Rodman an Ambassador of Peace?

Who would have thought that Dennis Rodman would be an ambassador of peace?

Recent news reports state that Rodman met with North Korean leader, Kim Jong-Un, on Thursday – where they ate and drank at the palace.  Rodman reportedly told Leader Kim that they were now friends for life.  It sounded as if there was extensive drinking involved since the HBO crew was apparently ‘wasted’. 

Not sure if it was Rodman or the liquor that made this trip ‘successful’, but maybe we could try sending him to Iran to help with tensions there?

Vacation Hot Spot!

Looking for an exotic get away for your summer vacation?  Apparently, you need to look no further!  Reports are that North Korea may be on the rise as the next hot spot.  Look out Tahiti, you have competition.  On a serious note, it is reported that there has been a 19% increase in tourism to the isolated nation.  However, as an American tourist there are a few things to keep in mind -

  1) There isn't a U.S. Embassy, so be sure to inform China or Japan of your visit

2)  VISA into North Korea will cost approximately $65 and takes a few weeks to process

3)  All Americans must enter through China and take a flight out straight into Beijing

Don't look for me there this summer - that isn't on my bucket list!  You can find me on the beach in Bora Bora or the castles in Ireland.  Happy Trails!  

Dennis Rodman in North Korea?

Can the world get any weirder?  North Korea has allowed Dennis Rodman (NBA basketball star) to come into their isolated county as an ambassador for sports.  Kim Jong-Un is apparently, a Chicago Bulls fan, where Rodman is known for his winning streak with the team back in the 1990’s.  Apparently HBO is filming a show to include Rodman, three of the Harlem Globetrotters, and a VICE correspondent in the country.  I find it odd that they would allow Rodman and his flamboyant hair and piercings into the country with their recent crackdown on hairstyles, but as always, this is a nation that is unpredictable at best.  

State Approved Hair?

That crazy North Korean tyrant is at it again.  The North has issued 18 haircuts that are considered ‘approved’ by the state.  Looks like unmarried women are stuck with shorter cuts and men, well, yours aren't much better.  Young men are allowed a whopping 5 cm in length and, if you are a little more ‘seasoned’, well, they are a little more lenient and allow 7 cm.  Even more amusing?  North Koreans are banned from styling their hair like the late leader Kim Jong-il.  I find it hard to believe anyone would want to emulate the hairdo of a goofy-haired, and dead, tyrant – but what do I know?

Literary Yoga??

Literary Yoga?

One of the most difficult things for me is to decide how to find balance.  Do I work on writing my next novel?  Do I spend time with my family?  Do I work on social media?  Or videos, covers, agents, even strange new tan lines?  Since I still love my day job, I’ve got to find ways to successfully divide my time between the things I have to do and the things I’d like to do. 

In my humblish opinion, being successful in today’s publishing world is much different and more complex than any other time in history.  It isn’t necessarily more difficult, as there are so many more venues to showcase authors, but the sheer numbers of authors, publishers, and sites sometimes make it more difficult to be noticed or ‘found’.  While I’ve had decent success as an Indie writer, my goal has always been to become a well-recognized author around the world.  As the party planners for the ‘Historically Famous Author’ parties don’t necessarily care whether my wife and grandmother really love my work, it is important to have a successful platform to build upon. 

So, is it more important to work on my writing, my platform, my family, or my mastery of the Fallen Dog yoga positions?  I wish I could say that I use every moment in pursuit of either happiness or success, but the truth is that I probably waste just as much as I spend fruitfully. Since I have a dream, but live within the real world where I’m only given 24 hours a day and hopefully another 40 years of life, my belief is that I have to find a balance (and not the Sleeping Dog kind) that will help me find both happiness and success.

I try to give the taxpayers (who happen to still be willing to pay my monthly bills) an honest day’s work everyday.  I try to spend quality time with my wife and three daughters.  I try to get the proper amount of sleep, relaxation, and exercise (though I seem to fail on all three more than any other area in my life).  I try to keep up with platform building and social media.  AND, I try to make every minute of my writing time count. 

