Ed Robinson's Blog, page 19
January 21, 2014
Best Prepping Facebook Pages
I am not a hard-core Prepper. I do however recognize the possibility of societal collapse. I discuss the topic in my first book, Leap of Faith/Quit Your Job And Live On A Boat. Our survival plan is to skip out on the Zombie Apocalypse via our boat. We are quite self-sufficient these days. We generally keep a nice store of non-perishables, have the ability to collect rainwater and generate electricity. We are also mobile, giving us the ability to relocate our home to safer havens whenever necessary.
With that in mind, I’ve been following several Facebook pages that offer a constant flow of new ideas, helpful hints and tons of information regarding how to survive if the “Shit Hits The Fan” someday.
I’m going to list my favorites, the ones I think are the best. Go and give them a Like on Facebook and check out their webpages as well.
Number 10: Be prepared for when SHTF! Knowledge is the key to surviving when the shit hits the fan!
https://www.facebook.com/preparing4shtf
Number 9: Get the Information & knowledge you may need to prepare for a SHTF situation. Get Great emergency preparedness advice and get an excellent source of homesteading ideas..
https://www.facebook.com/SHTFPreps
http://www.shtfpreparedness.com/
Number 8: I help moms worry less and enjoy life more! The Survival Mom
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Survival-Mom/107498759319335
http://www.thesurvivalmom.com/
Number 7: We’re individuals who dedicate ourselves to prepping you for any situation. Survival Preparedness
https://www.facebook.com/SurvivalistsAndPreppers
http://www.ps-survival.com/PS/index.htm
Number 6: ”By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Preppers World
https://www.facebook.com/PreppersWorldUSA?ref=br_tf
https://www.preppersworldusa.com/
Number 5: We provide you with the knowledge you need to survive in any situation. Knowledge is the key to survival, without it you don’t stand a chance! Off Grid Survival
https://www.facebook.com/survivalwebsite?ref=br_tf
Number 4: The ultimate one stop destination for the survival and preparedness-minded individual. Survival Life
https://www.facebook.com/SurvivalLife
Number 3: We are Prepping for the economic collapse, World War III, alien invasion, Zombie Apocalypse and/or other disasters, as well as surviving everyday life. Survival Watch
https://www.facebook.com/survivalwatching
Number 2: Living Off The Grid (2)
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Living-Off-the-Grid/228080417303590
http://homesteadingsurvivalism.myshopify.com/
Number 1: Exploring alternative lifestyles, sustainable inspirations, those who reuse, recycle, upcycle, do-it-yourself, disconnect.
Living Off The Grid (1)
https://www.facebook.com/holdingearth
https://sites.google.com/site/holdingearth/
There are many more similar sites devoted to preparedness and survival. Feel free to share your favorites or to recommend additional pages.
Also, if you would like to consider living on a boat in paradise during the collapse of society, you may wish to read my first book.
http://www.amazon.com/Leap-Faith-Quit-Your-Live/dp/1478720921/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
Available in paperback or ebook/Kindle.
In my next book, due out in early 2014, I have a chapter called Zombies Can’t Swim, which also discusses living on a boat.
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January 16, 2014
Top Ten Internet Radio Stations (That Aren’t Margaritaville.com)
I don’t dislike Radio Margaritaville, it’s Jimmy Buffett. What’s not to like. It is however, very Buffett-centric. Plays Jimmy all the time. This list is for stations that play and promote the music I love, that you may not have heard. I’m talking about Trop Rock. There is a whole sub-genre out there that is being enjoyed by millions of island dreamers. These stations play that kind of music.
Number 10: Permanent Vacation Radio
Songs for the Virtual Lido Deck 24/7
http://www.pvradio.com/more.html
https://www.facebook.com/PVRadio
Number 9: Boat Drink Radio
http://www.boatdrinkradio.com/
Number 8:
The Shore Radio
https://www.facebook.com/shoreradio
Number 7:
Island Dreamz Radio
https://www.facebook.com/islanddreamzradio
Number 6: Radio Trop Rock
http://www.radiotroprock.com/Welcome.html
https://www.facebook.com/groups/191573559919/
Number 5: Aloha Joe
Not really Trop Rock, but a great Hawaiian music station.
https://www.facebook.com/alohajoeradio?ref=hl
Number 4: Island Time Radio
https://www.facebook.com/pages/ISLAND-TIME-RADIO-SHOW/97719894158?id=97719894158&sk=info
Number 3: Conch Republic Radio
Great Key West Station
https://www.facebook.com/ConchRepublicRadio
Number Two: Songwriters Island Radio
Live broadcasts from all the great Florida venues sets this station apart.
Sam and Gina Densler also host a monthly live concert in beautiful Punta Gorda at Gilchrest Park.
