tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35930406616365911002024-03-13T05:14:26.641-05:00The BILLness BlogThis blog should suit all tastes. Though I know first-hand from prior journalistic experiments that writing inevitably takes shape, I doubt this blog will ever do so. Simply because I will be blogging about everything. Topics will likely include NonProfit/Charity, Funny Ads, Great YouTube Videos, and my take on Pop Culture/Life.
Finally, this is not a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly blog. It's a "whenever-ly" blog. So I'd recommend signing up for updates.Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489048524057376096noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593040661636591100.post-33304435895069773812012-03-09T16:44:00.000-06:002012-03-09T16:44:09.509-06:00ROAD TRIP!Hello Everybody,<br />
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It has been WAY too long since the last blog post. I have been extremely busy with several different things, one of them being the subject of this post.<br />
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This month, between 3-23-12 and 4-2-12, I will be taking a road trip!<br />
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Though I would love to tell you all about it, I think this video I made pretty much sums it up...<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/u0UKFRcQCLA" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Would you like me to come out near you? <a href="http://billcoonbooks.com/contact.php" target="_blank">Use this link to let me know the details!</a><br />
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I hope everyone is in great health!<br />
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Have a wonderful weekend. I look forward to hearing from you.<br />
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-BILL<div class="blogger-post-footer">Also visit my website: www.billcoonbooks.com</div>Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489048524057376096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593040661636591100.post-9768003334867887392012-01-02T14:05:00.002-06:002012-01-02T14:10:47.695-06:00SWIM FOR A CURE-- Luke Hampton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5hAgjt43K4w/TwIPPXJw6GI/AAAAAAAAAJY/FssVTvbIHjI/s1600/2011-12-30_16-47-35_112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5hAgjt43K4w/TwIPPXJw6GI/AAAAAAAAAJY/FssVTvbIHjI/s320/2011-12-30_16-47-35_112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hello Everybody,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season, and that your New Year festivities were safe and enjoyable.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Today, I am blogging about a a young man named Luke Hampton. Luke and his family are the focus of my new SWIM For A Cure program. You may recall one of my more recent blogs in which I asked you all to suggest charities and causes that are dear to your heart. One of the responses I received was in regards to Luke. His story is quite emotional and it really hit home, after my cousin, Michael, was injured in a sports-related accident and was in a coma for a good portion of December. In the way that life works, I found myself drawn to the Hampton family's story, and I immediately began working with Luke's friends and family on developing this program's webpage(s).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> With that being said, I would like to share with you all Luke's story:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On December 3, 2011, just days after becoming the top ranked wrestler in North Carolina, Luke Hampton was severely injured during a wrestling meet. Luke went head first into a wall, which damaged his spine and broke his neck in two places. Shortly after his injury, Luke was airlifted to a local hospital for treatment.<br />
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Currently, Luke is paralyzed from the chest down and he is undergoing treatment in Atlanta, where specialists in the field of spinal cord trauma are working diligently on his case.<br />
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Luke has a long road ahead of him, and consequently, a fund has been established to aid the Hampton family with medical costs.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As always, 40% of the proceeds from the <a href="https://www.createspace.com/3477769" target="_blank">SWIM For A Cure eStore</a> will go to the Hampton family, and you can also make private donations through the Hampton family PayPal page. (<a href="http://billcoonbooks.com/swimforacure.html" target="_blank">I established a link to their PayPal on my site</a>). </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you have a story similar to this one, or if you would like to make a suggestion, by all means, <a href="http://billcoonbooks.com/Suggestions.html" target="_blank">send me your ideas</a>!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thank you all for your time. I hope you take a moment to <a href="http://billcoonbooks.com/Luke_About.html" target="_blank">learn more about the Hamptons</a>, and if you feel so compelled to do so, please tweet, post, forward, or blog about it. Hopefully we can all work together to shine some light into a dark situation.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have some fun stuff that I am looking to roll out in the next 2-3 weeks, so keep an eye on my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/TheBillCoon" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> and your inbox for updates!</span><br />
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Have a good one!<br />
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BILL<div class="blogger-post-footer">Also visit my website: www.billcoonbooks.com</div>Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489048524057376096noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593040661636591100.post-68700980058486040102011-12-22T13:39:00.000-06:002011-12-22T13:39:09.070-06:00SWIM FOR A CURE 2012 GEAR UP!Why hello ladies and gentlemen...<br />
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It has been exactly 1 month and 20 days since I last blogged. I am either very busy or I am just semi-diligent with updates.<br />
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Regardless, I just wanted to shoot you all a quick message to ask you for suggestions...<br />
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As you know, I like to give back to charities with my SWIM For A Cure program. In fact, in 2011, just under $1,000 was donated to 4 different causes.<br />
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In 2012, I am hoping to hit that $1,000 mark, and do so while impacting more people and more causes. However, I want to stay true to the original initiative, and look to give back to causes that impact my readers.<br />
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I would like you all to take a moment or two to reflect on your life. Think of any illness that has impacted you, a family member, a friend or coworker. Maybe it isn't an illness, maybe you know of a charity that once aided you or someone close to you during a rough time. If you think of something, anything, I want to hear your story. <a href="http://bit.ly/vSi1f7" target="_blank">SHOOT ME AN E-MAIL</a> and tell me all about it. If you think you know someone who would do a better job suggesting a cause, by all means, forward this on to them. I want as many suggestions as possible so that I can tally it up and make some picks.<br />
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I look forward to hearing back from you!<br />
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Take Care,<br />
BILL<div class="blogger-post-footer">Also visit my website: www.billcoonbooks.com</div>Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489048524057376096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593040661636591100.post-36188140580624861542011-11-02T16:27:00.000-05:002011-11-02T16:27:20.024-05:00Jump start your Shopping list! Holiday Giveaway!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T-IIQeGT0Yk/TrGyFHSlmHI/AAAAAAAAAIg/PnGI9uOKilA/s1600/turkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T-IIQeGT0Yk/TrGyFHSlmHI/AAAAAAAAAIg/PnGI9uOKilA/s200/turkey.jpg" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Holiday Giveaway!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">'Tis the season to be jolly... and I am feeling pretty damn jolly!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">How jolly am I feeling? Well, I'm feeling jolly enough to jump start your holiday shopping list.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I will be giving away 2 signed copies of my book, <u>Swim: A Memoir of Survival</u>, on Thanksgiving day. One copy will go to the winner of the raffle, and the other copy will go to the individual who referred the winner off of their Facebook page.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">How does it work? Simply log onto my Facebook page, click the "Giveaway" tab on the left-hand side, then fill out the steps.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Actually, on second thought, I'm feeling SO jolly, that I'll give you all a direct link the giveaway: </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bill-Coon-Author/120656147972599?sk=app_149194385149202" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;" target="_blank">HERE YAH GO!</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">If you would like a step-by-step guide on how to enter the giveaway, <a href="http://bit.ly/ldUbBz" target="_blank">see my 4th of July post</a>!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Good luck to everyone who applies!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Also visit my website: www.billcoonbooks.com</div>Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489048524057376096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593040661636591100.post-68069150759413880092011-10-05T00:21:00.000-05:002011-10-05T00:21:53.200-05:00JACK'S MANNEQUIN'S NEW ALBUM, "PEOPLE AND THINGS"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D4jPHFxTYRA/TovliCMxqfI/AAAAAAAAAIE/sYWGa7O3nHg/s1600/Jacks-Mannequin-People-and-Things.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D4jPHFxTYRA/TovliCMxqfI/AAAAAAAAAIE/sYWGa7O3nHg/s320/Jacks-Mannequin-People-and-Things.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME!?!?!?! I am absolutely amazed that I did not blog about this when it came out. I didn't even <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/thebillcoon">tweet about it!</a><br />
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As you may know, Jack's Mannequin inspired the title of Swim, (and a great deal of my motivation) with their single, "Swim" off of their Sophomore album, "The Glass Passenger". <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-glass-passenger/id291292749">(Get it now, on discount, if you don't have it).</a><br />
