Jeffrey Zweig II's Blog, page 6
June 9, 2012
Now an active volunteer of Reading and Radio Resource
Hello all!
Just wanted to let you know that my audition was accepted for the organization Reading and Radio resource! I should be starting on Monday! Very excited!
Check out more about the non-profit organization at the link here!
That is all... for now.
Just wanted to let you know that my audition was accepted for the organization Reading and Radio resource! I should be starting on Monday! Very excited!
Check out more about the non-profit organization at the link here!
That is all... for now.
June 2, 2012
State of the Union for June
So now it's June, which means it's time for another State of the Union of what's going on with yours truly.
Captain Force has passed through another draft this month, however I've not met with my writing group this month at all due to commitments issues on their part. It gave me time to do some much needed rewrites but I'm ready to get on the last leg of this, get it read, revised, and start shopping it around.
The End Begins: The Rise of the Gate Keepers leveled up to a new draft level right at the start of the month, but it still has a long way to go before it's ready for beta readers.
Currently I'm working on a new draft of Lost in a Dreamscape (formerly What Dreams are Made of). That one is going very well so far. Mostly adding to it to refine the experience a little bit but no major hitches thus far.
I think I'll be done with this draft of Dreams by the middle of June. In the interm working on short stories and some other things. Speaking of which, in other news,
I'll be picking up the third book in Mira Grant's Newsflesh Trilogy this month, Blackout. I would suggest picking up her books if you're into zombies at all! Not just that but she writes so well that I'm secretly envious (okay so it's not so secret anymore). You can read my reviews of her work on Goodreads.
I'll be updating the fitness page to reflect my new weight loss goal and exercise plan. I'm going to try to also incorporate my daily dietary information as well.
Things are looking good in the voice acting arena. I have my first audition with a volunteer organization and soon I'll be recording my voice for the video game. Super excited about these opportunities.
See you next time!
Captain Force has passed through another draft this month, however I've not met with my writing group this month at all due to commitments issues on their part. It gave me time to do some much needed rewrites but I'm ready to get on the last leg of this, get it read, revised, and start shopping it around.
The End Begins: The Rise of the Gate Keepers leveled up to a new draft level right at the start of the month, but it still has a long way to go before it's ready for beta readers.
Currently I'm working on a new draft of Lost in a Dreamscape (formerly What Dreams are Made of). That one is going very well so far. Mostly adding to it to refine the experience a little bit but no major hitches thus far.
I think I'll be done with this draft of Dreams by the middle of June. In the interm working on short stories and some other things. Speaking of which, in other news,
I'll be picking up the third book in Mira Grant's Newsflesh Trilogy this month, Blackout. I would suggest picking up her books if you're into zombies at all! Not just that but she writes so well that I'm secretly envious (okay so it's not so secret anymore). You can read my reviews of her work on Goodreads.
I'll be updating the fitness page to reflect my new weight loss goal and exercise plan. I'm going to try to also incorporate my daily dietary information as well.
Things are looking good in the voice acting arena. I have my first audition with a volunteer organization and soon I'll be recording my voice for the video game. Super excited about these opportunities.
See you next time!
May 22, 2012
Updated Voice Acting Demonstration
Hello All!
Just a quick update here. I finally got my new audition material up for my voice over work.
Check out the link here for my two part reel.
I also updated the Voice Acting section of the website with this new information.
See ya next week!
Just a quick update here. I finally got my new audition material up for my voice over work.
Check out the link here for my two part reel.
I also updated the Voice Acting section of the website with this new information.
See ya next week!
May 12, 2012
By Request: Tips for Weight Loss
Hitting 220, coming down from 260, I get asked "how do I do it?" Basically they are asking "What is your secret?"
And what I do is no secret. It's very basic stuff to start - it's the basic principles most programs follow no matter how they choose to dress it up. I'm going to put them here, plain and simple:
NOTE: I am not a fitness expert. I do not have a degree in fitness and nutrition. This list is what I have made from my own experience. You should consult your doctor, nutritionist, or a personal trainer before attempting any drastic lifestyle changes.
