness, and Once Upon a Time.
E-books go live once filled with 33 entries per category. Judges are the public at large, as e-book purchasers vote for their favorites. Contrasting old contests where writers had to win to get read, Vote4MyStory guarantees every writer and their website exposure.
Odds of winning are amazingly high in each round at better than 1 out of 17. First round 33 entrants per category compete for $500 first place and $200 second. Next round $1000 for first and $400 for second. Third round is the best of the best, Super Grand Story Prize and winner take all $3000. All winners are also marketed as featured writers on the website for one month. Getting started is as easy as uploading a story and paying the $24.95 entry fee.
Vote4MyStory was created by Jana and Jason Matthews, writers who experienced the difficulty in getting published/marketed and knew there had to be a better way. Jason commented, “Not only will Vote4MyStory help writers get their stories read, but the thoughtful categories and Earth friendly e-books will help make the world a better place.” 10% of all profits go to charitable causes.
For more information visit http://www.vote4mystory.com

###

Contact:
Jason Matthews, Vote4MyStory
PO Box 3267, Truckee, CA 96160
530-412-2202
http://www.vote4mystory.com

BCS playoffs, Vote for new design of BCS playoffs.

2008-11-23T08:38:00.000-08:00

I believe the best design for a college football playoff is to start with the top 8 bowl games, which represent 16 of the best teams in America. Take the winners of the top 8 games, and let them play a single elimination tournament to crown a champion after 3 games won. This could begin the first week after the New Year's Bowl games, and it could be concluded before the end of January.
Vote below for your thought on the BCS Playoff Debate.

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Mayan Fire Ceremony, 11-11-2008

2008-11-12T09:49:00.001-08:00

Last night under a fairly full moon, my wife, myself and a group of close friends conducted a fire ceremony in the spirit of the Mayan method. We each breathed life into the offerings and made many prayers for the energy from the fire to bring light and healing vibrations to humankind and Mother Earth. Below is a brief video from the evening.

If interested in hearing more about it or Theta Healing, please contact Jana Groscost-Matthews at her website, janagroscost.com

Barack Obama has people dancing in the streets!

2008-11-06T07:41:00.001-08:00

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I have never felt or seen so much excitement and enthusiasm following a presidential election. To see people dancing in the streets across this great nation was a thing to behold. My friends, family (some of them), and I have also been dancing. We have our reasons - namely that we're so sick and tired of having the Bush administration try to choke us with threats of fear and terror.

But I'd love to hear from others. Please feel free to take this poll and/or to leave a comment below.

Once Bush is gone, will the military troops complain or rebel? Vote here.

2008-10-24T13:24:00.000-07:00

powered by ilovepolls.com

It seems likely that Barack Obama will take this election. If that happens, how might it affect the landscape in Iraq and Afghanistan?
This is just my guess, but it seems likely that many military personnel that have been upset or holding their tongues with the Bush administration will feel much freer to voice their opinions or even speak of experiences that they previously felt they couldn't speak about.

Please feel free to leave a comment.

HAARP, simple science or military gone Tesla crazy?

2008-10-14T08:48:00.000-07:00

powered by ilovepolls.com

HAARP is something I've only recently become aware of, yet something about it immediately sounds concerning. The simple fact that the military is conducting a science experiment in the atmosphere is enough to make me wonder, "Okay, what the hell are they up to now?" I don't know any reasonable person that trusts the military to make sound decisions that consider environmental, human and animal impacts into account.
There are loads of websites actively encouraging the HAARP discussion. I found a pretty good one here - http://www.guerrillacampaign.com/Hugh.htm

Here is some of what Hugh has to say regarding HAARP;
I still cannot get a definitive answer on the ultimate purpose of data gained from these heaters. Depending on who you believe, it's either aimed at improving the performance of space based systems that are being built anyway, or it's a rediscovery of The Secret Tesla Death Ray. It's either a great new source of low-frequency radio waves for military comm or recon, or a new generation of directed-energy weapon that will terrorize the planet, turning the Pax Americana into global fact, allowing a despotic U.S. government to roll over the world and divide it up between corporations.

This web page generates more e-mail than all my others put together. This mail is private, and off the record, which is kind of too bad, because it would make a book in itself. There are people who hear HAARP in their heads. There are people who blame HAARP for everything from their headaches to giant power blackouts. When the Kosovo war came, it was pretty much universally assumed that HAARP was participating. Since HAARP did transmit during the period, rumors ran wild.