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On September 22nd, lead singer, Andrew McMahon, and the rest of the band released their Junior LP, "People and Things". Personally, I am absolutely IN LOVE with the album. Unlike almost everything on Top 40 radio nowadays, the album is filled with meaningful lyrics and smooth melodies. Certainly worth a purchase, or at the minimum, <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/people-and-things/id453825060">a sample listen on iTunes.</a><br />
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Here is the title song, for all of you who have yet to hear "Swim":<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/sA8PaIw5gcE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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If you like that track, check out the single from the new "People and Things" album:<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lEzhnbAtY0E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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That is all from me. I am going to head to bed now, amazed that it took me so long to blog that.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Also visit my website: www.billcoonbooks.com</div>Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489048524057376096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593040661636591100.post-635269649548752042011-10-01T18:34:00.001-05:002011-10-01T18:41:57.610-05:00SWIM For A Cure - October 2011 and Beyond<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jO8B-EjO-mQ/ToedHUdE_2I/AAAAAAAAAH0/6rcgyVMnAHU/s1600/Picture+8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jO8B-EjO-mQ/ToedHUdE_2I/AAAAAAAAAH0/6rcgyVMnAHU/s1600/Picture+8.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It has been a while ladies and gentlemen. I believe I haven't blogged about anything in nearly 2-3 weeks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I wanted to check-in with everyone so that I can make a formal announcement regarding SWIM For A Cure.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lately, I have been donating proceeds to different charities/causes every 2 months. I have enjoyed doing it this way, but I have run into a snag in the system.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I began SWIM For A Cure during the awkward month of February 2011. Consequently, I began working with charities on a 2-month schedule when I only had 11 months left in the 2011 calendar year. Because of this, I had to either run one program between two calendar years, or give 1 charity/cause an intensely big month. I chose the latter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With that being said, I am happy to announce that this month, 40% of all proceeds through the <a href="http://billcoonbooks.com/swimforacure.html">SWIM For A Cure eStore</a> will be donated to the American Diabetes Association. I will also be making donations from book signings and events (dates TBA) and I will hopefully make up for that lost month by having a VERY active October.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How do I plan to do this? Let me explain:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Typically, I have relied on the Chicagoland area to host my SWIM For A Cure Events/book signings. However, this month I will be traveling. Below are the dates and locations in which I will be at speaking/visiting for other reasons.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o4dS5Pq_-yk/Toegw5-D_OI/AAAAAAAAAH4/YFlCwepVBNE/s1600/illinois-logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o4dS5Pq_-yk/Toegw5-D_OI/AAAAAAAAAH4/YFlCwepVBNE/s200/illinois-logo.gif" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">10/7/11 - 10/9/11</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SF8Ze9Bk4K8/ToehZpnAtjI/AAAAAAAAAH8/OIy5OdyVDdk/s1600/florida-gators-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SF8Ze9Bk4K8/ToehZpnAtjI/AAAAAAAAAH8/OIy5OdyVDdk/s200/florida-gators-logo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">University of Florida</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">10/13/11 - 10/14/11</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iYUSacR0Kfc/ToeiaMA_PfI/AAAAAAAAAIA/zolBMNCC8m0/s1600/cleveland1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iYUSacR0Kfc/ToeiaMA_PfI/AAAAAAAAAIA/zolBMNCC8m0/s200/cleveland1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cleveland, Ohio (Literally, the city of Cleveland. No logo, nothing specific).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">10/20/11 - 10/24/11</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I guess what I am trying to say is that if you have an awesome idea for a restaurant/bookstore/store/business/library/ANYTHING that you think would be a great spot to hold an event, let me know. OR If you have a friend/family member who may run a business or have a great idea, forward them the blog. I'll have some down time before and after speeches and I'd much rather raise money for a cause than just sit on my iPhone playing "Cut The Rope" or "Angry Birds."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hope everyone has been well since I last blogged! Take care, and hopefully I will see some of you out at an event!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Email me an idea: <a href="mailto:contact@billcoonbooks.com">Click Here</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Also visit my website: www.billcoonbooks.com</div>Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489048524057376096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593040661636591100.post-73290326667900447672011-09-13T02:46:00.001-05:002011-09-13T02:47:22.324-05:00SWIM turns 1!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shop.billcoonbooks.com/"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OJMKRIyh4SI/Tm8HA_8nZJI/AAAAAAAAAHw/LxsC1PTLaQ0/s640/1yearbackground.png" width="425" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am truly amazed by how fast this past year went. This time last year, I was packaging the pre-orders and preparing to hand deliver them to my close family and friends throughout Northern Illinois (who were, obviously, the first to purchase the book). Exactly one year later, SWIM has spread to every state in America, overseas to Europe, south to Australia, and up north to Canada.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I would like to take this moment to thank you all for your support over the past 12 months. Your kind words and enthusiasm for my project has greatly contributed to SWIM's international success. Thank you all for your continued support.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-Bill</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>*Offer expires at 12:00 AM (CST) on 9/14/11.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>*Limited Supplies. Orders will ship first come first serve. The potential for a backorder is great.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>*50% off the total order + shipping.</i></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Also visit my website: www.billcoonbooks.com</div>Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489048524057376096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593040661636591100.post-77646414188038159002011-08-01T20:51:00.001-05:002011-08-01T20:55:12.272-05:00SWIM For A Cure: Michael P. Savoca Memorial Foundation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mpsmemorialfoundation.org/"><img border="0" height="66" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hRdBgq8Oj6k/TjdMf64kL_I/AAAAAAAAAHM/dMDC2G3eqq8/s400/4try.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vy47cuNB18U/TeVs2gIJBII/AAAAAAAAAEg/Jy4sWJBcjf8/s1600/outreach_program_banner_cwpe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="70" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vy47cuNB18U/TeVs2gIJBII/AAAAAAAAAEg/Jy4sWJBcjf8/s400/outreach_program_banner_cwpe.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Hello everybody!<br />
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As you may recall, every two months my SWIM For A Cure Outreach Program strives to raise money and awareness for a different illness/charity.<br />
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I just finished working with the wonderful people at the Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation, and I am very excited to begin my work with the Michael P. Savoca Memorial Foundation, as we team up to raise awareness for Pulmonary Fibrosis.<br />
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Before I begin to go into detail as to how SWIM For A Cure became partners with the Michael P. Savoca Foundation, you should first know a little about Pulmonary Fibrosis...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KbqYgsCyMSM/TjdM71mHkKI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/Il0bpprvTMY/s1600/whatHomeIMG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KbqYgsCyMSM/TjdM71mHkKI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/Il0bpprvTMY/s1600/whatHomeIMG.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Pulmonary Fibrosis is an illness that affects the lungs. Pulmonary Fibrosis is the gradual scarring of the lung's tissue, which causes irreversible damage. Once the tissue is lost to the scarring, the tissue can no longer transfer oxygen to the bloodstream.<br />
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The cause for the illness is unknown, however, researchers believe that it is either an autoimmune disease, or it is a result of the after effect's of a viral infection.<br />
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Currently, five million people worldwide suffer from Pulmonary Fibrosis. Sadly, there is no known cure for the disease. Several drugs are still in the experimental phase, though the drugs have only shown minimal success in reducing lung tissue scarring.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>(Source: Michael P. Savoca Memorial Foundation)</i></span><br />
