Count Your Blessings Before They Hatch

I remember the days of yore. Yesterday, the Internet in our corporate apartment was slower than a two-legged dog crawling and yipping it's way through fields of dial-up molasses.

Today the Internet is deader than a used pigeon in a Monty Python sketch, but with less voom. I am writing this post from my phone. Yes, I am that dedicated/can't sleep.

The good news is the smoke detectiveator thingy no go Chirp! no more. Couldn't find a 9 volt at Wal-Mart, but they do happen to stock baseball bats. Handy!

The Tarve came out with a book today. It's the most awesome thing ever I assume since I haven't read it yet. I would give you a link but that seems like work on a phone, even if Steve iCreate Jobs made it. Go to tylertarver.com.

Have you read Jon Acuff's book, Quitter? I'm on my second time through. Doing the audio book this time since he adds extra stuff to the audio versions of his books. It's what I read when I want to feel like I could change the world and actually accomplish something. Usually I just accomplish reading the book, but I feel like a champ while doing so.

This is the part of the post where I end by asking a question that makes you want to leave a comment. Tell me stuff!

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And the Winner Is...

So I wrote down all the names on sticky notes, folded them and tossed them in my work bag.

Then I closed my eyes and picked a name.

And the winner is...

The dry cleaners!

Perhaps I should have cleaned out my bag before beginning.

So I found a pot here in the office. I discarded the plant. In someone else's trash can, of course.

Then I tossed in the names.

I shook the pot.

I swirled the pot.

I jumped up and down.

I closed my eyes and picked out a name.

And the real winner is...

Matt!

Congratulations, Matt. Your copy of Jon Acuff's Quitter is on its way.


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Win a Copy of Jon Acuff's Quitter!

Jon Acuff delivers a masterpiece with his latest book, Quitter. You can read my review of it here.

The bad news: Amazon is sold out.

The good news: I'm giving a copy away.

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post telling us:

1. Your name
2. What you do for a living
3. What your dream job is
4. What you hope to get out of reading Quitter.

See you in the comments!




Contest closes 5/9/2011.

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My Review of Jon Acuff's Quitter

I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of Jon Acuff's new book, Quitter. Jon probably meant to send it to someone else. He's likely better at writing than addressing packages.

Quitter is about how our generation is afraid to chase our dreams. We settle for dead-end jobs and shattered hopes. We stick with the safe and familiar and watch our lives slip away before our eyes out of fear.

But what if you could chase your dream responsibly? What if you didn't have to quit your day job and leave your family destitute? What if you could have fun doing what you love and still pay your bills?

Jon details his own journey from a job-hopping serial quitter to landing his dream job. He walks through the ups and downs, the opportunities and challenges.

There's great advice on time management and priorities. For instance, you can't steal time from your wife and kids, but you can steal it from the TV. This hits home with me, because I never want to chase my writing dreams at the expense of my marriage.

Jon gives insight into making the most of your current situation, using it to hone your skills as you start down the path that will lead to your dream job.

This isn't a one-size-fits-all miracle cure. This isn't a 'follow your heart and all your dreams will come true' fluff-fest. This is about hard work and taking calculated risks.

Even if you're not dreaming of leaving your day job for your dream job, you'll like this book if you like Jon's writing. If you're already a fan of Jon's humor and style, then you'll really like Quitter as it's pure, vintage Acuff. If you're not, then stop reading my blog and go read something funny!

I highly, highly recommend Quitter.


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