1. Small portions. A problem with American meals is that there's too much food to eat, and there's that saying "you need to clean your plate before you leave the table" which is , as an adult, bad for your dietary needs. This excess is prevalent in most fast food/restaurant situations. Your meals, typically, shouldn't be bigger than your fist - that's about how big your stomach should be (as a personal rule of thumb I've heard over the years).
2. Small throughout the day: Supplement your major meals with minor ones - nutrition bars, water, bowls of oatmeal have all worked for me.
3. Exercise: This is a major factor - you have to be active - burn more than your consuming to lose the weight. Rather it's ten minutes every day or an hour one or twice a week.I go to my local YMCA and am going for 45 minutes to an hours. Half of that time is cardio/aerobic by swimming and running, the other is hitting the weights. Taylor it to what you want, but it needs to happen. I even keep resistance bands at home for when I can't get to the gym. I also run, crunches, push ups, and other things I can do without equipment.
4. Types of food: This is half your battle right here. Again, not being an expert in the percentages and counting points, calories, or whatever, I'll give you some general guidelines:
No pop/soda/soft drinks. Drink tea (unsweet preferred on my end), milk, or water. Water is best because it helps clean you out and keeps you hydrated. Pop has a lot of sugar that takes your body time to process. I cut it out of my diet and I dropped drastically.
Cut down your fast food: Realistically, unless you have time/access/skill to cook your own food you are going to get some fast food. Your best option (what has worked for me) is to really be mindful of what you are eating and portions. For examples, Chic-fil-A, instead of getting their standard fried chicken, get their grilled sandwich with tomato and lettuce. Or you could...
Simple foods: What I mean is that is eating lean, plain chicken, grilled is fine too. Tuna from the can is good. Oatmeal, salads. Get the picture? You don't need to dress up your food, and there are plenty of cookbooks to make great tasting food for little sacrificing your diet.
5. What are YOUR needs? This is the x-factor. People are unique creatures and have individual needs (amounts of food, exercise plans, etc). You need to do the research and experiment. Use what I say, and anyone else, as guides in your own goals.
Hopefully this helps jump start your own personal fitness goals.
And what I do is no secret. It's very basic stuff to start - it's the basic principles most programs follow no matter how they choose to dress it up. I'm going to put them here, plain and simple:
NOTE: I am not a fitness expert. I do not have a degree in fitness and nutrition. This list is what I have made from my own experience. You should consult your doctor, nutritionist, or a personal trainer before attempting any drastic lifestyle changes.
1. Small portions. A problem with American meals is that there's too much food to eat, and there's that saying "you need to clean your plate before you leave the table" which is , as an adult, bad for your dietary needs. This excess is prevalent in most fast food/restaurant situations. Your meals, typically, shouldn't be bigger than your fist - that's about how big your stomach should be (as a personal rule of thumb I've heard over the years).
2. Small throughout the day: Supplement your major meals with minor ones - nutrition bars, water, bowls of oatmeal have all worked for me.
3. Exercise: This is a major factor - you have to be active - burn more than your consuming to lose the weight. Rather it's ten minutes every day or an hour one or twice a week.I go to my local YMCA and am going for 45 minutes to an hours. Half of that time is cardio/aerobic by swimming and running, the other is hitting the weights. Taylor it to what you want, but it needs to happen. I even keep resistance bands at home for when I can't get to the gym. I also run, crunches, push ups, and other things I can do without equipment.
4. Types of food: This is half your battle right here. Again, not being an expert in the percentages and counting points, calories, or whatever, I'll give you some general guidelines:
No pop/soda/soft drinks. Drink tea (unsweet preferred on my end), milk, or water. Water is best because it helps clean you out and keeps you hydrated. Pop has a lot of sugar that takes your body time to process. I cut it out of my diet and I dropped drastically.
Cut down your fast food: Realistically, unless you have time/access/skill to cook your own food you are going to get some fast food. Your best option (what has worked for me) is to really be mindful of what you are eating and portions. For examples, Chic-fil-A, instead of getting their standard fried chicken, get their grilled sandwich with tomato and lettuce. Or you could...
Simple foods: What I mean is that is eating lean, plain chicken, grilled is fine too. Tuna from the can is good. Oatmeal, salads. Get the picture? You don't need to dress up your food, and there are plenty of cookbooks to make great tasting food for little sacrificing your diet.
