James Ross's Blog, page 13

Meet Julie -- The Voice of Reason at Prairie Winds Golf Course

Another Julie who kept the guys in line

Many of you probably remember Julie from The Love Boat. She was the cruise director who made sure that all of the travelers had a fun and memorable time. She was that "open smile on a friendly shore!" But, Julie also played another equally important role. Julie had to keep all of her male co-workers in line when it appeared they were too disorganized to make it to the next port! What would Captain Stubing, Doc, Gopher, and Isaac the bartender have do...

Underdog Status is Unknown Territory for Tiger Woods

The world of golf certainly has undergone a shift in its foundation with the fact that Tiger Woods is considered a
The most successful golfer in the history of the sport just has not been himself since returning to the game after an explosive several months. Coming into the PGA Championship, Tiger has just finished the worst series of four tournaments in his entire career. In May, he parted ways with his...

Connecticut Shooting Offers Real-Life Example of Senseless Violence Based in Frustration

On popular television shows like Law and Order and CSI, you often will hear as part of the promo for an upcoming episode that the plot was "ripped from the headlines." When a news story captures the attention of a national audience, network executives see the opportunity for great ratings. This same concept also can happen in reverse, as my third novel and a recent tragedy in Connecticut illustrate.

Earlier this week, Omar S. Thornton opened fire at the Hartford Distributors beer distributor...

Meet Tuey and Feel His Frustration!

It is not difficult to turn on the television news these days and find someone who is mad at the government. The Tea Party movement that has been building over the past year is one powerful example of citizens who are fighting back against their elected officials. The antiwar marches that were common during the Bush administration also are well-documented efforts of our citizens to share their displeasure at certain policies that have such a profound effect on our country. But, what about ...

Meet Justin Ventimiglia

Just about everyone who has lived through their teenage years can point to at least one instance in which they made a poor choice in actions. Whether you sneaked out of your bedroom window to meet up with friends when your parents thought you were doing homework or you pulled the fire alarm right before fourth period in order to avoid a big math exam or regularly took the speed limit as a suggestion when flying through the neighborhood in your brand-new car, there is a story somewhere in you...

Meet J. W. (J Dub) Schroeder

Have you ever had to reorient the direction of your life when you realize the dream that had been the focus of all of your efforts will never come true? Maybe you always wanted a large family with the man of your dreams but a tragic car accident takes his life one month after the wedding. You have been going on auditions for seven years and you have come no closer to an Academy Award than a thirty-second spot for deodorant. In my series of novels that take place at Prairie Winds Golf Cour...

Single Moms in the Movies

In my upcoming release, Opur's Blade, readers will meet a single mom who is trying to create the best possible life for her son out of very difficult circumstances. She arranges for the boy to begin golf lessons at the Prairie Winds Golf Course and a world of new possibilities opens up for the young prodigy.

Previous posts on this blog have looked at how family is portrayed in various forms of popular media. She can be the saint who sacrificed everything to provide a better life for her chil...

How Do You Define "Family"?

This blog has featured several posts that focus on the concept of family and what happens when children grow up in a home that does not provide the structure and love they need. Why do children whose parents who are divorced have an increased likelihood of struggling in school or dealing with teen pregnancy? Are kids who grow up with an alcoholic mother or father more likely to become addicted to the bottle themselves? How does our family of origin shape us and, if necessary, how do we bre...

The Cover to My New Book Revealed!

As has been shared on this blog regularly for the past several months, my fourth novel is scheduled to be released soon. Opur's Blade follows in the tradition of many great underdog stories. My hope is that you will be inspired and maybe reconsider some of the goals in your life that you once believed to be beyond your reach.

While the actual book is still not available for purchase, readers now can see a sneak peek of they soon will be holding in their hands. Here is the newly completed cover...

There's a Soccer Tournament Going On?

What is arguably the biggest sporting event in the entire world is taking place right now in South Africa. Have you even noticed? The World Cup, the global soccer (or, more appropriately, "football") tournament is underway, allowing nations bragging rights that come only once every four years and it seems as if most of our country is yawning. After all, the Lakers just won the NBA Championship in an exciting Game Seven and it is likely that your favorite college football team is holding su...