All About Von

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My art is a statement to the lived experience as an American abroad; born as an American but raised in different countries, among diverse cultures and global perspectives. I have my criticisms of global society, which I dutifully, poetically exercise. For what service can I say I offer, if I don’t reflect on my experiences for the next up-and-comer to consider? I am all about living in the moment, owning it, and being accountable for the next generation of happiness to occur within this lifetime. In a sense, I can be considered a warrior poet with an existential life agenda.
My vision for my art is to make declarative statements on our collective existence while offering imaginative, plausible options for the future. My goal is to establish myself as a formidable poet-philosopher working in Pinellas County.

127 thoughts on “All About Von”

  1. Just so pleasant to be in this site. The combination of interesting themes, the way the autor presents everything, the pink vs strong colors…..just makes you “need” to go on with the reading. Von, doing what you love is what matters and what defenitely get you into living happily. Keep doing this extraordinary journey towards perfection. SabinaR.

    Reply

  4. I just saw your comment on someone else’s blog (about motivation and rejection). You are OFFICIALLY awesome. I mam now following your blog. And by the way, the fluidity of your comment, as well as its crispness, is better than half the books out there! It’s amazing how a paragraph (like yours) can be more impressive than a three-book volume.

    I hope you have time to visit my blog and critique my poetry — unlike most, I actually think your critique would be valuable!!!

    http://dbgb1986.wordpress.com/2013/10/16/im-posting-three-short-poems/

    Reply

      1. 1) Critique (from someone like you) IS creation;
        2) Yes, anytime would be great;
        3) The instant you publish your book, let me know! If you’re the writer, then I’m sure it’ll be wonderful.

  5. I mainly have started in SciFi and am shopping some stories around electronically in that genre. Any other publishing advice you have I’d appreciate. I did work up a novel based on the military – sort of Clancy-ish – that I have to wait to publish…

    Reply

    1. I always like to hear about people using their talents wisely and putting what they enjoy doing out there to share.
      Publishing advice? Hrmm. We may need to offline for that convo. 😉
      Don’t be Clancy. Be YOU. Besides, even Clancy has gone off-Clancy. Give us something fresh! 🙂

      Reply

  8. Dear friend, Thank you very much, I was really happy to have been following your blog. I’m still a lot to figure out, and here I can only say that you are an awesome blogger, full Inspiring and hope you can inspire more readers. Thanks and greetings compassion from Gede Prama 🙂

    Reply

  10. Hi there,
    Thank you for taking the time to stop by and check out my little corner of the blogosphere and the follow, your support is greatly appreciated. Looking forward to seeing more from you 🙂
    Have a great day,
    Eddie

    Reply

    1. Thanks for stopping by, Wayne! Feel free to follow my blog. Hope I keep you entertained 🙂

      From one sunny coast to another, enjoy the day!

      Reply

      6. I personally have yet to pursue certification but yes, there’s a bunch of scuba zealots you could easily fall in with! We are a big fishing community, and boating community. You couldn’t be bored, ever.

      7. Sounds awesome, wasn’t there a program about that, house swapping…. Lol just kidding, I have two dogs from a shelter, a ring neck parrot and not to mention the 5 tropical fish….. We would be a high maintenance house 😃

      8. Now that would be fun; I get along with animals much better than humans! Here you’ll have to bear with Roberto Tiberius, my 5 yo cocker spaniel. He’s an attention whore. Tick Tock does his own thing, so here you can spend more time on the water. Bring a kayak!

