Maximizing Your Happiness Meter

[Happy Faces by Alice Herden -- LEGAL USE OF THIS PHOTO LICENSED AND SECURED VIA DREAMSTIME - August 2014]

Lately, I’m confronting the topic of happiness in my life. I’m a fortunate person; my opportunities are many and I have wonderful people in my life who care about me.

That being said, I want to maximize the “happiness meter” in my life.

How, you ask?

First, let’s consider my diet. I control my calorie intake by using MyFitnessPal, which is a wonderful tool that helps a person monitor their calories to meet their health and weight goals. Currently, I’m happy to announce that I’m in maintenance mode. My current weight is healthy for me, including a healthy body mass index (BMI). However, living in maintenance mode doesn’t mean that I can eat what I want, when I want. As such, when I want to indulge in gratuitous calories, I want to consume the BEST and MOST TASTY foods for the calories consumed. I don’t want to waste them on any old donut; I want to select higher-quality tasty foods that maximize my happiness meter. Last night, that included a large slice of chocolate pie. At first, I thought it was supposed to be chocolate cream, though it turned out to be chocolate meringue. *insert sad expression* I don’t like meringue, so I only ate the crust and the chocolate part. While the chocolate portion tasted okay, my happiness meter wasn’t exactly pegged over my selection.

That’s only one example, of course, but you probably see where I’m going with this.

Many aspects of our life are finite, chiefly among them, our life span. So, when I have some discretionary time available to me, I want to expend the moments via the most satisfying manner possible. That is, I want to maximize my happiness meter.

Recently, I decided that I want to read a novel…someone else’s! I carefully perused my to-be-read (TBR) list and researched my top three selections on both Goodreads and Amazon. Finally, I downloaded The Name of the Wind, the first book in the Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss. I’m staring it today, in fact. Therefore, my happiness meter is currently in flux. I’ll let you know how that turns out.

Do you have a happiness meter? If so, what satisfying “item” pegged it for you most recently?

And, of course, what are you reading right now?

I want to know, so please leave a comment for me!

Oh, and my latest YouTube video for the week of October 11th is going live by tonight, so please check it out! My YouTube videos are at CLICK HERE.

Until later, enjoy life; be kind to those around you, and Happy Reading! Peace.

Getting Ready for Halloween!

(Halloween Picture -- PHOTO COPYRIGHT 2015 BY JAZ PRIMO)

Can you feel it in the air? The Halloween spirit is alive and well. At my college office, we’re like busy bees collecting Halloween décor items, and we’re decorating as soon as we have new things in hand. Take a look below at what we’re already set up.  It’s awesome! (The photo at the top of this blog post is a picture that's just been hand-made and is hanging in my main office area. Thanks to Crystal for that!)

(Halloween Decorations #1 -- PHOTO COPYRIGHT 2015 BY JAZ PRIMO)

(Halloween Decor #2 -- PHOTO COPYRIGHT 2015 BY JAZ PRIMO)

 I even have some small items on my office desk that bolster my cheerful Halloween spirit. The autumn has FINALLY arrived around here and I couldn’t be happier. Below you can see a sample of the beautiful scenery around my college campus. It was such an amazing day when I took this photo late last week!

(Rose State Campus -- PHOTO COPYRIGHT 2015 BY JAZ PRIMO)

 Recently, I noticed that there is a place on the web where you can create a Peanuts cartoon character in your own image. They’re promoting the upcoming Peanuts movie that’s coming out in November, which I can’t wait to see because I’ve been a Charlie Brown fan since I was a kid. There was always something so identifiable about Peanuts that resonates deeply inside of me. Every holiday has a corresponding Peanuts animated feature to help bring us into the mood. I’m watching the Halloween special very soon, in fact!

Below you can see how I’d look as a Peanuts character. If you’d like to try one out for yourself, CLICK HERE .

(Jaz as a Peanuts Character -- Sort of like a Doctor Jaz Photo!)