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Now that you know about the illness, it is time that you learn about the new beneficiary, the Michael P. Savoca Memorial Foundation...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j-QyH73lMIw/TjdS7WZl05I/AAAAAAAAAHU/yrzGGyT1BXI/s1600/Picture+17.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j-QyH73lMIw/TjdS7WZl05I/AAAAAAAAAHU/yrzGGyT1BXI/s320/Picture+17.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">About the Michael P. Savoca Memorial Foundation:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>"</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Mike Savoca was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis on March 17, 2009. Prior to his diagnosis, Mike and his family had never heard of Pulmonary Fibrosis. Over the next six months, his family watched as this horrific disease consumed Mike. Mike became easily winded and often, could not catch his breath. His breathing became labored. As Mike suffered, his family felt helpless that there was nothing they could do to help Mike. There is no cure, no treatment for Pulmonary Fibrosis. Mike passed away on September 25, 2009, just six short months after his initial diagnosis.</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i> </i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" /></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Although Mike passed away from Pulmonary Fibrosis, the disease did not define him. Mike’s favorite movie was It’s a Wonderful Life. In his short life, Mike truly embodied George Bailey. Mike positively impacted many people during his life. He was a man of integrity, hard work and family values. Mike had a career of nearly forty years at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. He was a mentor and friend to many of his people at the CME, always willing to listen and give advice. Mike had many lifelong friends and loved to laugh. Mike’s true passion in life was his family. The roles of husband, dad and grandpa are what truly made Mike happy.</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i> </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" /></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" /></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>The Michael P. Savoca Foundation was founded by Mike’s six children who serve as the Board of Directors for the Foundation. Four of his friends and his wife serve as advisors to the Board. Although Mike is no longer with us, it is our sincere hope that we can keep Mike’s spirit alive through this foundation and the positive work we hope to accomplish catching a breath of hope for Pulmonary Fibrosis.</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i> " <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(Source: Michael P. Savoca Foundation)</span></i></span><br />
Last year alone, the Michael P. Savoca Foundation has raised over $35,000 for Pulmonary Fibrosis research.<br />
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Now, in keeping with the tradition of SWIM For A Cure, I always explain how/why I came about choosing the particular charity or cause. I went to high school (and one of my high school's Turnabouts) with one of Michael Savoca's daughters.<br />
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I first heard of Mr. Savoca's passing when I was in the hospital awaiting my heart and kidney transplant. Since then, both the foundation and the family's story have been in the back of my mind. Now that I am back in my hometown for the summer, (along with my former Tunrabout date), I thought their was no better time than now to finally get around to working with the foundation.<br />
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Like always, keep an eye out for more e-mails regarding this new outreach program.<br />
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Thanks again to everyone who has supported the past two outreach programs for Neuroblastoma and Crohn's/Colitis.<br />
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A few SWIM For A Cure book signings are in the works. (I may even do one in Cleveland, OH... we shall see...). Keep an eye out for another blog about the official dates.<br />
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Check out the links posted at the bottom...<br />
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Have a wonderful night and week!<br />
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-Bill<br />
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<a href="http://www.mpsmemorialfoundation.org/about.php">Michael P. Savoca Memorial Foundation's Website</a><br />
<a href="http://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/">More Info About Pulmonary Fibrosis</a><br />
<a href="http://billcoonbooks.com/swimforacure.html">SWIM For A Cure Page</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Also visit my website: www.billcoonbooks.com</div>Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489048524057376096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593040661636591100.post-30322804052538812162011-06-23T15:38:00.002-05:002011-06-23T15:41:58.115-05:00I'M SO PATRIOTIC!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E1-iKaLS3hs/TgOZGviI5pI/AAAAAAAAAFU/ncdq341Gs20/s1600/flag_banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="55" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E1-iKaLS3hs/TgOZGviI5pI/AAAAAAAAAFU/ncdq341Gs20/s400/flag_banner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you can't tell, I am feeling <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">PRETTY</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">PATRIOTIC</span> today.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm feeling very red, white and blue because I AM GIVING AWAY 2 FREE AUTOGRAPHED COPIES OF SWIM ON THE 4TH OF JULY!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The giveaway is happening on Facebook from 6/23/11 - 7/4/11!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now, you may be saying to yourself, <i>Why would i want TWO copies of SWIM?</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Great question. Yah see, if you win, your FRIEND gets a copy, too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's how to enter in 6 simple steps!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">STEP 1: Go to my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bill-Coon-Author/120656147972599">Facebook Page</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">STEP 2: Click "Giveaway" on the left hand side.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HPqdPkb24LY/TgOefL1qNaI/AAAAAAAAAFo/YwDzBi7UnL0/s1600/Picture+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HPqdPkb24LY/TgOefL1qNaI/AAAAAAAAAFo/YwDzBi7UnL0/s1600/Picture+4.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">STEP 3: Upon seeing THIS page...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L4FaXF09qkU/TgOagbx7U6I/AAAAAAAAAFg/NK2-L9cg8pQ/s1600/Picture+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L4FaXF09qkU/TgOagbx7U6I/AAAAAAAAAFg/NK2-L9cg8pQ/s320/Picture+1.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Click "Enter Giveaway"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">STEP 4: Allow Permissions</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SMLLvZ9uq0Q/TgOf3QeyVtI/AAAAAAAAAFs/auuCEytrUyc/s1600/Picture+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SMLLvZ9uq0Q/TgOf3QeyVtI/AAAAAAAAAFs/auuCEytrUyc/s400/Picture+5.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">STEP 5: Post your entry on your wall. (This allows your friends to get the prize & it double enters you). Consider saying something to entice your friends/family...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nu5II1EaYDw/TgOgfdGmPbI/AAAAAAAAAFw/qqoSX1capCA/s1600/Picture+6.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nu5II1EaYDw/TgOgfdGmPbI/AAAAAAAAAFw/qqoSX1capCA/s320/Picture+6.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rygsTyM8ZJo/TgOjDiiPsiI/AAAAAAAAAF4/U1JKHJN1yeE/s1600/Picture+8.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rygsTyM8ZJo/TgOjDiiPsiI/AAAAAAAAAF4/U1JKHJN1yeE/s320/Picture+8.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">STEP 6: "Like" me on Facebook if you haven't already.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m2yR_HCSL6g/TgOgveieo8I/AAAAAAAAAF0/-RrKjC6U7xA/s1600/Picture+7.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m2yR_HCSL6g/TgOgveieo8I/AAAAAAAAAF0/-RrKjC6U7xA/s320/Picture+7.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">AND</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">THAT'S</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">IT!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just go back to your profile, smile, and know that you just entered a contest.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">TELL YOUR FRIENDS! SPREAD THE WORD! <a class="twitter-share-button" data-count="none" data-text="CHECK OUT THIS CONTEST. Free copy of Bill Coon's SWIM: A Memoir of Survival" data-via="thebillcoon" href="http://twitter.com/share">Tweet</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hope you are all having a great day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Also visit my website: www.billcoonbooks.com</div>Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489048524057376096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593040661636591100.post-3155029668967980672011-06-20T13:56:00.001-05:002011-06-20T13:58:49.424-05:00Someone You Should Know: Amy Tippins - RockScarLove.com<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OpptVTgimy4/Tf-UDf3kAjI/AAAAAAAAAFE/CLpCRIDsEk0/s1600/amy-2-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OpptVTgimy4/Tf-UDf3kAjI/AAAAAAAAAFE/CLpCRIDsEk0/s400/amy-2-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So as some of you may know, I tweet like a fiend (1,197 tweets... I started rethinking my my life choices around tweet 800).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway, while I was getting my tweet on one day, I came across the Twitter account of Amy Tippins (<a href="http://twitter.com/#!/RockScarLove">@RockScarLove</a>). Amy is the owner of RockScarLove––A clothing company that develops apparel with catchy sayings related to post surgery scars.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A transplant recipient herself, Amy set out to develop a company (and shirts) that <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">focus on helping transplant patients embrace their new, incredibly wonderful journey of a life."</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cAm7Ltbj54M/Tf-SgcYAOhI/AAAAAAAAAE8/jTNC6UuxJjA/s1600/Logo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cAm7Ltbj54M/Tf-SgcYAOhI/AAAAAAAAAE8/jTNC6UuxJjA/s1600/Logo.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #102c10; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Long story short, I am posting this blog for a handful of reasons:</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #102c10; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #102c10; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">It's a wonderful idea.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #102c10; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">I think she has something that everyone would like.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #102c10; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">She's someone you should know.</span></span></li>
</ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d-dcud0FYFg/Tf-SstauVBI/AAAAAAAAAFA/qguz0SyuI9A/s1600/Water+headshot+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d-dcud0FYFg/Tf-SstauVBI/AAAAAAAAAFA/qguz0SyuI9A/s200/Water+headshot+3.jpg" width="197" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rockscarlove.com/">Amy Tippin's RockScar Love Website</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Also visit my website: www.billcoonbooks.com</div>Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489048524057376096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593040661636591100.post-19290580738282803002011-06-17T23:13:00.000-05:002011-06-17T23:13:26.912-05:00MYSTIC CELT 6.24.11<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7uwZg_7uzik/TfwguZDfkII/AAAAAAAAAE0/WZ6nS9fkpsc/s1600/188025_208518732499476_4468489_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7uwZg_7uzik/TfwguZDfkII/AAAAAAAAAE0/WZ6nS9fkpsc/s200/188025_208518732499476_4468489_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">What did you do tonight? Or last night? (For all of you social butterflies reading this Saturday morning...)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> Hopefully you remember.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Regardless, I have a GREAT event for all of you Chicago/Indiana/Wisconsin blog readers to check out next Friday night!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The <a href="http://vaughanhospitality.com/Mystic-Celt">Mystic Celt</a> (located at 3443 N. Southport, Chicago, IL) will be hosting Danny's Song-Chicago; A benefit for the <a href="http://www.jdrfillinois.org/">Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation</a>. The benefit is being held in memory of Dan Sprehe, a kind young man who passed away on <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">September 28, 2010, from Type 1 Diabetes complications.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The cover for the event is only $40.00 per person, and it covers mixed drinks, beer, wine, and appetizers.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doors open at 8:00 PM, and they will stay open, for benefit purposes, until 11:00 PM.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 15px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">NOTE:</span></b> All cover charges must be paid in cash. (Mystic Celt staff will be collecting at the door).</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>ANOTHER NOTE:</b></span> I've been to this bar, and it was a hella-good time... no joke. I'll leave it at that.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 15px;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For more information, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=208518732499476">CHECK OUT THE EVENT'S FACEBOOK PAGE!</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Also visit my website: www.billcoonbooks.com</div>Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489048524057376096noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593040661636591100.post-27852673428742820682011-05-31T19:06:00.003-05:002011-05-31T19:22:31.675-05:00SWIM FOR A CURE: CNCF/Cure For Kubica<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vy47cuNB18U/TeVs2gIJBII/AAAAAAAAAEg/Jy4sWJBcjf8/s1600/outreach_program_banner_cwpe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="70" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vy47cuNB18U/TeVs2gIJBII/AAAAAAAAAEg/Jy4sWJBcjf8/s400/outreach_program_banner_cwpe.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Why hello everybody! I hope all is going well in everyone's day/week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am in the midst of putting the final touches on the next round of SWIM For A Cure. In doing so, I realized that I never <u><b><i>officially</i></b></u> announced the next beneficiary of SWIM For A Cure. I bolded, underlined, and italicized "officially" because, technically, I announced it by dropping not-so-subtle clues. Some of you may have seen some statuses on my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bill-Coon-Author/120656147972599">Facebook page</a>, or you may have seen the big-assed banner on my <a href="http://www.billcoonbooks.com/">homepage</a> promoting an upcoming event, (which I will detail later in this blog post).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nonetheless, I would like to officially announce that this second round of SWIM For A Cure will feature not only 1 beneficiary, but 2. Both beneficiaries were formed as a result of Neuroblastoma.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What is Neuroblastoma?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #54585a; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Neuroblastoma is a cancer that develops from nerve cells found in several areas of the body.</span></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> Neuroblastoma most commonly arises in and around the adrenal glands, which have similar origins to nerve cells and sit atop the kidneys. However, neuroblastoma can also develop in other areas of the abdomen and in the chest, neck and pelvis, where groups of nerve cells exist.</span></i></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Neuroblastoma most commonly affects children age 5 or younger, though it may rarely occur in older children. (Source: Mayo Clinic).</span></i></span></span></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The first beneficiary is <a href="http://www.cncfhope.org/">THE CHILDREN'S NEUROBLASTOMA CANCER FOUNDATION</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kh4q9KJYj78/TeVvZpBji7I/AAAAAAAAAEk/zfzaCjMlmDo/s1600/smaller+cncf.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kh4q9KJYj78/TeVvZpBji7I/AAAAAAAAAEk/zfzaCjMlmDo/s320/smaller+cncf.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation (CNCF) is dedicated to raising Neuroblastoma awareness and to raising money towards a cure for the disease. To date, the CNCF has funded over 1.5 million dollars in Neuroblastoma research.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had the pleasure of joining the CNCF President, Pat Tallungan, and the rest of the CNCF staff earlier this month at their <a href="http://www.cncfhope.org/event_Detail/id/65/_7th_annual_%93Allie_and_Friends_Golf_Classic%94_on_May_2%2C_2011">7th Annual "Allie & Friends Golf Classic"</a> in Lake in the Hills, IL. The event was spectacular, and it featured current Indianapolis Colts players, Ryan Diem, Jeff Saturday, Dallas Clark, Gary Brackett, and several others. A handful of ex-Chicago Bears and current Green Bay Packers players also donated their time to the event and cause.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After attending the event I was blown away by the passion and organization of every staff member. Needless to say, I went home thrilled to begin working with the CNCF.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><b>*The CNCF will receive 20% of book proceeds through the <a href="https://www.createspace.com/3477769">SWIM For A Cure eStore</a> along with 50% of online donations </b></i><b><i>between 6.1.11 - 7.31.11</i></b><i><b>.</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The second and final beneficiary is <a href="http://www.cureforkubica.com/index.htm">CURE FOR KUBICA</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rFW7X20hK58/TeV1yyBz2uI/AAAAAAAAAEo/6AINUsol3-s/s1600/cureforkubica.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="32" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rFW7X20hK58/TeV1yyBz2uI/AAAAAAAAAEo/6AINUsol3-s/s320/cureforkubica.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Alec Kubica, a recent graduate of Lake Park High School, is the sole reason why I initially became interested in Neuroblastoma. I initially heard about Alec and his story from a close family friend last March. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last summer, Alec was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma. Within weeks of of his diagnosis, Alec began his first of six rounds of chemotherapy at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Since being diagnosed, Alec has undergone a multitude of procedures, including a tumor removal from his skull and a stem cell transplant.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Much like <u>SWIM</u> readers relate to my story in their own way, I relateed to Alec's current battle. Though the illnesses are completely different, I can fully appreciate the daily battles of being ill and the emotions involved with every procedure. I can also fully understand the financial toll an illness takes on a family. It is because of this understanding that I have included Cure For Kubica as a secondary beneficiary to this round of SWIM For A Cure.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>*Alec's family will receive 20% of book proceeds through the <a href="https://www.createspace.com/3477769">SWIM For A Cure eStore</a> and 50% of all online donations between 6.1.11 - 7.31.11. The money will go towards the cost of medical/parking/lodging expenses.</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now that you know the stories and you are updated on the upcoming cause, you should know about an upcoming event...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CST2Zx2vPFY/TeWAHkMohuI/AAAAAAAAAEs/-G3cQZ7Nv7A/s1600/Egg+Harbor+6.11.11+site+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CST2Zx2vPFY/TeWAHkMohuI/AAAAAAAAAEs/-G3cQZ7Nv7A/s400/Egg+Harbor+6.11.11+site+banner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Egg Harbor Cafe in Wheaton, IL is opening their doors to SWIM For A Cure, and they will be donating 10% of your bill to the Children's Neuroblastoma Caner Foundation. The only catch is that you need to <a href="http://billcoonbooks.com/uploads/EGG_HARBOR_6.11.11_flyer.pdf">BRING IN THE FLYER</a> when you come to the event and present the flyer to your waiter/waitress. The hours of the event are 6AM - 2PM.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I will also be at this event signing copies of <u>SWIM.</u> 20% of the book proceeds (on 6.11.11) will go to the CNCF and 10% of the book proceeds will go to Cure For Kubica. I, however, will only be signing copies from 9AM - 2PM. (You wouldn't want to see me at 6AM... trust me).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://billcoonbooks.com/Eggharbor.html">Check out the official page for the event</a> and make sure you forward this blog post to all your friends.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hope to see a lot of you at the event!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Take care and enjoy your night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://billcoonbooks.com/swimforacure.html">SWIM FOR A CURE INFO PAGE</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Also visit my website: www.billcoonbooks.com</div>Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489048524057376096noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593040661636591100.post-83084971075807437762011-05-21T13:17:00.001-05:002011-05-21T13:19:58.907-05:00Someone You Should Know: Nick Murway - NickPhoto.net<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8PBdHGU2xqM/Tdf6RvmJhpI/AAAAAAAAAEM/V2-GOWu_hQw/s1600/20110413_bill_coon_books_107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8PBdHGU2xqM/Tdf6RvmJhpI/AAAAAAAAAEM/V2-GOWu_hQw/s400/20110413_bill_coon_books_107.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last month I had the pleasure of working with a great guy named Nick Murway. Nick is a recent Photography graduate of Columbia College Chicago.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was in desperate need of some photos due to certain bloggers/e-zines requesting "never before used" photos. After browsing Columbia's online student portfolio, I narrowed my selection down to Nick.