There are people, usually with physics degrees, who have "done the math," and are convinced that the military is only a few years from global domination, burning cities, charred bodies, a civilization under a sword of fire. There are people, also with physics degrees, who tell me that the whole thing is radio astronomy, it's geeks with arcane degrees, it's data that will improve life and freedom.

What are your thoughts on this? I'd love to know.

Wow, Italy is a wonderful country!

2008-10-08T11:19:00.000-07:00

We just got back from a brief but perfect trip in Italy. We spent time in Rome, Florence, Monterosso al Mare, and flew back from Milan. There is so much to say about this wonderful country, so much history, so much art, so much appreciation for life. We got lost touring the amazing churches of Rome's St. Peter's Basilica and the Duomo in Florence. We zapped around with crazy drivers on the city streets and the gorgeous countryside. We toured a 12th century castle and drank more than our fair share of wine and olive oil. We spent relaxing days exploring the beach town of Monterosso al Mare and splashing in the warm and (usually) calm waters of the Mediterranean. We ate gelato, pizza, pasta and fish. We cannot say enough about this wonderful country.
Next time we'll even consider taking the kids.

Heading off to Italy!

2008-09-24T16:47:00.000-07:00

We're really doing it! Jana and I have talked about a trip to Italy since we met. Now we're on our way. We'll be enjoying fine wine and food, museums galore, and even catching a soccer match at the Olympic Stadium in Rome. Will have more to tell in a couple of weeks. Until then, Ciao!

Palin family; Comedy of errors? Or sad state of America? Who is the real mother - Sarah or Bristol? Vote here.

2008-09-04T11:34:00.001-07:00

Who is Trig Palin's real mother, Sarah or Bristol? ( surveys)

This election is getting wackier by the minute. Regardless of how you feel about the situation, one thing is sure... Sarah Palin has some hard questions to answer about her family and the seemingly bizarre elements of Trig's story.

To those of you who say "family is off limits" or "leave it alone" or "what happens in Alaska stays in Alaska"... I say in response that Sarah Palin is possibly one small step away from being the leader of the free world and this is most certainly everyone's business.

Now, even supporters of Palin must recognize a string of bizarre elements to the "official story" that Trig is Sarah's baby. Let's all withhold judgement for a moment and go with the story... that Sarah surprised everyone at work with a revelation that she was 7 months pregnant when she did not show, that photos and video seem to have her not the least bit pregnant at 7 months, that her water broke at 8 months with a Down's Syndrome baby to which she proceeded to give a 30 minute speech followed by an 8 hour flight from Texas to Alaska without alerting the crew then to a 45 minute drive to the hospital, which then announced the birth of two babies that day but neither of them happened to be the Governor of Alaska's, and yes for the past 4 to 5 months Bristol has been kept home from school with the world's worst case of mononucleosis which just happens to coincide with the last months of Trig's time in womb, during said 4 to 5 months of mono Bristol also happened to drive a lot to the extent of getting 3 moving violations including an accident, and Bristol being a popular high school girl also inexplicably transfers to a new high school, and then of course as soon as the rumors spread a whole slew of photos and such are deleted from the family's and other's websites. Whew! Thank God it's not more bizarre than that!

In the true spirit of the American way, we might as well take a vote and see what people really think about this one.

Who is the real mother of Trig Palin? Sarah or Bristol?

Furthermore, regardless of which story is true and who is the real mother, it is safe to say that at least some of the following statements are correct.

1. Sarah Palin is lying to us all.
2. Sarah Palin showed terrible judgement and/or risked the life of her Down's Syndrome baby by boarding an 8 hour flight after her water broke.
3. Sarah Palin is clearly putting her political career ahead of the best interests of her family.
4. Either Sarah Palin will not have time to be a good VP or she will not have time to be a good mother for a Down's Syndrome baby and the other Palin kids.
5. Sarah Palin is the craziest pick for running mate of all time.

Nice job vetting this one to the thorough folks at the McCain camp! Let's just hope that it doesn't get any wackier, and that Bristol and Palin family can get through this.

Drumming in Oahu

2008-08-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

Recently got back from a great trip to Hawaii. We stayed at the Turtle Bay Resort on the north shore of Oahu. I highly recommend surfing lessons with Ash at Hawaii Waves Surf School. You can watch a youtube clip here, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFsaKCkEZpY
We also visited the Polynesian Cultural Center, which was loads of fun, culture, and souveniers. I even had the pleasure of hundreds of people lauging at me as I tried to follow the beat and song-shrieking of a great Polynesian drummer!

