Virtual Book Tour Begins

I just started a virtual book tour for my book, Toe Up to 10K.  A big shout out to Pumpupyourbook.com and @LiteralExposure for arranging this.

Here is my tour page.  The links within the page go to the websites most current, since this page was created before I actually appear on those sites.  If you click on them after the date - type in Toe Up to 10K in the search field, and it should go the page that features me.

October Pump Up Your Book Virtual Tour Schedule for Toe Up to 10K

7th Annual Randy Simmons 5K, Bike Ride, Crossfit Challenge - Los Angeles, Oct 11

For those of you who live in the LA area.

I won't be able to make this event, but it is for a good cause.

Tomorrow, October 11, 2014, is the 7th Annual Randy Simmons 5K, Bike Ride, Crossfit Challenge.

Click here for the event's webpage

I've copied and pasted the following from the event website:

About This Activity

On October 11, 2014, The Los Angeles Police Department will be honoringh LAPD SWAT Officer Randy Simmons in their 7th Annual 5K Run, Crossfit Challengeand Bike Ride.

Officer Randy Simmons was the first LAPD SWAT Officer to be killed in the line of duty.  He was an extraordinary Police Officer, a positive role model and a constant mentor for "at risk" youth. In honor of his humanitarian spirit, LAPD's Metro Division has this annual event to support The Randal D. Simmons Outreach Foundation.

The Randal D. Simmons Outreach Foundation's mission is to help provide assistance to kids and their families in undeserved areas of Los Angeles. Come partner with us in this mission.

Thank you in advance for your support

Lisa Simmons

Event details and schedule

5K Challenge Run begins at 8:00 am

25/50 Mile Bike Tour begins at 8:00 am

Cross Fit Challenge begins at 9:00 am

My first Amazon review for the new book

A few days ago, my book on recovery from spinal cord injury, Toe Up to 10K got a review posted.

For the time being, it's back to #1bestseller for books in the category: spinal cord.

Here is the link to the book's Amazon page: Toe Up to 10K

Interviewed on a #book blog

Here is an interview I "appeared" in on a book blog titled A Book and a Cup of Coffee. The title of the post is:  Steve Fujita Shows Us How to Toe Up to 10K  Please read and enjoy knowing a little bit more about me.

Almost Fell for an email scam

Recently, I received an email from a stranger asking to buy my books.

I personally don't sell my books. Potential buyers would have to buy them retail from a retailer, or wholesale from a distributor.

I had composed a reply when I decided to do a search on the sender.  Other people who received the same email sent by people of various names indicated this is an email used by confidence tricksters.

This isn't one of those you won the lottery, or a long lost relative has died and left you money.  This actually seems like a legitimate inquiry to purchase something you are selling.

Was this a scam?  I don't know, but I'm not about to find out.

Here is the body of the email that is now deleted from my in-box.

Lesson learned: Be aware of unsolicited emails from strangers.

Dear Sales,

I write to inform you that we are interested in your books, and we
would like to inquire about the following:

Do you ship to Fiji Island?
Do you do Mail Order?
Do you accept credit card as for Payment (My US Master and Visa card
to be precise)? NOT PAYPAL

Thanks,

RIP Robin Williams - A Remembrance

To be honest, when I was a kid growing up, I didn't think much of Robin Williams.  I really didn't didn't like Mork from Ork when he stopped by Happy Days, or when he got his own show. 


One night Tony Randall was a guest on the Tonight Show, and Johnny Carson asked Randall who he thought was and coming comedian.  Randall answered, Robin Williams.  I think the audience and Carson was a bit surprised by this, but Randall, held up his hand, and said something like, "You see him only on tv, where his energy is restrained."  Randall when on to say something like Williams had a unique energy and incredible improv skills that made him special.  I thought, at the time, "Yeah, right, he's just funny being goofy."


In the late 80's, he starred in Good Morning Vietnam, which is a drama, with funny moments.  All my friends loved the movie, as did the Academy, but I thought it was just all right. 


But three movies he made thereafter changed my opinion of Williams.  Awakenings, Dead Poets Society and Mrs. Doubtfire.  To generalize, two of these are dramas, and one is a comedy, but all three characters he played had such a wonderful sincere blend of seriousness, compassion, sincerity, and humor that I was enamored by his talent.  In short, I became a fan of his work.


From that point forward, I watched his performances more closely, and really appreciated the depth he gave the characters he played, and the improvisational talents he brought into the movie, best displayed by a particular scene he had with Matt Damon in Good Will Hunting.


A couple of years ago, I was watching Mork and Mindy re-runs on tv, and knowing how "Wild and Crazy," (to borrow a description that would be used to describe Steve Martin) Williams could be on stage, I really appreciated Williams as Mork.  Though it is  a classic sitcom, and one where there is a moral at the end of each episode, Williams brought a complexity to Mork that you don't see in one viewing.


So, I will miss Robin Williams.  He brought a lot of joy and smiles to many people.  Including me.  His characters had their share of sad and happy moments.  Through the characters he played, he showed that life is complex, that it is 360 degrees.

Spiritual Intervention

I lost a good friend last week. A lady I had worked with for almost twenty years.  Her funeral was last Saturday.

Originally, I had not planned on going due to my issues with bowel and bladder control.

I almost never leave my home for more than a half hour unless my bowel is empty because if it is not, I am prone to accidents, both urinary and bowel.  At this stage in my recovery, I don't mind too much peeing in my pants, but I really try to avoid pooping in my pants.

The funeral was scheduled to strat at 9 A.M., and though I usually have a bowel movement each day, it is around mid-morning. The thing is, even though I know stool is ready to come out, I can't force it, and have to wait until the body is ready to expel it. So, the consequence is that if I am not near a bathroom during this window of time, I am prone to leak, and sometimes have major accidents.  Similarly, if the stool is ready to come out and I'm not less than two minutes away from a toilet, it would be even more of an embarrassment.

I would have to leave by 6 A.M.  to make to the service on time.  I told myself that I would have to wake up , have a bowel movement and get dressed by 5:45 A.M. for me to consider going.

As it turned out, I woke up at 4:30 A.M., had a bowel movement at 5:00 A.M., and was dressed by 5:30.  But I still considered not going because even though I had a bowel movement, it wasn't complete, and I knew I'd have another one by noontime.

I sarcastically had my friend telling me, "Steve, I woke you up early, got you your bowel movement. Now, come over to say Good-bye to me."

But my friend would never say that.  She would say, "Steve, I got you to wake up early, got you to have a bowel movement.  I would like for you to come and say Good-bye, but if you don't feel up to it, that's okay. I understand."

I decided to go, and decided that I would worry about my bowel movements on my way home, if it came to that.  As it turned out, two other friends who attended the funeral gave me a ride home.

I'd  like to think my friend made it as easy it could be for me to attend.  A form of spiritual intervention.

I'm glad I went.

She had a reassuring smile and hands down, was one of the kindest people I have ever known.  I am going to miss my friend, RA.