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Long story short, I am posting this blog for a handful of reasons:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1. I'm happy with the finished product.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2. I had a great experience at the shoot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3. Nick's a really nice guy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4. He's fresh out of college, and anyone fresh out of college needs help promoting themselves.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5. He's someone you should know.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0M04_lbF7rY/Tdf9XAMGMxI/AAAAAAAAAEU/BXYra0yr7Xc/s1600/aboutme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0M04_lbF7rY/Tdf9XAMGMxI/AAAAAAAAAEU/BXYra0yr7Xc/s320/aboutme.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you happen to need a photographer this summer, check this guy out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nick Murway's Website: <a href="http://www.nickphoto.net/">www.nickphoto.net/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">See the photo I used on my website (bottom right): <a href="http://www.billcoonbooks.com/">www.billcoonbooks.com</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>We couldn't resist taking a pic of the book with this sign...</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Also visit my website: www.billcoonbooks.com</div>Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489048524057376096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593040661636591100.post-79382739165162546492011-05-17T15:02:00.000-05:002011-05-17T15:02:29.600-05:00What Are You Doing This Saturday?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Three weeks ago I attended a living kidney donation informational seminar in Chicago. The event was sponsored by the Living Kidney Donor Network (<a href="http://LKDN.org/">LKDN.org</a>) and those in attendance were individuals who are in need of a kidney transplant, and individuals who were recently notified by there doctor that they should begin preparing for the possibility of a kidney transplant within the coming year. I was in attendance after being asked by LKDN's President to serve as mentor/veteran of transplant.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While I was at the event, I struck up a conversation with Jorge Mariscal. Jorge is a 21 year-old college student who was diagnosed with renal failure in 2005 during his junior year of high school. Since being diagnosed, Jorge has been undergoing dialysis treatments with the hopes of someday receiving a kidney transplant. However, there is a major roadblock standing in the way of Jorge's future––money.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jorge's insurance only covers the cost of dialysis. Unfortunately, it does not cover the cost of transplant. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jorge is being managed at Loyola University Medical Center, who has set the price of a kidney transplant at $100,000. Thus far, the Mariscals have managed to save $15,000.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This Saturday, the Mariscals will be hosting a benefit for the Jorge A. Mariscal Kidney Transplant Fund.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The event will be held in Melrose Park, IL. Below I have posted an image of the informational flyer, which details the festivities and event times. Definitely check it out if you are in the area. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I realize that a good portion of this blog's readers either live across the country or across an ocean, so for all of you, I guess I ask that you take away the simple thought of how disgustingly greedy our world/humanity has become that there is now, undoubtedly, a price tag on life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JjKFsDEdsSA/TdLKbxO9CkI/AAAAAAAAAEA/9hntohRaauE/s1600/may+21st+even+final+pic+English.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JjKFsDEdsSA/TdLKbxO9CkI/AAAAAAAAAEA/9hntohRaauE/s320/may+21st+even+final+pic+English.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=107414385947201&v=wall">Jorge A. Mariscal Kidney Transplant Fund Facebook Page</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Also visit my website: www.billcoonbooks.com</div>Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489048524057376096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593040661636591100.post-91642296754911414932011-04-18T18:23:00.001-05:002011-04-26T22:48:38.203-05:00You HAVE TO Watch Oprah Tomorrow!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lvv0xdj7K14/Tay9BcMDE0I/AAAAAAAAAC0/5FnzAvrcn1c/s1600/oprah_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lvv0xdj7K14/Tay9BcMDE0I/AAAAAAAAAC0/5FnzAvrcn1c/s200/oprah_logo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hey Everybody,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I know, you are probably seeing that Oprah logo and saying to yourself, <i>Oh My God! Bill is going to be on Oprah!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nay.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">However, a great family will be.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b_CHwD98kiY/Tay9AVQByQI/AAAAAAAAACw/gaFGmC3-AIo/s1600/charlespeanutweb1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b_CHwD98kiY/Tay9AVQByQI/AAAAAAAAACw/gaFGmC3-AIo/s1600/charlespeanutweb1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">SWIM readers may recall a section of the book where Chicago Bears Cornerback, Charles Tillman, and his wife, Jackie Tillman, visit me in the hospital. As I detail in the book, Charles and Jackie were compelled to visit me <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGnIEbSVtyo&NR=1">after they went through a similar situation with their daughter, Tiana.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since Tiana's life-saving heart transplant, Charles and Jackie have set out on a quest to not only raise organ donor awareness, but to <a href="http://www.charlestillman.org/about.php">provide aid and support to children and/or the families of children in need through their Cornerstone Foundation.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tomorrow, all of the couple's generosity and hard work will be recognized on Oprah.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The show airs tomorrow at 9:00 AM and re-airs at 11:00 PM (CST).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Please forward this post to all of your friends so that both the cause and the Tillmans receive the greatest amount of recognition, which they deserve.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For a sneak peak at the show, <a href="http://www.oprah.com/showinfo/The-61-Year-Old-Surrogate-Mom-Who-Gave-Birth-to-Her-Own-Grandson">click here</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JojpdnMjSqc/Tay8_WnKWkI/AAAAAAAAACs/pZea4Om4lpo/s1600/Charles_Tillman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JojpdnMjSqc/Tay8_WnKWkI/AAAAAAAAACs/pZea4Om4lpo/s320/Charles_Tillman.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br />
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Also visit my website: www.billcoonbooks.com</div>Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489048524057376096noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593040661636591100.post-18774379755794296022011-04-04T01:19:00.003-05:002011-04-26T22:49:41.481-05:00April Is Donate Life Month!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0QwFuTBmvtY/TZlUJz0O2mI/AAAAAAAAACk/XteJF6MLnKI/s1600/thanx_hands_rgb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0QwFuTBmvtY/TZlUJz0O2mI/AAAAAAAAACk/XteJF6MLnKI/s320/thanx_hands_rgb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I should have written this on Thursday, but due to a hectic week of class, traveling and speeches, I am just now finding time to write this important blog.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">April is a big month. Not only because my birthday is on the 24th, but because this month is National Donate Life Month!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I will not go into the traditional explanation as to why I care about the cause, because let's be real, everyone who follows this blog is well aware of <a href="http://www.billcoonbooks.com/About_the_Book.html">my story</a> and why I have such a great deal of interest in this cause.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now that I am done with sounding extremely cocky, I would like to get to the heart (excuse the pun) of this blog.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you are not already, I would like to invite you all to <a href="http://www.billcoonbooks.com/Become_An_Organ_Donor.html">REGISTER AS AN ORGAN DONOR</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That link will direct you to my website, where I have compiled a database of both information and donor registries. (I even compiled a brief list of International registries).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you have already registered to be an organ donor, I sincerely thank you. However, I ask that you please forward this message on to all of your friends and family as a way of spreading the word of the importance of organ donation. You can easily do so by clicking the e-mail link below this post or by using the Twitter and Facebook tools at the top left corner.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thank you all for your continued support. I hope to see a day where individuals no longer have to spend 70+ days (or perish) trying to make it to an abstract date of surgery, much like countless others do yearly as a result of a shortage in registered donors.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thank you for your time and attention,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bill</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Also visit my website: www.billcoonbooks.com</div>Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489048524057376096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593040661636591100.post-30930711131284185762011-03-16T02:16:00.001-05:002011-03-16T02:27:01.187-05:00Pick Your Poison: Which Is The Worst Song Ever?<div style="text-align: left;">I have been struggling lately with a realization––lyrical content is absent in 90% of my generation's music. It's true. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if John Lennon is turning in his grave on a daily basis.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">In all sincerity, I have been very disappointed in my generation's music for many years now, but it wasn't until this week that I began mourning the loss of it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">With that being said, which of the two "songs" do you think is the worst?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">WARNING: THIS MAY BE A DIFFICULT DECISION! I AM BASICALLY ASKING YOU TO PICK THE BETTER SMELLING TURD.</span></u></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Option 1:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Rebecca Black- "Friday"<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><object height="390" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CD2LRROpph0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CD2LRROpph0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></embed></object><br />