 Finally, my latest YouTube video for the week of October 4th is up and ready for your viewing! Watch it by CLICKING HERE . Be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you think. I talk about the pending Halloween season, my upcoming Halloween costume, some of my past costumes, and my review of two popular TV shows in a segment that I’m calling “Like It or Spike It.”

Until later, enjoy life; be kind to those around you, and Happy Reading! Peace.

What’s On Your Fall Must-Watch List?

[LEGAL USE OF THIS PHOTO LICENSED AND SECURED VIA DREAMSTIME - July 2014 – Photo by Fedor Patrakov]

Autumn has arrived, and yet, it was just Labor Day only a handful of days ago. Where does the time go?

I know where some of it has gone. During the weekend of September 18 – 20, I attended the annual writers’ conference at Rose State College. My lovely publicist, Vicki Rose, flew down to attend the event with me. Both of us had a marvelous time, and I met a number of wonderful authors, both previously-published and aspiring. On top of that, all four of my session presentations were successful, and I hope that the materials I presented were helpful to the attendees. Between William Martin, Mel Odom, and William Bernhardt, there were more than enough talented authors present for attendees to glean helpful insights into writing and publishing.

Aside from the writers’ conference, I’m engaged in a number of diversions and projects. For one, I’m actively working to respond to the recommendations and edits from my editor, Laura, on my upcoming Bringer Unleashed, which is still scheduled for a November release date. For another, the season premieres for a litany of television shows has begun in earnest. Personal enjoyment aside, it’s important for artists to rejuvenate and fill their creative wells, which TV shows are great at stimulating inside me.

Here’s a number of the MUST-WATCH television shows that I’m dedicating my viewing hours to:

Arrow

The Bastard Executioner

Big Bang Theory

Castle

Deadliest Catch

Doctor Who

Dominion

The Flash

Gordon Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares

Grimm

Hell's Kitchen

Heroes Reborn

Last Week with John Oliver

Legends of Tomorrow

Lost Girl

Marvel's Agents of Shield

Masterchef

The Muppets

Star Wars Rebels

Supergirl

The Vampire Diaries

The Walking Dead

Which MUST-WATCH programs are on you watch list?

In addition, daytime career and after-hours endeavors as a history professor have kept me very busy. On the topic of teaching, I have a really good complement of history students this semester. However, the jury’s still out on whether or not they’ll be interested in receiving extra credit for coming to class in costumes on Wednesday, October 28th. That will be an excellent litmus test on how awesome they are. We’ll see…

Another endeavor that I’m putting energy into is my official YouTube Channel at CLICK HERE. There's already 27 subscribers, but I am anxious to see that number grow, so please sign up now.

My Official Jaz Primo Videos playlist is at CLICK HERE. If you haven’t watched my latest YouTube video for the week of September 20th, please watch it now at CLICK HERE.

Until later, enjoy life; be kind to those around you, and Happy Reading! Peace.

A Book Cover Reveal and More!

Hello and welcome to what’s already the end of summer. Honestly, where does the time go?

Since my last blog post, I’ve released the cover image for Bringer Unleashed, the second book in my Logan Bringer urban fantasy series. Did you receive the newsletter notification that went out last Wednesday, August 12th? If not, you should sign up at the right-hand side of this screen. It will take just a moment or two and then you’ll receive the earliest notice of new developments, including new book releases, cover reveals, and other special promotions reserved for my newsletter subscribers.

Below is the new cover image for Bringer Unleashed. The cover was done by Brandon Acree, the person who’s responsible for the eye-catching font layouts on all of my books. The novel is tentatively scheduled for release this November.

What do you think about the new cover?

Meanwhile, things have been very busy for me the past couple of weeks. Not only am I working on no less than FOUR session presentations for a writing conference (being held on Rose State College campus the weekend of September 18-20), but I’m also finalizing my teaching materials for students enrolled in my U.S. History to 1877 course that starts this Monday, August 17th. I haven’t taught since the spring, and I’m eager to get back into the classroom to talk about history again. I’m a relatively shy person, but I do enjoy talking to people about topics such as history, as well as creative writing and publishing.