      10. Bob was found wandering my mother’s neighborhood. Messy, clearly abandoned. Her neighbor caught him, then asked her to keep him. She contacted me and we had him shipped here. He’s the most sweetest, gracious, puppy…perfect for a recluse type like me 🙂

      12. I don’t think it’s sad. I’ve given enough to society. It’s okay to roll back and live ascetically. My opinion; most people don’t get me but at least my therapist does.
        And you can’t be a recluse, MOV, if you have a wife and a pet menagerie. 😉

      15. How do you make “recluse” sound even remotely sexy…. Bit deliverance like… Yes we have all watched deliverance here.. At least old ppl like me

      16. OH WOW! Laughing through my chewing.
        Please please please don’t base your knowledge of American society on Deliverance. That’s an outlier…a singularity…we’re not all into banjos.
        Old guy. Puh-leese. You’re younger than me, am sure.

      17. LOL I have travelled, certainly not judging American society by a movie.. LOL, are you sure about the banjo thing… Lol 😇 I doubt I am younger than you

      18. Okay. Well. Maybe here in the Deep South. 😉 But this is a more sophisticated area, very urban and forward thinking I assure you! Don’t want to dissuade you from our house swap deal hahaha!

      25. I would not have guessed 38, your pic (avatar) looks younger… Serious rain here in Cape Town…. There must be serious flooding in some areas

      27. Hmmm, clean living, lots of sun…. Done that, sailing, hiking… Okay admittedly partial to a glass of red… Don’t look as good as you do… Mid winter storms in the cape of storms…. Gonna be a fun weekend

      30. Yeah tannins do blotches and dry the skin. But you look very well held together! Big holiday, lots of drunk and rude people out. America!!!

      32. So, have you recovered from Independence Day? Pretty sure the soccer World Cup has caused more than enough drunk ppl, esp the Dutch

      33. Yes, quite. It’s 3:42pm and I am waking up to start the day! Although after I make shrimp pad Thai and fill up on that, will likely lay back down. 😉
        World Cup has been interesting. I follow Germany and the rowdiness has increased by match. Drunkenness am sure to scale!
        So who are you rooting for into the finals?

      35. Good man! Tomorrow is going to be an interesting match..up against Brazil..but gotta stay with my Deutsche boys 😉

      36. Hmmm, a tough one, maybe home ground advantage will be a factor!! European sides historically have not done that well in South America !!

      37. Yes they did show a bit of struggle in the last match..that 90+ F weather is hard to play in. But they are a younger team..as they say, we shall see!

      40. Us South Africans are nuts about our rugby. My team is the stormers which are naturally Cape Town based. And of course support the springboks

      41. Okay then I shall side with the Stormers since our area is known for it’s constant lightening. Springboks are deer like creatures, right?

      42. Yes, but the South African national team is known as the springboks or boks for short. Currently ranked second in the world but it really rankles as we believe we are the best…. Of course New Zealand would disagree… 😜

      43. Ah, well, I can’t fairly comment on the Southern hemisphere rivalries..I just know all the rugby players are HOT! hahaha

      45. Those guys made my MILLENNIUM! Relentless is the word I’d describe that team with. On to the finals…woo hoo!
        When does rugby season start?

      46. Rugby season mid way. The champions 4 nations start next month that involve South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Argentina. After that it is the usual European tours. We recently played 2 games against Wales and one against Scotland as a warmup for the champions cup. Naturally we won all three warm up games 😀

      48. Your team will definitely win, and hopefully mine next year. World Cup rugby only started in 1987 but we did not partake until 1995 for political reasons. We won in 95 and again in 2007. New Zealand and Australia have also one it twice a piece. England is the only northern hemisphere side to ever win and they have won once

      49. I’m learning so much in these exchanges! Interesting the political haze over international events and sports in general..

      51. I think no American can put judgment on any other nation, considering our warmongering tendencies. 😉 I’m sure you guys have your bad apples, but you’re alright with me!

      57. It’s big for us at the German American club. I don’t think regular pubs are making as big a deal. They’re gonna have the game on, but it’ll be a regular day. Us, we’ve got traditional German food and Jager shots for each goal. You can imagine how rambunctious it got with the last match!