These have been truly special events.
http://www.songwritersisland.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Songwriters.Island.Radio
Number 1: Beachfront Radio
Your home for the best Independent Trop Rock Artists along with your favorite rock and country hits plus a great line up of radio shows featuring your favorite Trop Rock artists! Your Island Escape starts right HERE!
http://www.beachfrontradio.com/
https://www.facebook.com/BeachFrontRadio
Add all of them to your favorites on your PC, laptop or Ipad. Like their Facebook pages for all the latest updates and coming events.
Listen to the island songs play and plan your escape!
Melanie Neale
Reblogged from Reading Recommendations:
Melanie Neale
What is your latest release and what genre is it?
Boat Girl: A Memoir of Youth, Love & Fiberglass - memoir
Quick description: Boat Girl is a memoir of what it’s like to grow up aboard a sailboat.
Throughout the 1980’s and 90’s, Melanie’s family lived aboard a 47-foot sailboat, spending their summers along the US East Coast and their winters in the Bahamas.
This looks like an interesting read. Any "Boat Girls" out there?
Ed Robinson
Reblogged from Reading Recommendations:
Ed Robinson
What is your latest release and what genre is it? Leap of Faith / Quit Your Job and Live on a Boat - non-fiction
Quick description: There are many of us who dream about selling all our stuff, quitting our jobs, and running away to Paradise. This is a story about one couple who made that dream come true.
Nice to be featured at Reading Recommendations today.
January 14, 2014
Top Ten Tropical Facebook Pages
If you long for the island life, like Jimmy Buffett and Trop Rock, or simply love the ocean and the beach, I have compiled my list of favorite Facebook pages for you to Like. These pages post high quality content on a consistent basis and have plenty of fans. Seeing their posts will brighten your day on Facebook, guaranteed.
Number 10: I had to squeeze eleven pages into my top ten list so number ten is a tie.
Do you love the tropics for travel or adventure or want to capture its essence in your life or home? Tropicalogy is your online tropical destination bringing together the best tropical themed products, travel, and informative content through unique and brand name organizations, blogs, and news sources. Decorate your beach house, dress for a luau, plan an exotic getaway, or just sit back and browse the most tropical website in the world.
https://www.facebook.com/tropicalogy
Spreading the Love of Trop Rock and Island Music.
https://www.facebook.com/troprockblog
Number 9:
SeaBoards “Coastal Coordinates” specializes in Nautical / Coastal Signs that have the appearance as if they have been hanging on a Beach or nailed to a Pier for years.
https://www.facebook.com/sea.boards.1?fref=ts
Number 8:
We are scuba divers, underwater photographers, Marine conservationists, Marine biologists, Ocean artists, boaters, surfers, fishermen and beach-goers. We are an Ocean-Minded on-line community on the Facebook Inter web.. We are unique to each other in many ways but we have one over-arching and common interest. We are ~ Ocean Lovers ~
https://www.facebook.com/EternalOcean
Number 7:
I love the beach, seashells, sunshine and living in SW Florida.
https://www.facebook.com/seashellsandsaltyair
Number 6:
Leavin’ the grind behind…
If you enjoy vacation as much as we do, then we are the place for you!
Sand, Sun, and a Cold One!
Cheers!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Palms-n-Paradise/348128148614000
Number 5: Key West Chris
Chris has his finger on the pulse of Key West and is a fine singer/songwriter to boot.
https://www.facebook.com/ChrisRehm09?fref=ts
Number 4:
Island Jay celebrates the Caribbean lifestyle with daily stories and pictures of the Island & Beach life along with products that enhance that way of life.
https://www.facebook.com/IslandJay
Number 3:
Close your eyes and remove yourself from the everyday. Picture your toes in the sand and waves lapping at your feet. I live a bit of that life. Follow and become a Castaway! (and rum drink recipes!)
https://www.facebook.com/RumShopRyan
Number 2:
Through our original photographs, blog posts, rum recipes and short clips (Rum Therapy Mini-Sessions) you can not only daydream about that perfect stretch of sand, but you can learn more about areas and islands where you can someday take that much needed tropical break.
https://www.facebook.com/Rumtherapy
Number 1:
All things Buffett, Key West, Beaches and Bars and good books and Bob Marley. This is a great page for lovers of the tropics. Lots of interaction with over 45,000 fans.
Of course, there is always my own page, we’ll give it an honorable mention.
They gave up everything and now they have it all
Follow them as they leave the working world behind and become carefree boat bums and beachcombers. Read how one couple got rid of all their belongings, quit their jobs, and moved onto a boat.
https://www.facebook.com/quityourjobandliveonaboat
January 10, 2014
I’m Gonna Live My Life Like A Jimmy Buffett Song
Anthony Bjorklund helped me out when I was just getting started. I asked him for a favor because he has such a loyal fan following, and because his books are just so darn good. They take you away to the Islands. I think some of the readers of my book, Leap of Faith / Quit Your Job and Live on a Boat, would appreciate Anthony’s books as well.