Big fun!

Poor Guy Ski Video

2008-07-14T08:20:00.000-07:00

My good friend, Paul Skowronski, just emailed me and brought some nostalgia into my face. Back in the winter of 94-95 we took a fair amount of ski video of us and other buds doing our thing on the slopes of Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows and Tahoe Backcountry. We put together a little compilation and called it "Poor Guy Ski Video."

Here's the link for about 11 minutes of it - http://www.skizzi.com/2008/02/squaw-boys-and-myself-on-adventure.html

We had a lot of fun.

just completed the 12 week challenge!

2008-06-15T08:17:00.000-07:00

Okay, here's the after pics (above the before one) of me completing the 12 week challenge from Bill Phillips and Body for Life. Jana and I are thrilled that we did it, for not only has it gotten us in better shape - but it's really helped us refocus all of our life goals and set up a new routine for getting things done that are important.
If you ever need some help with life transitions, I wholeheartedly recommend the Body for Life 12 week challenge.
Just look at my before picture! That was me, at 197 lbs in March. Now I'm at 182 plus I've put on about 4 lbs of muscle! Yeah, I still have a little ways to go to get that last pinch of love handles, etc., but I'm on track! My workout and diet routine are here to stay, which means so is this new me.

To find out more about the 12 week challenge, Body for Life, or Bill Phillips, go to this link - http://www.transformation.com/

911 conspiracy evidence

2008-05-27T09:33:00.000-07:00

To anyone who might be reading this. The events of 9-11-01 have changed the course of American history. In the end, they may divide this country like nothing we've ever seen before. Thanks for checking this out, because this is really important.
If you only check out one of the sites I've listed here, see what dozens of retired generals, colonels, captains and military experts like Welsey Clark and a host of others have to say about 911, http://patriotsquestion911.com/
Of course planes hit the building. You can't just drop a WTC building with no scapegoat. The planes were a red herring. My guess is the plane that hit the field in Shanksville was targeted for Building 7. When it didn't show up and the detonations were all in place, they had to pull the building or risk leaving the evidence in place.
The government as a whole didn't do this. Some element within the government did, and if you read the comments from the above website, you'll hear that all roads lead to Cheney.
There are plenty of whys, plenty of them. The WTC was in trouble. They were already hurting for occupancy, many floors were empty, and they couldn't afford the asbestos removal that the epa was pressuring them to do. No insurance company would deal with an estimated billion dollar asbestos removal. The new owner, Larry Silverstein, had just bought a huge insurance deal which he collected doubly on, 8 billion dollars. This guy Larry is a real gem - http://911research.wtc7.net/wtc/background/owners.html All kinds of documents on securities exchange fraud including Enron and a bunch of other biggies dissapeared when building 7 collapsed. The biggest why - that war and oil are big business.
Now, please look at the evidence. Let me list some bits of evidence that point to controlled demolitions and government cover-up.
1. 3 verticle steel column supported buildings all fall directly into themselves at free-fall speed, into the path of most resistance, the elaborate steel frame that was purposefully designed to withstand multiple jumbo jet crashes. All of the debris is pulverized into tiny pieces, even bits from the uppermost floors that were at the top of the fall.
2. Hundreds of witnesses reported and some were treated for ground level and other floor levels explosions.
- These witnesses include WTC employees who testify to inside parking lot level explosions well before the towers collapsed. These include William Rodriguez, http://www.william911.com/ maintenance for 19 years, and many others who are currently speaking around the country to raise awareness. http://www.justicefor911.org/Complainant_Signatures_111904.php
3. Pools of molten metal in the debris that burned for several weeks after the fall. (Molten metal is a by-product of thermate, a super temperature explosive used to cut through steel columns in skyscraper demolition) http://www.911review.com/errors/wtc/molten.html4. Dozens of videos taken by local people that show squibs (timed explosives floor by floor) that visibly preceed the fall.
5. photos of the floor level remains of steel columns cut at an angle with remains of molten metal dripping from the columns before the evidence was removed. http://www.waarheid911.nl/911column.jpg
6. Supposed terrorists that have turned up alive and well. http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/hijackers.html
7. No evidence of a plane hitting the pentagon. Go back to the first website for more opinions on this one. Have you seen the video the goverment released? It's a joke, it might as well be a missile - than a plane. Where's the video of the enormous plane with wings and a tail? The pentagon is the most fortified building on earth, there must be a clear video of this happening? Does this look like a plane? http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12818225/
8. Norad not responding. In the years that preceeded 911, Norad had an average response of 10 minutes or less to emergency drills. Why weren't they there when they had over an hour to respond? http://www.mycountryrightorwrong.net/NORAD911StandDownMath.htm
This is a partial list of evidence. Of course you can find websites that refute these findings. A war on 911 has already begun, and there are people on both sides.