<br />
Option 2:<br />
<br />
Jenna Rose ft. Triggy - "My Jeans"<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7DwT_2QQU64?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="640"></iframe><br />
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Oh, and by the way... no... I don't feel bad about making fun of 12 year-old girls.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Also visit my website: www.billcoonbooks.com</div>Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489048524057376096noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593040661636591100.post-23502606638225237732011-03-14T22:45:00.001-05:002011-03-14T22:45:00.301-05:00BRAVO/HELL NO 3/6/11 - 3/13/11<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Kbixdl6VjX8/TXM6GOAbU-I/AAAAAAAAABk/3YHrqxjXojE/s1600/BRAVOHELLNO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Kbixdl6VjX8/TXM6GOAbU-I/AAAAAAAAABk/3YHrqxjXojE/s1600/BRAVOHELLNO.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And so we continue. The second installment of Bravo/Hell No––The segment where I comment on the 3 people/things/events from the prior week that I feel were robbed of their deserved applause and the 3 people/things/events that I feel dodged an equally deserved scolding. Now, let us begin...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ez6DUcueISU/TX62GT6iTtI/AAAAAAAAACM/TR0j08oEDpo/s1600/621074017-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ez6DUcueISU/TX62GT6iTtI/AAAAAAAAACM/TR0j08oEDpo/s320/621074017-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b>BRAVO</b></span> to <a href="http://natedonnis.bandcamp.com/album/the-donnis-trio-all-directions">The Donnis Trio</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am a tad under the weather at the moment. I have been for a few days now. Consequently, I haven't accomplished much except sitting, eating, sleeping, and staring at Facebook/Twitter (rarely posting or tweeting). While staring at Facebook, I stumbled upon a link to this little gem. (Website link in the name).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A very chill, relaxing band, who were apparently a 1-album wonder. They are on iTunes, so you have no excuse to not check them out. I can really see them appealing to anyone of any taste (that is, besides the Jersey Shore, club head, douche bag crowd). So, basically, as long as you can name at least 4 states in the USA, count to 20, and you <u>don't</u> shop at Armani Exchange... than you <u><i>SHOULD</i></u> like this group.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qxVkk8ouMWU/TX7JjBJBiMI/AAAAAAAAACg/w_gvvSGVPYQ/s1600/t1larg.greene_ads_mirror.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qxVkk8ouMWU/TX7JjBJBiMI/AAAAAAAAACg/w_gvvSGVPYQ/s400/t1larg.greene_ads_mirror.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">HELL NO</span></b> to Bathroom Ads.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fun Fact: The average individual is exposed to roughly 5,000 ads a day. From billboards to bus stops, T.V. to your cell phone applications, advertisements hunt you down and make you read the pitch or promotion no matter where you turn. It used to be that the only place one could hide from the constant brain-berating ad stimulus was in a bathroom stall... not anymore.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now, thanks to an advertising firm in North Carolina, you now have to view an ad for a Big Mac while your colon is punishing your anus for eating one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sC9z_OAgASo/TX6-APp4l-I/AAAAAAAAACc/QveMMUVGbaM/s1600/giants-tiki-barber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sC9z_OAgASo/TX6-APp4l-I/AAAAAAAAACc/QveMMUVGbaM/s320/giants-tiki-barber.jpg" width="279" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">BRAVO</span></b> to Tiki Barber.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A little of 4 years ago, Tiki Barber, former New York Giants running back, retired from the NFL and began broadcasting for NBC.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fast forward to last Wednesday, TIKI RETURNS!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Some were skeptical of his choice to return and ridiculed him for ever leaving.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You know who else they did that to? Brett Favre. THE BRETT FAVRE who came out of a (seemingly) 3-week-long retirement, played a mediocre season with the Jets and then had a career year with the Minnesota Vikings.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tiki is simply following in Favre's foot steps. In fact, I will predict his future:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This year <a href="http://www.nfllockout.com/">(if the NFL does have "a year")</a> Tiki will ride some bench, a rookie will get injured in week 9 or 10, and Tiki will start and dominate. He will then sign a large 2 year contract in the offseason with a different team and mid-way through the second season... SURPRISE! He will pull a Bretty Favre, snap a picture of his dang-a-lang and retire in shame to some house in Bamblefuck, USA.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yWANGZ-c_QM?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEO. WATCH ONLY IF YOU HAVE A STRONG STOMACH!</span></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br />
</span></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>HELL NO </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">to people eating fecal matter.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am a very large promoter of freedom of speech. In fact, I believe that many of the greatest comics/writers use "curse words" in a way that adds to the scene, character, and/or joke. However, I do believe that there is a fine line between freedom of speech and absurdity. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This Australian girl apparently struggles to walk said fine line, let alone find it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="370" width="450"><param name="movie" value="http://www.liveleak.com/e/1d7_1299259182"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.liveleak.com/e/1d7_1299259182" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" allowscriptaccess="always" width="450" height="370"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">BRAVO</span></b> to crackheads.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I understand that crackheads are typically frowned upon for... well, smoking crack. Though, I think we overlook their best quality; crackheads are amazingly inventive when it comes to finding jobs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let's be real, based on America's shitty job market, at least 10 of my blog readers are probably unemployed. Did any of you unemployed readers ever think once about being thrown 23 feet and 9 inches so that you could pay the electric? I bet not.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DMQFQoOrVM4/TX65LocHDMI/AAAAAAAAACQ/LojZGlGiQLs/s1600/135px-Scrabble_letter_C.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DMQFQoOrVM4/TX65LocHDMI/AAAAAAAAACQ/LojZGlGiQLs/s1600/135px-Scrabble_letter_C.svg.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sVyzU2sYOzU/TX65L_IVeNI/AAAAAAAAACU/moOx_fa61Ck/s1600/135px-Scrabble_letter_O.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sVyzU2sYOzU/TX65L_IVeNI/AAAAAAAAACU/moOx_fa61Ck/s1600/135px-Scrabble_letter_O.svg.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sVyzU2sYOzU/TX65L_IVeNI/AAAAAAAAACU/moOx_fa61Ck/s1600/135px-Scrabble_letter_O.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sVyzU2sYOzU/TX65L_IVeNI/AAAAAAAAACU/moOx_fa61Ck/s1600/135px-Scrabble_letter_O.svg.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FTpgjBBZX8Y/TX65O5-xaaI/AAAAAAAAACY/RcDbEOMFyOk/s1600/DownloadedFile.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FTpgjBBZX8Y/TX65O5-xaaI/AAAAAAAAACY/RcDbEOMFyOk/s1600/DownloadedFile.jpeg" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>HELL NO</b></span> to My Last Name.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Yes, HELL NO to my last name! Why? Well, due to the fact that it is an old, Southern racial slur, I scored 8 points with it while playing Scrabble.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><i>That's great! He scored 8 points with his last name is Scrabble! </i>You may be saying to yourself or a loved one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">And you'd be right to do so because that is a nice perk, but I have taken a great deal of ridicule for my last name since leaving Lake Zurich. Example, last Mother's Day (Fake Holiday... sorry, Mom, if you read this) I had to endure an extra 15 minutes at a Pandora Outlet, while the sales person called up her friend using the store phone's speakerphone to laugh at my name before ringing up the purchase. Her parting words were, "Hahahaha... if you went to my school... your ass would have been beat! Hahahahaha!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Also visit my website: www.billcoonbooks.com</div>Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489048524057376096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593040661636591100.post-76219018418687567772011-03-12T01:48:00.001-06:002011-03-12T01:51:16.121-06:00SWIM UPDATE: Officially International!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Yh_s8QyT6Uw/TXshBw0GlVI/AAAAAAAAACA/n4iiIeLT3l8/s1600/International_Design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Yh_s8QyT6Uw/TXshBw0GlVI/AAAAAAAAACA/n4iiIeLT3l8/s400/International_Design.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is official, <u>SWIM: A Memoir of Survival</u> is now sold Internationally!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Those of you who have visited <a href="http://www.billcoonbooks.com/">my website</a> in the past week may have noticed a new tab entitled, "International Bookstore". The link wasn't 100% functional until Thursday night. After re-tweaking some credit card security settings, the bookstore is now in business. Since opening its doors, 2 books have sold Internationally and 3 have sold domestically. The biggest plus to buying from the bookstore (besides the slightly cheaper shipping [compared to Amazon]) is that I personalize and sign EVERY copy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With all of that being said, I am pleased to announce that the first International copy will be shipped out Monday morning and it should arrive in Wales, UK by next Saturday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All of this would not have been possible without the aid of 3 WONDERFUL charities, which are run by 3 WONDERFUL people:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://brokenheartsbigbend.blogspot.com/">Broken Hearts of the Big Bend</a> - KTC</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://congenital-heart-defects.co.uk/default.aspx">CHD-UK</a> - Hazel</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://donnasdream.co.uk/">Donna's Dream</a> - Az</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Keep tuning in to the blog.