It all started with “I’m Gonna Live My Life Like A Jimmy Buffett Song”. The first book of Di Island Song Series, begins the adventures of Jack Danielson. Jack always thought he had the perfect recipe for happiness; a serious career, a tall, skinny, blonde girlfriend, and a condo full of Ikea furniture. But one day an icy Minnesota freeway and a Peterbilt truck make him rethink his choices in life, and he hits the road and migrates south in search of rum, spices, new experiences, and a song of his own to sing. Written as a tribute to Jimmy Buffett and the Parrot Head way, this light and breezy book is seasoned with a healthy peppering of Buffetteria, and is the perfect read for anyone who ever dreamed of chucking the daily grind and slowing down to live each moment to the fullest.
“Jack And Di Rum Song” is the second book in Di Island Song Series, and the equally fun sequel to “I’m Gonna Live My Life Like A Jimmy Buffett Song”. The adventures of Jack Danielson continue right where they left off, when our hero inherits a dilapidated rum factory on a tiny island in the Caribbean. Filled with more colorful characters than you can shake a limbo stick at, “Jack And Di Rum Song” is a perfectly mixed concoction for an escape from the ordinary. Just be sure to keep a weather eye open for pirates…
“Let Di Song Of Change Blow Over My Head” is the sequel to “Jack And Di Rum Song”, and book three of Di Island Song Series. Travel once more to di island and join Jack Danielson,Crazy Chester, Jolly Roger, seaplane pilot Gus Grizwood, the ghost of pirate Captain Billy Black Dog, and the rest of di islanders as a song of change blows towards their tiny Caribbean home. It’s a story of islandittude at its best, filled with tropical fun, sun, and rum.
“I Just Had To Go Back To Di Island” is the fourth book in Di Island Song Series. Yes, the tropical adventures of Jack Danielson continue after all. Return to di island once more for the Rum Daze Festival, political intrigue, lost Puerto Rican pirate treasure, and a quick solar recharge with Moon Man. It’s a groovy time for all, mon.
Crazy Chester is missing, and there’s only one man for the job; Captain Harry, the son of di beach. Join Harry and many of your old friends from Di Island Song Series Novels, as well as some new faces from Paradiso Shores, as they follow the island hopping trail of that shoeless and shirtless forever, Caribbean amphibian, Crazy Chester.
The Captain Harry Series of books, of which this is the first, are light mysteries focusing as much on the joy of life in the tropics as the whodunnit aspect of the story. You can expect colorful characters to go with those colorful shirts and drinks, and a simple, laid back style of writing that’s perfect for that beach towel in Jamaica or backyard hammock.
Note: While this story is the first in a new series of books (The Captain Harry Series) and was written to stand on its own, it incorporates many of the characters from my Island Song Series novels. In other words, in most ways it is both the first story in the Captain Harry Series and the fifth in Di Island Song Series, overall. How you choose to enjoy them is entirely up to you.
All of Anthony’s book are available at Amazon, including complete collections in one set.
Make your island escape today by clicking the link below:
http://www.amazon.com/Anthony-Bjorklund/e/B003EPPZHQ/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1389369231&sr=1-2-ent
January 7, 2014
Poop, Booze, and Bikinis / Two More Chapters Done
Four new chapters in a week is excellent progress for the lazy writer. Earlier I composed the Zombies Can’t Swim Chapter and the Tim Dorsey Chapter. Now I’ve added the Jimmy Buffett Chapter and Pirates.
I emailed Jimmy Buffett to ask him to write a chapter for this book. He didn’t dignify my request with a response. I’m sure he’s really busy though, so I’ll let him off the hook.
Jimmy has written several books himself. I particularly enjoyed A Salty Piece Of Land. The reason I thought he could contribute to Poop, Booze, and Bikinis is this; take a slow ride through any crowded anchorage and the majority of the boats will be playing a Jimmy Buffett tune.
Why Jimmy? Songs like Son of a Son of a Sailor, or A Pirate Looks at Forty, were written for the boater. They weren’t for your average weekend boater either. They were conceived with the real cruiser in mind.
I have long wondered about the fascination with pirates, especially among boaters. Again, take a look at any crowded marina or anchorage. I bet you’ll see some pirate flags.
Why is this so common? Who thinks it’s a good idea to celebrate bloodthirsty killers and thieves? After much rumination on the topic of pirates, I’ve decided that sailors and cruisers see the pirate as some romantic notion of escape. After all, we quit our jobs and live on a boat in order to make our own escape from the stresses of normal society. The pirate may have been a scoundrel, but he was a free man. The pirate may have been demonized throughout history, but also slightly admired. He has broken away from conventional culture.