Speaking of publishing, the four topics that I’m presenting at the September writing conference are titled as follows:

Stocking the Virtual Shelves and Pricing Your Indie Book

Where’s My Fortune? Publishing Income at Realistic Levels

Indie Issues: Fan Fiction, Subscription Services, Crowd-Sourced Books and Much More

Formatting Your Work for eBook & Print-on-Demand

Wow, when you list them out like that, it looks like there’s a lot of material to cover. I’ve completed the presentations for the first two and am actively working on the third. There are so many “indie issues” to touch on that I’m afraid I’m just going to have to select the primary ones and then take questions from the audience for other topics in the hope that I can provide the highest quality of information in the short, one-hour time slot allotted.

What do you think are the most important indie author issues today? Leave me a comment or email me at jaz@jazprimo.com with your topic ideas. I’m curious to read what you think. Thanks! Oh, and don’t forget to let me know how you like the new Bringer Unleashed cover art, too.

Okay, I had better get back to working on these presentations. Enjoy your upcoming week!

Until later, enjoy life; be kind to those around you, and Happy Reading! Peace.

Ant-Man…Need I Say More?

Have you seen the new superhero Ant-Man movie yet?

(As opposed to the old Ant-Man movie…which, yeah, there wasn’t one.)

If haven’t seen the film yet, you should. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Ant-Man was the perfect example of Marvel at its best.

I was never an avid follower of Ant-Man during my comic book phase as a kid, but I had heard of him. Let’s be honest, though cute-sounding, his name doesn’t inspire visions of daring heroic feats. Rather, you think of a small guy running around, which frankly “ant” the sort of thing that ranks up there with the powers of the other Avengers. So, imagine my complete and utter surprise when I found that this film was among one of the best, most enjoyable, superhero films that I have seen in many years. I became an immediate Ant-Man fan! (By the way, I get tickled over how that sounds when you say it over and over again: Ant-Man fan, Ant-Man fan, Ant-Man fan!)

To avoid spoilers for those of you who haven’t seen the movie yet, I’ll keep my comments and observations very general in nature. Maybe I’ll add a spoiler-inclusive video in my YouTube channel sometime soon for my other opinions and insights. Moving on…

Paul Rudd portrays Ant-Man.

Part of the enjoyment of the film is the impeccable casting of the main characters. Paul Rudd is, by far, the most wonderful selection to represent Scott Lang, aka Ant-Man. (Granted, Rudd is technically portraying the second incarnation of Ant-Man, following the original by Hank Pym, but let’s not split hairs here.) Nevertheless, I’ve been an ardent fan of Paul Rudd and his work for many, many years. He’s like the perfect “everyman” which many of you know is the type of hero reflected with Caleb, the human protagonist from my Sunset Vampire series.

Hell, I’m an everyman sort of person in real life, so what’s not to love about Paul Rudd as Ant-Man? Rudd embodies the intelligent sort of nice guy who’s trying to turn his life around and take an active role in his young daughter’s life. Oh, and the little girl who portrays his daughter Cassie in the movie, young actress Abby Ryder Fortson, is SO CUTE and adorable!

Michael Pena portrays a humorous character named Luis in the Ant-Man film.

The added humor interjected by supporting actor, Michael Pena, adds laughs to numerous moments in the movie and providing a nice foil to Paul Rudd’s more subtle, tongue-in-cheek situational humor and dialogue.

 The movie Ant-Man explores father-daughter relationships.