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Send me some interesting links (if you have them) by using the e-mail link in the upper right. Another Bravo/Hell No should be out Sunday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And please, by all means, Tweet and Post about the blog in the upper left corner/bar on the bottom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Have a good day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Also visit my website: www.billcoonbooks.com</div>Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489048524057376096noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593040661636591100.post-20795918206844451272011-03-11T11:04:00.001-06:002011-03-12T11:06:29.456-06:00SWIM UPDATE: KINDLE/iPAD/ANDROID READY!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LDXV5dprhXU/TXpUHZB3zFI/AAAAAAAAAB8/vtsjj9MfNQs/s1600/SWIM+KINDLE%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LDXV5dprhXU/TXpUHZB3zFI/AAAAAAAAAB8/vtsjj9MfNQs/s320/SWIM+KINDLE%2521.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ladies and Gentlemen... "SWIM" IS NOW ON KINDLE!!!!!!!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Swim-Memoir-Survival-ebook/dp/B004RIC56I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=books&qid=1299861680&sr=1-1">Click Here</a> to check it out!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The book... I mean... eBook... is also available on iPad, iPhone, and all Android powered phones. To access this function, simply download the Kindle Whispernet app, access the store, and then download the book directly into your phone!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the spirit of eBooks being cheaper than their paperback counterparts, the Kindle edition is currently retailing at $9.99!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hopefully this satisfies the (well over) 70-or-so people who were begging me to release it on this platform.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Like always, thank you to all the readers and fans who helped pushed the book to the level of Kindle-demand.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Have a great one!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Also visit my website: www.billcoonbooks.com</div>Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489048524057376096noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593040661636591100.post-4114840697990518752011-03-06T14:43:00.001-06:002011-03-06T14:59:13.836-06:00BRAVO & HELL NO! 2/27/11 - 3/5/11<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Kbixdl6VjX8/TXM6GOAbU-I/AAAAAAAAABk/3YHrqxjXojE/s1600/BRAVOHELLNO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Kbixdl6VjX8/TXM6GOAbU-I/AAAAAAAAABk/3YHrqxjXojE/s1600/BRAVOHELLNO.jpg" /></a></div><br />
It's time for the first installment of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">BRAVO</span>! & <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">HELL NO</span>! In this segment, I will comment on my 3 favorite things from the week, and the 3 aspects of life that managed to piss me off. Please note, it is very difficult to piss me off, so if something managed to anger me, it is <u>REALLY</u> lame.<br />
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Now, if you happened to have glanced at the date of publication, you may have noticed that I am posting this on a Sunday and not on a Saturday. I know, I know. Technically today is the start of a whole new week. In all honesty, though this form of post has a "weekly" vibe to it, I am becoming progressively worse with deadlines, so for the sake of this blog, just pretend today is Saturday.<br />
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Now, without further ado... BRAVO! & HELL NO!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">BRAVO </span>to this video.<br />
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Not so much to Charlie Sheen, but to these beautiful 2 seconds. I kid you not when I say that I spent <i>easily </i>20 minutes of my life watching this video on repeat. That's right, do the math... triple digit views on this one. Though, I must say, in regards to Charlie Sheen as a person... I <i>kiiiiinda</i> like him more now after watching his 20/20 interview. Yah, he's crazy. But I challenge you to live in Chicago, ride the CTA 2-4 times a day, and then tell me just how crazy Charlie Sheen really is. I'm not condoning his crack rock parties, hooker meet-ups, or his "tiger blood," but I must say, in comparison to other celebs... he's fucking nuts. In comparison to society... Charlie Sheen could run for Senate.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">HELL NO</span> to the entire premise of this movie.<br />
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Since I first saw this trailer while watching American Idol on Tuesday (<i>What!? Bill, you watch American Idol? Seriously?</i> Yah, I do. And I'm currently rooting for<a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.pia-toscano.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/pia-toscano-04.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.pia-toscano.com/pia-toscano-photos-before-american-idol/&usg=__tEpIJgnvHVNMdegdeNVBc0DS1lk=&h=677&w=450&sz=57&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=510mPF6HeFTmsM:&tbnh=122&tbnw=101&ei=WENzTfXbLobBtgeXzJyNCQ&prev=/images%3Fq%3Damerican%2Bidol%2Bpia%2Btoscano%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Den%26biw%3D1440%26bih%3D684%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C61&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=1218&vpy=320&dur=845&hovh=275&hovw=183&tx=140&ty=209&oei=WENzTfXbLobBtgeXzJyNCQ&page=1&ndsp=35&ved=1t:429,r:34,s:0&biw=1440&bih=684"> Pia Toscano</a> because she is insanely hot). Anyway, every time I saw this trailer for <u>Beastly</u>, I could not help but say out loud, "Really? That's easily the dumbest movie plot I have seen since since <u><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Kh5jw6L34w&feature=related">G-Force</a></u>" Fortunately, I am not the only one to feel this way. During this weekend's episode of SNL, <a href="http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/beastly/1311376/">Miley Cyrus and Andy Samberg spoofed the movie beautifully.</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UpWkmVRneE4/TXNIZcq9quI/AAAAAAAAABo/4V17O2hKy6I/s1600/Truth-Himself.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UpWkmVRneE4/TXNIZcq9quI/AAAAAAAAABo/4V17O2hKy6I/s320/Truth-Himself.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="81" width="100%"><param name="movie" value="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F7774478&show_comments=true&color=00cfff"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed allowscriptaccess="always" height="81" src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F7774478&show_comments=true&color=00cfff" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="100%"></embed></object><a href="http://soundcloud.com/nickraymondg/truth-himself-one-song">Truth Himself - One Song</a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">BRAVO</span> to rapper, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/truthhimself">Truth Himself</a>.<br />
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In my opinion, this guy is <u>one of the</u>, if not, <u>THE</u> best unsigned rapper out there right now. One of the biggest selling points for me on this guy is the fact that he actually has lyrics that mean something. In today's music scene, lyrical content is missing in easily 90% of music and is very hard to come by. For this, Truth Himself, I salute you.<br />
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I have provided a SoundCloud link to his track, "One Song". Give it a listen, you won't regret it...<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Qd_ENSdTcQU/TXPel_453BI/AAAAAAAAABs/TXervHEZ5Rk/s1600/109767576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Qd_ENSdTcQU/TXPel_453BI/AAAAAAAAABs/TXervHEZ5Rk/s320/109767576.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mKH-5Tuz9-4/TXPemB1LBrI/AAAAAAAAABw/PthJIXj_VG8/s1600/109767775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mKH-5Tuz9-4/TXPemB1LBrI/AAAAAAAAABw/PthJIXj_VG8/s320/109767775.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-z6dDWMniCak/TXPemluv39I/AAAAAAAAAB0/Ip8Of7_-ngk/s1600/109767791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-z6dDWMniCak/TXPemluv39I/AAAAAAAAAB0/Ip8Of7_-ngk/s320/109767791.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(Taken at a fashion show in Paris, France on 3/4/11)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">HELL NO</span> to the world of fashion.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">By no means do I consider myself to be a stylist, a fashionista, or even a TJ Maxxinista, but even I know this is not hot, attractive, nor will this style ever catch on in the states.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Personally, I feel bad for these girls. I can't help wonder what is going through their mind as they strut the catwalk looking like they just came from the deleted scenes of <u><a href="http://www.foxsearchlight.com/blackswan/">Black Swan</a></u>. Then again, maybe they love it. Like I said, I am the furthest thing from a style expert, so if I am wrong, I'd consider this a warning, ladies. Next season, shit-stain makeup and Roseanne Barr ass may be the new trend.</div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DlRCkyU2lh4?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="425"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(To see more videos and the entire campaign, </span><a href="http://morebirthdays.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">click here.</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">BRAVO</span> to the American Cancer Society's "More Birthdays" Campaign.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was actually introduced to this campaign back in December in my Ad Copy class at Columbia. However, it wasn't until the ad ran during the Oscars that I remembered how awesome it was. It is so incredibly intelligent. They took a topic that would typically buzzkill anything and did a complete 180. Instead of talking about how many people are dying from cancer, they talk about the number of people who are living due to cancer research and donations. Atop of that, they created a website where you can buy wrapping paper that is designed by the participating artists, and they created little videos that are guaranteed to go viral through social networking sites. Pure genius.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MQpWNt8NbP8/TXPp5TLAkmI/AAAAAAAAAB4/XmqlTJPRoB0/s1600/stk108656cor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MQpWNt8NbP8/TXPp5TLAkmI/AAAAAAAAAB4/XmqlTJPRoB0/s200/stk108656cor.