For those of you who want to succeed in today’s publishing world, my suggestion is to find a way to practice some form of Literary Yoga.  Spend time with your job, your family, your platform building, and your writing.  Don’t let any of them overwhelm the other, but never neglect any of them either.

Panties in a Bunch

Every year South Korean and American forces practice joint drills together on the Korean peninsula.  This year, the drill is set for March 1.  However, North Korea has its panties in a bunch about the drill.  They are threatening our top U.S. military commander stating that U.S. forces would "meet a miserable destruction" if these drills continue.  

"Final Destruction" of South Korea

Today a North Korean diplomat threatened that South Korea would face "final destruction".  I wonder if this is like a child throwing a temper tantrum because they have to go to timeout since this was said at a Nuclear Disarmament Convention in Geneva.  

North Korea Propaganda

North Korea Propaganda Video attacking the United States

It's Official - 3rd Nuclear Test Confirmed

 

Much of the world is aware by now that North Korea has officially completed its third nuclear test.  The North reports that this test was smaller than the other, however South Korea stated the seismic impact was bigger than the other two tests.  The Chinese are furious and the United Nations is now vowing tough sanctions.  Are they just going to get a time out for their actions this time or will they finally get their asses beat for this continued bad behavior?  Gaging from past reactions to the Kim's behavior, my bet is firmly on a weak slap on the wrist. 

 

Breaking news

 

An unnatural earthquake has been reported on the North Korean peninsula.  The South Korean Defense Ministry has placed its military on heightened alert following this seismic event until they receive notification if this was a nuclear test or an earthquake.  Unfortunately, it appears likely the North did test its third nuclear weapon since reports show that the seismic activity is located in the same locale as the 2009 nuclear test with the same seismic signature.  

 

Only time will tell.   

 

All Quiet on the North Korean Front....

 

The Punggye-ri nuclear test site is suddenly silent.  No manpower has been seen there since Friday.  Signs of an imminent nuclear test are becoming clearer and I fear it will only be days or hours until a nuclear test occurs.  The situation appears more volatile by the minute with South Korea, the United States, and even China upset about the threats being spewed from the nepocratic nation.  Only time will tell what will transpire.  What do you think will occur if they follow through with their rhetoric?

 

Confusion on Nuclear Test in North Korea?

 

Oh, those crazy North Koreans are at it again.  The North is currently trying to use psychological tactics stating that South Korea and the United States are jumping to conclusions about a potential nuclear test.  Keep in mind that in a January 24 report, the North's National Defense Commission stated that it would be carrying out a high-level nuclear test.  Apparently there is confusion on the matter, but it appears that most of it is coming from the North’s side. 

North Korea Nuclear Test Before Feb. 10?

 

Many speculate that North Korea will attempt their nuclear test prior to the start of the Lunar New Year, which occurs on February 10.  Kim Jong-Un has been holding high-level meetings where he has discussed a turn in the North's military capabilities.  This continued rhetoric by Kim leads analysts to believe that a nuclear test is growing even more imminent. 

 

North Korea Hiding a Nuclear Test Sight



Recent reports show that North Korea is obscuring the opening to an underground nuclear site located at the Punggye-ri test facility.  South Korean intelligence sources maintain that the North’s objective is to cover up this facility in order to thwart any satellite monitoring.  The North’s erratic behavior has continued to present alarm to the outside world since this latest attempt will be its third test.  This could possibly indicate that a new detonation may mean the North is in the final developmental stages of nuclear expansion. 

 

Larger Breasts Disgust North Koreans?

In scouring the web for the latest news in North Korea today, I found myself shaking my head in disbelief from one of the reports I came across.  The North has been in the top headlines lately with threats of war, nuclear testing, starvation, and even cannibalism.  Today, however, I came across a report which honestly has left me baffled still.  Apparently, in the male dominated North, women who have larger breasts or are curvaceous are considered slutty and a disgrace.  I guess that in North Korea they have deemed their women are only sexy if they have a flat chest and a twelve-year old boy physique.  Go figure - to each his own!  I'd love to see their reaction to a Jessica Rabbit cartoon!  :)