5. What are YOUR needs? This is the x-factor. People are unique creatures and have individual needs (amounts of food, exercise plans, etc). You need to do the research and experiment. Use what I say, and anyone else, as guides in your own goals.
Hopefully this helps jump start your own personal fitness goals.
May 5, 2012
Thought of the Day: 15 Powerful Things Happy People Do Differently
My sister sent me a link to this article. I thought it had valid points to make so I'm sharing it here. Enjoy!
15 Powerful Things Happy People Do Differently
15 Powerful Things Happy People Do Differently
April 28, 2012
Post 150! Short Story Announcement!
Hello all! Finally and update with some substance!
First, we are at post 150! Pretty exciting news. So I thought with that revelation I'm announcing two new short stories coming this year relating to The End Begins. This time they are moving the story forward. What has happened since Cass, James, and Caleb saved the world? These stories will follow up to my next book, The Rise of the Gate Keepers.
More details to come as we come closer to publishing them. For now, sit back and chew on the tentative titles I have up right now behind the book/short stories tab at the top of the site!.
Have a great weekend!
First, we are at post 150! Pretty exciting news. So I thought with that revelation I'm announcing two new short stories coming this year relating to The End Begins. This time they are moving the story forward. What has happened since Cass, James, and Caleb saved the world? These stories will follow up to my next book, The Rise of the Gate Keepers.
More details to come as we come closer to publishing them. For now, sit back and chew on the tentative titles I have up right now behind the book/short stories tab at the top of the site!.
Have a great weekend!
April 21, 2012
Mobile updating!Reached a hill with book 2 and fitness go...
Mobile updating!
Reached a hill with book 2 and fitness goals. 220 is balking at me as is the ending to the book. Looks like I'll need some extra ooomp!
Reached a hill with book 2 and fitness goals. 220 is balking at me as is the ending to the book. Looks like I'll need some extra ooomp!
April 12, 2012
Self-Publishing Update with a Fitness update
Okay, so my KDP Select trial has ended for my books. Although I had a few sales, they weren't enough for me to keep it solo for Amazon.
So I'll be making them available on Smashwords again really soon.
I'm also taking down the first three parts of Project Nine as well, and adjusting the website accordingly.
Also I'll be making them free in the future. They'll be free on Smashwords first, and I believe Amazon should price match it within a week.
In other news, I hit 224 lbs today. So close to 220 it makes me sweat, in a sense. I'll need to get new pictures for the website and my book soon. I'm excited.
Goes to show that you've got to make your life happen, and don't rely on others to do it for you.
Set your goals, and do what it takes to obtain them.
See you next week!
So I'll be making them available on Smashwords again really soon.
I'm also taking down the first three parts of Project Nine as well, and adjusting the website accordingly.
Also I'll be making them free in the future. They'll be free on Smashwords first, and I believe Amazon should price match it within a week.
In other news, I hit 224 lbs today. So close to 220 it makes me sweat, in a sense. I'll need to get new pictures for the website and my book soon. I'm excited.
Goes to show that you've got to make your life happen, and don't rely on others to do it for you.
Set your goals, and do what it takes to obtain them.
See you next week!
April 8, 2012
Minor Writing Update
Not much to say today, except I'm still on the grind. Currently dual wielding between Captain Force and The Gate Keeper.
Most recently I finished Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood. I liked it alright. Thought I admit I got bored with the game play to I'm glad to be done with it. Considering playing revelations, but we'll see. The story, why I really play games these days, still keeps me hooked and keeps me playing.
This morning I intend to get to the gym. I've done some workouts at home but nothing terribly intense. I think I need to get it together, get back on a serious diet to lose another ten pounds. So it goes.
Be safe out there!
Most recently I finished Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood. I liked it alright. Thought I admit I got bored with the game play to I'm glad to be done with it. Considering playing revelations, but we'll see. The story, why I really play games these days, still keeps me hooked and keeps me playing.
This morning I intend to get to the gym. I've done some workouts at home but nothing terribly intense. I think I need to get it together, get back on a serious diet to lose another ten pounds. So it goes.
Be safe out there!
