Bart "J.B." Hopkins's Blog, page 33

It’s Greek To Me Part 1

For Spring Break 2013 we shot over to Greece for 11 days.

I plan on doing a series of quick blogs to share some observations from our trip.  I say this, however, life is so busy that I may or may not follow through on that.  My bad if I don’t–many apologies in advance.

Observation #1

Take a look at this picture.  When we arrived in Greece, we retrieved our rental car, and this was one of our first sights on the roads.

Was your first thought that maybe this guy is drunk?  Or maybe that he’s pulling over due to mechanical issues?

Well, it’s nothing like that…it’s just what they do in Greece.  They drive on the shoulder, leaving a space in the middle of the road, so that traffic moving either direction can then utilize that space for passing.  The shoulder of the road is essentially another lane for traffic.  It’s a strange thing to get used to seeing…cars shooting down the middle of the highway, following the centerline like an airplane, to pass other cars.  But it works.

Observation #2

Four of our days were spent on the island of Santorini.  It reminded me of South Texas or Mexico, but even better.  The beaches, the sights, and the culture meshed in such a way that I considered Santorini to be Paradise.

Santorini is shaped like a crescent moon.  At one end of the moon is the village of Oia, known for its beautiful sunset.

Hundreds of people make their way there daily to check it out.  The Hopkins Five are as touristy as tourists get, so we didn’t pass up the opportunity.  Check it out…

That picture wasn’t altered in any way; it’s straight from the Nikon…pretty sweet!

Stay tuned for more fun facts about Greece in the future…

-Cheers-

Kindle Books and Tips

There’s this great site out there called Kindle Books and Tips, which is hosted by Michael Gallagher.  You can check it out by clicking on the image:

Believe me, if you have a Kindle or use Kindle apps, this site is a must-see.  No obligations for the readers out there…just tips and books.  Free.

Texas Jack is FREE today, May 8th, and was featured through this awesome site/blog.

Here’s some more info, straight from the source:

“The Kindle Books and Tips blog has a simple purpose to provide an interactive blog where you will receive tips to maximize your Kindle experience, author interviews, articles from the author’s take on the eBook world, links to special and discounted Kindle books, and the heads-up on the numerous books, short stories, and more available to read (and listen to) on your Kindle for no charge from numerous sites in addition to Amazon.”

Texas Jack Freebie

It’s time for another promotion!

This will be the last time you can grab a free copy of Texas Jack for a while…maybe ever…as I take some time to work on the next book(s) and ponder the true value of book promotions.

So take advantage of a free deal.

If you enjoy the book, please leave a review on Amazon, or shoot me a line through email and tell me about it: bart (at) barthopkins.com.

Many thanks!

 

CHILL

So I’m watching this amazing movie from 1989 that I’ve seen, I don’t know, 20 or 30 times.  And I never get tired of it.

Any guesses on what it is?  How about some clues…

Key Master…

Dissed in the Malibu…

How hard is it to decide to be in a good mood and just be in a good mood…

How did that happen?  He made me laugh…

Watch out for that glass…

It’s Say Anything and it’s sort of this icon of my youth, of my teen years.  It’s this vivid representation of a decade I love.  It’s awesome music, awesome emotions, and fun dialogue.  It’s great ideas wrapped up in a pop culture package of awesomeness.

But I keep seeing scenes in the movie that make me feel weird.  And old.  Mostly because they are scenes of a time that is moving rapidly away from me, becoming THE PAST.  Maybe it’s already a CLASSIC movie.

Examples

When Lloyd takes the phone with the ultra long cord and stretches it to get into the restroom so he can make a private phone call.  I remember doing that a few times back in the day.  Work is the only place I see corded phones any more.  Plus, everyone has a cell phone now.

Or a Wurlitzer jukebox…do kids even know what jukeboxes are any more?  Or records?

What if it was an iPod that Lloyd Dobler was holding over his head in what is arguably one of the greatest movie moments of all time?

That scene would be awful if he weren’t holding that radio…that “boom box.”

Of course, I suppose that everything happened for the best.  That movie came along at the right time…it couldn’t have been better.  So I should probably just chill.

YOU MUST CHILL!  YOU MUST CHILL!

TWIST SALE!

If you’re looking for a smorgasbord of paranormal stories by different authors, then look no further…

TWIST is only $0.99 for a limited time!!

Dora Spoof & Jack the Giant Slayer

Two Quickies…

1) We watched Jack the Giant Slayer this weekend.  I was really impressed with this original take on the old tale.  Really good.

2) If you’re familiar with Dora the Explorer, this trailer is awesomely funny…too funny!!

Airman, Author: A Novel Idea (Feature Article)

Sharing the latest news…

The Public Affairs folks at Ramstein did an article on me this week.  It can be found in two spots on the web:  RAMSTEIN NEWS and the   It’s also in the print version of the KA.  Make sure and check it out!

As always, many thanks to friends, family, & the readers…you rock!

Texas Jack Giveaway!

Goodreads Book Giveaway


Texas Jack
by Bart Hopkins

Giveaway ends April 30, 2013.

See the giveaway details

at Goodreads.

Enter to win

 

An awesome note on Texas Jack…

Every author hopes that the words they’ve written will be received well.  More than that, we hope people will enjoy our stories and/or find value in them.

Before I start rambling, I’ll keep this short and sweet, and just say that I thought this was awesome.  Thanks, Wes…

Review: The Day Before 9/11

The Day Before 9/11

by

Tucker Elliot

Sadly, many generations are marked by some tragedy that stains the fabric of our existence and leads good people to doubt, to question everything they thought they knew.

For most living Americans, our tragedy is 9/11, a common thread so profound that you can ask anyone where they were, or what they were doing, and without hesitation, they know the answer.

Tucker Elliot’s perspective is fresh, that of a teacher and coach, stationed overseas, educating the sons and daughters of our service members.  A regular guy caught in a situation that’s far from regular.

When terror strikes, leaving confusion and doubt in the aftermath, it’s a test unlike anything Elliot had experienced.  He doesn’t have time to figure it out for himself, overwhelmed though he is.  No, he must be that proverbial rock for the children of those in uniform who will soon be in harm’s way.

It isn’t easy—he is plagued with questions—he doubts himself.  He exhibits all of those traits and feelings that make us human.  Twelve years later, some of those doubts still linger.  They shouldn’t, but they do, a product of our stolen innocence, no doubt.

With uncommon clarity and emotional depth, Tucker Elliot has taken the magnifying glass and given us a close, true-to-life account of military families and the confusion and triumphs and losses surrounding them after 9/11.

This is a book for everyone; however, this is the quintessential 9/11 book for military families and anyone connected to them.

I have faithfully served our country for nearly 19 years; my family serves along with me.  This is our story.  This is our book.

Our thanks to you, Mr. Elliot, for an incredibly moving account of 9/11…rest assured you have honored the kids!