The film does a good job of presenting the primary characters and their backstories to viewers who have no knowledge of Ant-Man or his lore in comic history. To its credit, the central story doesn’t rely heavily on science fiction themes and superheroes/villains, but rather emphasizes the personal challenges and very human-relatable relationship struggles between the central characters. The movie has a great underlying theme about father-daughter relationships that plays well among multiple characters and helps the audience to empathize with them. Honestly, that sort of blew me away because I wasn’t expecting the movie to resonate with me at such an emotional level. This sort of approach gives me hope that Hollywood is FINALLY starting to present basic human interest subplots and themes in ways that mass audiences can appreciate and easily digest, while also generously heaping on the superhero/villain conflicts that traditional comic fanboys and fangirls are expecting. Now I’m looking to DC Comics and wondering if they can credibly approach what Marvel Studios is already perfecting. While we may see something hopeful next year with Batman v Superman, I don’t expect much in the human relations category from the Suicide Squad film that follows. We’ll see.

Who is Ant-Man?

So, back to the Ant-Man movie. Who is Ant-Man? Well, in briefest form, Ant-Man is a human wearing a special suit that uses a secret chemical formula to shrink him down to much smaller form (essentially, insect sized), yet imbuing him with 20 times (or more) his normal strength, as its all compacted into a smaller area. There’s also technology in the helmet that permits him to interact with ants (of all subspecies and varieties) to assist him with his missions. I know that doesn’t sound impressive, but believe me, it’s quite formidable when you see how it’s married together on the big screen. I’m very impressed, and it makes logical sense…from a purely fantastical, science-fictiony perspective.

Paul Rudd and Michael Douglas in the Ant-Man film.

One of the things I particularly enjoyed about the film was that it posed the question, “Do you think that everyone deserves a second chance?” The film explored the idea of redemption, which I found as a refreshing undercurrent that guided the central characters. It’s a topic that doesn’t regularly get explored in superhero films in a manner that the average person can relate to. There’s a sincere quality to the way it’s handled in Ant-Man that’s both reassuring and realistic.

Overall, I give the film my whole-hearted endorsement. It’s a 10 out of 10, and also a film that I eagerly intend to add to my home movie collection. Moreover, stay until the FINAL credits finish rolling to not only gain insight into where the Ant-Man storyline is continuing, but also get a brief sneak-peek into next year’s Captain America: Civil War movie.

That’s all for now, but leave me a comment telling me if you’re already an Ant-Man fan, and/or what you thought of the movie. Until next time, enjoy life; be kind to those around you, and Happy Reading! Peace.

Fangs for the Memories…

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 7

Well, it’s over.

I’ve completed the entire Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series. I just finished season 7 a few days ago, and I have to say, it’s one of the all-time, best-quality television series in history! Not only was the cast of actors exemplary in representing their characters, but Joss Whedon is a genius who produced episodes with themes classically relevant to the actual everyday problems faced by real people, though with a decidedly satisfying dose of mysticism, pop culture, and pure fantasy. I feel so lame for having waited an additional 12 years to catch up with everyone else! Now I see precisely what my friend, Shannon, had been preaching to me about for YEARS. My apologies for being so late to the party, Shannon. Oh, and…you were SO RIGHT!!

The Scooby Gang from Buffy the Vampire Slayer

I felt immense loss when the credits rolled at the end of the final episode, as if an old friend were moving away forever. I kept wanting to know MORE about where the self-proclaimed “Scooby Gang” characters were headed in their lives, as well as how they reconciled their lingering personal challenges.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: "Once More, With Feeling" Episode

Looking back I have to say that my favorite Buffy episode was “Once More, With Feeling” from season 6. That was one of the best TV episodes that I have ever seen! And while I’m not even a big fan of musicals, it made my list of Top-3 all-time favorite musicals, too. OMG, I immediately went out to iTunes and purchased the album, which has since been replayed again and again on my iPhone. I’m a shameless fan-boy for all things Buffy now.