I trace the origins of this pirate love affair back to 1883, when Robert Louis Stevenson coined the phrase “yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum” in his adventurous tale Treasure Island. Then all those Errol Flynn movies in the thirties made pirates out to be chivalrous and good looking swashbucklers.
That’s twenty chapters down in the first draft. All are short and to the point on specific nautical topics. I’m trying to keep it fun and funny. It is NOT any sort of technical advice book to be taken seriously. Look for the release of Poop, Booze, and Bikinis sometime in the next few months.
You can get my first book, Leap of Faith / Quit Your Job And Live On A Boat at Amazon, in paperback or Kindle version.
Hey Bloggers!
Soliciting ideas, opinions, etc. on increasing blog traffic. How are you getting noticed? What works and what doesn’t?
Recently I signed on with http://alltop.com/ in an effort to increase my blog’s exposure. There is so much info there that one could waste a day perusing interesting blogs. My links can be found under the Lifestyle section: http://lifestyle.alltop.com/
I also submitted to http://www.getblogtraffic.net/ but they have some sort of “karma” system I haven’t mastered yet. I can be found there at http://www.getblogtraffic.net/search.php?search=quityourjobandliveonaboat
So I’m reaching out to the blogosphere for some pointers that I can share. What say you?
I also submitted to
January 3, 2014
The Black Palmetto
Hired to find a man who has stolen classified information from a government research facility, Sam Mackenzie and his partner Simone track their quarry to the backwater town of Iguana Key. Sam soon finds himself at police headquarters for questioning after a local citizen is killed. As the murders continue, the police need a scapegoat and their sights are dead set on Sam.
To get the police off his back, Sam enlists the help of Lora Diamond, a beautiful newspaper reporter, and Harpo Crumm, a homeless man also hunting the killer for reasons of his own. He uncovers a connection to a secret government program that reaches all the way to the nation’s capital. Navigating a minefield of hired thugs and assassins, he stalks the killer and becomes a target himself. The intersection of the players’ investigative paths leads to a deadly conclusion.
My Review:
Twists and Turns, January 3, 2014By Ed Robinson “Author of Leap Of Faith/Quit You… (On a boat)
This review is from: The Black Palmetto (Kindle Edition)
I’ve been waiting on the next adventure with Sam Mackenzie and I was not disappointed. Right off the bat we find Paul Carr’s addition of sexy Simone really adds some tension to the plot. The way Carr runs Sam through the paces reminds me a lot of Spillane’s Mike Hammer, or Chandler’s Phillip Marlowe. Straightforward prose, short words and to the point. The thing I like most about a good adventure/mystery story is when you never know next where the plot is going. Paul Carr adds twists, then turns. Just as you think you have it figured out, he throws in another twist. This is the third in a series, and I think it’s the best of the three. Paul Carr has taken his writing, and his characters up a notch. He avoids Key West in this one, but you’ll travel from Marathon to Miami as the story races along. Don’t miss this high action thriller.
Get it at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Black-Palmetto-Paul-Carr-ebook/dp/B00HJEHKRQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388769133&sr=1-1&keywords=the+black+palmetto
December 30, 2013
Progress Report: Poop, Booze, and Bikinis
Christmas passed and suddenly I was hit with a bought of inspiration. Not one but two excellent ideas managed to come out of my rum-soaked brain over the past week. I sat down with the laptop and banged out two good chapters that I’m really happy about.
The first is “Zombies Can’t Swim”. In this chapter I explain why you should be living on a boat during the Zombie Apocalypse. It’s hilarious, trust me.
The second is called “The Tim Dorsey Chapter”.
For those of you who don’t know who Tim Dorsey is, I urge you to pick up and read all of his books featuring Serge Storms. Tim is a New York Times bestselling author and Serge is a loveable serial killer. I asked Tim to contribute a chapter for this book. He told me that contractual obligations prevented him from participating in the project.
I wanted his input because most of what I see and write about takes place in Florida. No one knows more useless yet interesting trivia about Florida than Serge Storms. Tim would have been perfect, but it was not to be. What you’re left with is the chapter that would have been written by Tim Dorsey, had he said yes.
When I first thought of contacting him, I wondered what sort of chapter would he write? What would the frenetic mind of a writer who makes you root for a psychopath think when presented with the topic of Poop, Booze, and Bikinis? I then proceed to pretend I’m Tim Dorsey and write a very interesting and fun monologue that could have been from Serge Storms.
So yes, progress is being made. I’m feeling good about it as I await the next spurt of creativity. I just sit around drinking beer and watching sunsets and try to think of what to write next. Not a bad job if you can get it. 