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Finally...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">HELL NO</span> to the state of Wisconsin's Legislature!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">State Sen. Mary Lazich and State Rep. Mark Honadel drafted a bill this past week that would prohibit anyone from making a prank call, modulating their voice, and/or using a service to modify their Caller I.D. output name.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Many are speculating that this new bill is a response to Governor Walker spilling the beans on tax payers money to a blogger <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/24/governor-walker-prank-call-msnbc_n_827494.html">who was pretending to be a Billionaire lobbyist.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">However, I feel as though I need to speak on the behalf of a large group of people who are going to be affected and devastated by this bill... Wisconsin citizens with shitty names.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Can you imagine how many noble, tax paying citizens of Wisconsin are going to be inconvenienced by this bill? The Wisco DMVs are sure to be flooded with men and woman alike named Hugh Jass, Mike Rotch, Ivanna Havesechs, Dick Burnz, I.P. Freely, A. Nellsex, Ima P. Ness, E. Rex Sean, Harry A. Nuis, and countless other.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">This blog has many Wisconsinites following it. Because of this, I urge you all to <a href="https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml">CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSMAN</a> and beg that they repeal this vote.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">If not for Clint Torres, than at least for the children.</div><br />
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Also visit my website: www.billcoonbooks.com</div>Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489048524057376096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593040661636591100.post-84411541308043654362011-03-05T22:28:00.001-06:002011-03-06T01:35:59.793-06:00The Real World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bkqZW5m1uC4/TWwJZ2c9pSI/AAAAAAAAABg/PxOjB0A3w7E/s1600/Picture+12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bkqZW5m1uC4/TWwJZ2c9pSI/AAAAAAAAABg/PxOjB0A3w7E/s320/Picture+12.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">PART II:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Am I moving on to round 2 of the Real World auditions? I have absolutely no idea. They told everyone that they would call within 24 hours if they were interested. The next round would be an interview over Skype with the head Producers in (presumably) L.A.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If I do receive the call, I will go. However, if I don't... I won't be too upset. Simply because 90% of the individuals who I interviewed with were CRAAAAZZZZY!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I arrived around 4:00 PM (the last interviewees arrived at 4:30 PM). I was handed a 3-page form and asked to answer each question. The questions were what I expected:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Do you do drugs?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Have you ever been incarcerated?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What is your relationship like with your family? Describe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What was your most embarrassing moment?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Why do you want to be on the Real World?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How heavily do you drink?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Are you in a relationship? If so, how strong is the relationship? Where does it stand?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Do you have children?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Have you ever received a DUI?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What are you passionate about?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What is your current job?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Do you plan on pursuing your career or passion while on the Real World?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What would you friends say about you? What is your best trait? Your worst?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What do you look for in a significant other?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">... that's all I can remember...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I answered every question (after adding a fictional semi-dramatic, good-for-tv-esk response, then headed into a waiting area of about 100 people. [Supposedly the line was triple that number in the morning]).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">From there a charismatic 30-something year-old man took us to a large oval table and asked us the same questions, but he delved further into each one after our initial response.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is what brings me to the reason why I would not mind moving on...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of the guys in my group, Craig, told a 5 minute-long story about a time when he really needed to piss while road tripping by himself. As opposed to pulling over, Craig grabbed a beer bottle that he had just polished off (while driving) and began to urinate into it like Jim Carrey in Dumb & Dumber. As he was peeing, he began to speed and was pulled over by a cop. The cop (supposedly) not only saw him peeing into an open beer bottle, but Craig had to keep peeing, so he pissed all over the steering wheel, gas pedal, and his own leg... the cop watched it all.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The other person in my group was named Maria. We were asked to go in a circle and say one word to describe ourselves. After a series of responses such as, "Fun, Outgoing, Relaxed, Carefree, and Exciting," Maria replied, "Umm... honestly, I would say, 'Mean Bitch'." Everyone stared at each other baffled.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Okay..." the prompter replied. We answered a couple more simple questions before being sent home and told to expect a call from an 8-1-8 area coded number.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If this Real World plot line dies on this blog, just assume that I was not asked to proceed to the Skype round. Also, consider me lucky that I will not be living in a house for 3-4 months with Craig and Maria.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Also visit my website: www.billcoonbooks.com</div>Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489048524057376096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593040661636591100.post-43061353178899288072011-03-02T03:37:00.000-06:002011-03-02T03:37:36.562-06:00This is a blog post, but it is more of a foreshadow: The Real World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bkqZW5m1uC4/TWwJZ2c9pSI/AAAAAAAAABg/PxOjB0A3w7E/s1600/Picture+12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bkqZW5m1uC4/TWwJZ2c9pSI/AAAAAAAAABg/PxOjB0A3w7E/s320/Picture+12.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">About 6 months ago I jokingly applied for "MTV's The Real World." Why? Well, why not?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The audition sign-up page on MTV.com was pretty straightforward. It explained how the first round of auditions were to be performed online. Applicants had to submit 3-4 pictures of themselves and type a 7-10 sentence paragraph that answered: "What makes you unique?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I quickly typed a paragraph, chose 3 pictures from Facebook, and submitted the application.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fast forward to last Wednesday. I was boarding the Harrison red line when my cell phone went off and I had received an e-mail from "MTV Productions." Because my application to the Real World wasn't very serious, I had forgotten that I had even applied, so you can only imagine my face when I opened the e-mail to find the above header and a "VIP Pass To Cut The Line". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Long story short, I have an audition on Saturday. The real blog post will come then when I dissect the auditioning process. I just thought that I would tease a future, more interesting post. I mean, shit, what would an author's blog be without a little foreshadowing, right?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br />
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Also visit my website: www.billcoonbooks.com</div>Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489048524057376096noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593040661636591100.post-56440806870481867632011-02-27T22:12:00.002-06:002011-02-28T14:39:15.059-06:00Welcome To The NEW BILLness BlogThank you to everyone who has decided to switch over and follow this blog. It will be a little different, though. It will be much more colorful and (hopefully) more enjoyable for all.<br />
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</div><div> I decided to begin from scratch for 3 reasons:<br />
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</div><div>1. <b>The last blog was beginning to look sloppy</b>. I couldn't format it with ease. In my opinion, it was a slight eyesore.</div><div><br />
</div><div>2. <b>BillCoonBooks.com is for <u>SWIM</u> and SWIM's readers.</b> It is not for my thoughts and little jokes. I needed a slightly more creative outlet, and I believe I found it.</div><div><br />
</div><div>As mentioned, these posts will be different. Less censored. Very SWIM-esk. They will all be random, extremely random. I have ideas, but I am not sure how it will all piece together quite yet. I will still post updates regarding SWIM, but I will also write about everything and anything. Basically, I am hoping to make this an extension of my Facebook wall––an extension of an extension in a way... if that makes sense?<br />
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3. <b>I want to interact with my readers.</b> Yeah, Facebook is the best for that, but surprisingly, not everyone has Facebook. I hope you all interact. Tweet about this page (upper right hand corner), Like the page (again, upper right hand corner), and send me links about ANYTHING! (I am not telling you where that one is. Where's Waldo-style).<br />
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Another great feature is that you can now <u>comment on posts</u> (though I enjoyed e-mail feedback, this is MUCH easier for me)!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Thank you for your time. Now without further ado... I give you the new and improved, BILLness Blog.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Enjoy!</div><div><br />
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</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Also visit my website: www.billcoonbooks.com</div>Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14489048524057376096noreply@blogger.com0