Angel TV Series

However, I was also smitten with the companion series, Angel, which I have watched intermittently throughout my Buffy journey. It’s very good, as well, and it was thoroughly enjoyable to see ex-Buffy regulars appear on the Angel series. I’m currently over halfway finished with season 5, and it’s VERY different in its setting. As in BTVS, the storylines are thoughtful, often emotional, often humorous, and highly entertaining. If anything, it continues my connection of “new” material from the Buffy universe (albeit, more than ten years AFTER the series completion!). Once again, better late than never.

Which TV series were you, or are you, completely addicted to?

Until later, enjoy life; be kind to those around you, and Happy Reading! Peace.

Playing With Cats

Cats help reduce your stress level!

Well, actually, while watching videos of cats playing can actually lower your stress level, sometimes your stress levels can increase by owning a cat. If you’re a cat owner, you know what I’m talking about. Those cuddly bundles of fur can also be real ass-monkeys when they want to be, can’t they?

Recently, I purchased some cat toys on Amazon for Tabby from a company called Equipt4, LLC. I bought two Fish Teasers with Wand and two Feather Teasers with Wand. They were packaged very nicely together and wand assembly was a cinch. Unlike other cat wands, these have a durable string attached and there are handy fishing-style leader clips so that you can easily change out the teaser lures for your kitty. The lures are well-constructed, durable, and visually appealing. And the ensuing wand action? Amazing!

(Cat Toys -- PHOTO COPYRIGHT 2015 BY JAZ PRIMO)

The results were fantastic. Tabby immediately took to them immediately and never seems to tire of them. In fact, she frequently comes begging to me to get them out so that she can leap to and fro through the air trying to catch the lures. This is the most and best exercise Tabby has had since becoming addicted to chasing the red laser dot around the house. (I love those laser pointers, as I can perch on the couch watching television while effortlessly keeping my kitty amused.)

All in all, my latest cat amusements are a real hit, and I highly recommend them to anyone who has cats. They’re priced very affordably, too. I’ve included the purchase links below if you’re interested.

Fish Teasers: http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LZU8EDE?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

Feather Teasers: http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LZUCIL8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

What fun toys does your cat enjoy? Leave me a comment.

In the meantime, enjoy life; be kind to those around you, and Happy Reading! Peace.

Important News to Share! And it’s novel timing…

It’s wonderful seeing you again!

I have important and exciting news to share.

The 5th book in my paranormal romance Sunset Vampire series, SUNSET RISING, is being released on Tuesday, July 14, 2015, and it’s NOW available for pre-order in eBook format on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Additional purchase links are forthcoming, which will be posted on my books page at http://www.jazprimo.com/books/ located beneath the Sunset Rising description section. I’m confident you’re going to love my newest installment in the series!

Please help me spread the word about Sunset Rising by sharing the pre-order link with others. I genuinely appreciate your kind assistance.

 In addition, I have equally-exciting news about the 2nd book in my Logan Bringer urban fantasy series. BRINGER UNLEASHED will go to my editor, Laura, in July. The novel is tentatively scheduled for release this fall, just in time for the holidays. The novel has truly been a labor of love for me during the past two years, and I’m very happy with the completed manuscript. The newest installment picks up within weeks of the events from the first book, and quickly immerses you into Logan’s and Agent Sanders’ countdown to uncover the source of the terrorist threats and thwart them. The stakes have definitely been raised.

Please stay tuned for news regarding the upcoming cover reveal for Bringer Unleashed, as well as pre-order opportunities.

In order to receive advanced information about cover reveals, novel releases, and special giveaways and discounts, please sign up for my newsletter using the entry form located on the lower right-hand side of this webpage. Just scroll down until you see the entry form and enter your email address and your name. Simply click Submit and you’ll receive a signup confirmation email for verification. Then you’re all set!

Speaking of novels, how is your summer reading coming along? I hope that Sunset Rising made your list because its release is only a few weeks away. Stay tuned for a blog update on how my summer reading is coming along, as well.

In the meantime, enjoy life; be kind to those around you, and Happy Reading! Peace.