I'm really mad as hell about it as are a lot of other evidence checking Americans. This has nothing to do with party administration and everything to do with truth and justice. If you want to talk evidence, let's talk about it. If you prefer to go off on a tangent, then I can't argue with that.

Trying to practice what it means to be American - Jason Matthews

Ron Paul, endorsed by Jason Matthews

2008-05-02T10:23:00.001-07:00

I admit to being slow coming to the Truth of Ron Paul and his message for America. But I have to admit being immediately impressed with him as the politician who represents our best interest and needs.
I'll probably just stick my foot in my mouth if I say too much here. So why not go to his website to find out more.

Clcik here to learn more about Ron Paul. http://www.ronpaul2008.com/

USmile Radio show with Lesly Federici

2008-04-27T10:18:00.000-07:00

Hi. Just wanted to leave a link for a recent radio show with Lesly Federici. We had a nice chat about spirtuality and metaphors for the present human situation within The Big Bang; Notes From Looking Within.

Just click on the link or copy and paste it in your browser.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/usmile/2008/03/13/TBA

Jason Matthews

911 Truth, 911 Mysteries, Zeitgeist, Terrorstorm

2008-04-22T13:39:00.000-07:00

Dear Family and Friends,

There are times in life when we do things and make a stand even though we predict our actions will be met with heavy resistance. This is one of those times.

I also heavily resisted watching these videos, for the last thing in the world I wanted to believe was that 911 was an inside job.

I went into these video skeptical and angry, angry that the concept even existed. After watching them, I was much angrier, but for a completely different reason. For now, I truly believe 911 was an inside job. Only comparisons to the Holocaust make me as sick that this could happen and that people intended to get away with it. (by the way, there are people who don’t believe the Holocaust happened. I write this letter on 4-20, Hitler’s birthday. Ironic.)

911 Truth is a movement that has already gained widespread acceptance. Years ago, as people started investigating 911 mysteries, the movement was met with incredible resistance, as you might imagine. What made 911 Truth continue to gather support, is the abundance of physical evidence and intelligent people supporting it. (Google it) The tipping point is getting near.

If you’re not aware of this concept, 911 Truth, then I’d like to present the case that you owe it to America to at least check it out and make up your own mind.

There are videos you must see. 911 Mysteries, Zeitgeist, and Terrorstorm. All of which deal with the myth of 911 as the public knows it, the history of False Flags, and the connection between organized religion, banking, and world domination.

When you watch the videos, perhaps the single most obvious smoking gun that demolition experts were involved, is the falling of WTC Building number 7. Please watch it and think to yourself, "what made this building fall?"

To the Americans in all of you, thank you for watching these. At the very least, you will be aware of 911 Truth and the controversy that is now sweeping our nation. If you’ve already seen them, then thank you. I will appeal for obvious reasons that you pass this information on to others.

God Bless America.

Click here to order videos - http://onedollardvdproject.com/DVD-new/Order.html I highly recommend 911 Mysteries!

Clcik here to watch Zeitgeist online - http://zeitgeistmovie.com/

Jason Matthews

Vote4MyStory.com

2008-04-03T14:16:00.000-07:00

A new short story contest site is in the works, and it's going to be really fun! This is just a small preview of what's to come, but there will be fresh new categories for authors to submit their stories of 2,001 words or less. Some of the categories include ; Dumb Things I've done, My Novel's Great Beginnings, Tales From Traveling, Near Death Experiences, How I met My True Love and much more!
We'll be making e-book compilations of the best stories and offering them as soon as they're ready.
So give me a shout if you want to find out more, or visit the website, vote4mystory.com (which is still in production but should be ready soon.
And when you get a story in there and the voting starts, tell them to vote4mystory!

http://vote4mystory.com/

The short story contest that promotes all of it's authors!