      59. Yes. Many people slurring their words after the match. I forego shots but if we win I think I’ll have a celebratory beer. 🙂

      61. Yes. A nice smoky 25 year malt would be ideal for celebration, but this is a members club so the bar isn’t stocked beyond beer. I find my preferences tend to be of higher scale.

      65. Bucket List entry for sure. Gotta work on a passport book. Have my card but that limits me to north America and the Caribbean! Today’s blog is going to hint my next big trip 😉
        So if you have to be buried alive and you get one choice of wine to keep with you, what wine would that be?

      72. Florida, hmmm very tropical!! Cape Town is more of a Mediterranean climate… Lovely mountain, awesome vineyards etc… What do you have to offer!! Besides great weather….. 😳

      73. This is a subtropical region so you’ll experience palms as well as pine! The entire coastline of our county is a preserve, so here you can experience flora and fauna of amazing variety, some areas unspoiled since the days of the conquistadors. And of course, we’ve got the American alligator 🙂

      75. Haha yes but they’re still adorable! You’ll be living off a lake where Tick Tock, my 2 year old gator enjoys a swim and visits the shore to sun on occasion.
        Do you have a pet croc?

      76. Sadly I do not…. I fear you are a fan of Peter Pan but nevertheless I will give you credit… Quick question, was it not a croc in Peter Pan ? Tick tock etc… Lol just kidding

      77. He had to have been; he was wide bodied, whereas A. Mississippianus is slender. 😉
        Not a fan. I…er…um…danced in a production of Hook in high school. We had inflatable crocs…very dumb.

      78. Cool, busy with the braai….. To you Americans that would be a barbecue …. My friends have joked that the difference between a braai and a barbecue is that a braai in South Africa is almost like a religious experience…. Personally, I just enjoy cooking on fire

      80. Pretty much!! You are pretty cool to chat with! What Is the time there right now? Here it’s 6:23 in the evening! Photography is kinda like my latest hobby!

      81. I am! 🙂 It is 12:30 now, just about my lunch time. I saw your post about the bike rider with the two Jack Russell terriers; that is adorable/burdensome. I love photography, used to work for a photographer, but my wheelhouse is writing. Good on you and congrats on the new vocation. It’ll change your life. 🙂

  16. I have a small favor to ask, but before I ask it, let me say this: PLEASE WRITE A SEQUEL! I have read JUAREZ about a dozen times! Anyways, as to the favor, I need your help with a social justice project. If you’re interested in women’s reproductive health rights, please email me, subject WOMEN’S HEALTH. My address is danielbaron@inbox.com

    Reply

    1. Hey Daniel! Thanks for the praise; always welcome. Busy producing other great works, including the next THREE Johnny books, so no time for side gigs! Best of luck with your project.

      Reply

      1. Do you have 30 seconds to donate — literally — 75 cents to a project that will build 20 women’s clinics in the state of Texas, to support poor and immigrant women? If so, let me know!

  18. Aloha Von. I’m seeing the places that you’ve been when growing up; was your family in the military? And has all those places had influences in your writing?

    Reply

    1. Aloha Canisius! Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog. You are absolutely correct; Army all the way..HOO AHH!
      As far as influences, not entirely. I traveled much more of the United States as an adult, so my works tend to build around ‘stateside’ locations. My novel makes the exception; the protagonist’s origin story plays out between Mannheim, Germany and Ft Meade, Maryland, and the conflict she experiences launches out of Ft Bliss, Texas (ergo the book title, I Blew Up Juarez, which is theoretically easy to do from that military reservation). The project I’m currently producing is purposely without military references, because I started to feel like a one trick pony with all the shoot em up bang bang 😉
      This was a way longer response than you wanted, but you happened to catch me while I’m waiting on dinner! Enjoy your day and come visit me again soon! 🙂

      Reply

  19. Oh wow. Thanks for replying so quickly. Say, you wouldn’t by chance to have roots from the Pacific, would ya? I just so happen to know a Simeon family from the Pacific and was also in the military; and army too.

    Reply

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