“Great book! I was quickly drawn into the story lines and character development. I really enjoyed how it all came together ...”


Click Here to Read More Reviews









The writing of Paul Gavin featuring novels, short stories, anecdotes, politics and anything else that's on my mind.

Blogroll.net





Friday, October 27, 2006

This is important

If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you know that I have an affinity for sending goofy emails to talk show hosts requesting that they have me on their show. Well, I am at it again. But this email to Keith Olbermann is unlike any of the others I have written. This one is on a much more serious note.

You may be familiar with the story of Pat Tillman. He played for the Arizona Cardinals of the NFL. After 9-11, he gave up his multi-million dollar career as an NFL player to volunteer to defend the USA. While on duty in Afganistan, he was killed. At first, he family was told that he was killed by enemy forces. But then they were told that he was actaully killed in an unexplained "friendly fire" incident. Supposedly, there was going to be an "investigation". But I have never heard the outcome. Typical.

To tell the truth, I haven't thought much about this. Tonight, I ran across After Pat's Birthday written by Pat Tillman's brother, Kevin. I strongly encourage all of you to read this and share it with your friends before the election. This war we find ourselves mired in is wrong and we need to stop it - now.

I have included my email to Keith Olberman below.

Mr. Olbermann,

A few months ago I wrote you a ridiculous email inviting you to read my blog and have me on your show. This time I am writing you on a far more serious matter. Knowing your connection to sports and the news, I am sure you are familiar with Pat Tillman's story. Although he died under mysterious circumstances, there has not been much in the news about the so-called "investigation" and quite frankly I have forgotten about it until I stumbled on After Pat's Birthday. If you read this, I am sure you will be just as moved as I was. I would like to encourage you to have Kevin Tillman on your show to talk about this.

Since I wrote you the silly email mentioned above, I have been watching "Countdown" more frequently and I would like to say thank you for standing up and defending true American values. You are providing an invaluable service to our nation. Your courage and your ability to provide well thought out, rationally presented commentary is an inspiration for all of us seeking a "change of course" back to a peace loving, moral nation that we aspire to be. Please keep up the excellent work.

Regards,

Paul Gavin

Technorati Tags: , , , , ,

IceRocket Tags: , , , ,

Saturday, October 21, 2006

What a Day

The Cougs came through! We took the two hour drive down to Pullman to catch the Washington State University Cougar football team take on the #14 ranked Ducks of the University of Oregon. The only thing uglier than the green and bright yellow colors that speckled the sellout crowd was the way the Ducks performed on the field. Their pitiful performance included four turnovers and eight penalties.

The end result, WSU 34, OU 23. It was a great game and we had a fantastic time. It was 60 degrees at game time under a blue sky in the rolling green hills of the Palouse. The autumnal colors were vibrant and beautiful. I was a perfect day for college football. Can't think of a better time I have ever had at a sporting event.

Technorati Tags: , , , ,
IceRocket Tags: , , ,

Sunday, October 15, 2006

More on karaoke

You may remember that I told you that I use to spend a great deal of time doing karaoke. As a matter of fact, I was known as the "singing bartender" for awhile. If you went into a bar and saw a guy singing while continuing to serve all the customers, that was me. It was fun, but the nights I wasn't working were much more fun.

One night, the group of us got together at the bar and started doing our thing. at about ten, a bunch of people started showing up and soon there were tons of singers in the rotation. So instead of singing every fifteen minutes or so, it was taken an excurciating amount of time to get back up on stage. For you non-singers, you may not understand how truly frustrating this is for us spotlight cravers. But if you happen to share my need, yes it is a need, you understand the anxienty that builds up inside while you are waiting for your name to be called.

On nights like this, you want to ring your "A" game. There are so many eyes watching you. You feel you just have to deliver. This particular evening, I was definitely not on top of my game. But I wanted to put on a show. Instead of singing, I came up with a little plan.

One of my "group" happened to be the best singer I have ever heard. I am not talking about just in a karaoke bar. She compares favorable to any contempory professional singer out there. She has talent. Anyway, I knew that I was going to be called next. So I went to the KJ, that happened to be another friend of mine, asked him to change my song and discreetly "borrowed" his cordless microphone. I managed to get it back to our table without anyone the wiser.

As planned, I handed her the microphone and she slid under the table. When my name was called, I strode confidently onto the stage. Most of the people that were there had been there before and knew my song selection. At least half of them were surprised to see "Under the Boardwalk" come up on the screen as my song. As the music started, I prepared myself. When the words began to highlight, Mary began singing as I lip-synced. As expected, the crowd roared with approval. It was quite possibly the best "performance" I have ever given.

Sometimes, I really miss those days.
Technorati Tags: , , , ,
IceRocket Tags: , , ,

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

We should all be outraged

I know, I know this isn't a political blog. But this isn't about politics. This is about how we want to live in this country. I am not going to sit here and bash any particular party. I am going to bash everyone. For too long we have sat back, fat, dumb and happy. It is time to wake up and take charge. How can we sit idly by while the politicans ruin our country. The Republicans are a bunch of immoral, corrupt, hypocrites. And the Democrats are inept opportunists.

We have got to come together and vote these bloated pigs out of office. Then we have to take control over the political parties and force the process to serve us, the people. I’m absolutely serious about this. There is no way we can “stay the course” of current U.S. politics. It has to change and it has to change now.

Get out there and do something. Find out where your local precinct meets and go there. Demonstrate for your beliefs. Tell your friends to get involved. Take them to the precinct meeting with you. Lastly, vote, Vote, VOTE! Regardless of your party affiliation, vote against the incumbent. Then send a strong message to the winners. Tell them the better change or in 2008 will throw them out to. This politics of division, the rancor in the debate and the ridiculous issues that we deal with while real problems squeeze us from every direction is absolutely criminal and needs to go away. Please consider this when you go to the polls. It is important and you can and do make a difference.

Technorati Tags: , , , ,
IceRocket Tags: , , ,

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Frequently asked question

Once again, I received an email asking my why my profile picture isn't the real me. This is very upseting to me. I am writing this to set the record straight.

How could any of you ask me that question? That's me in my profile picture. I am, in fact, a disembodied eyeball. You have no idea how difficult my life has been since I came out of the lid. My parents were mortified and disowned me immediately upon my revealing my true self. All my friends deserted me, that's why I spend most of my time blogging. Additionally, it is next to impossible to stay fully moistened. I go through gallons of visine. I won't even get into how I am treated when I go to a restaurant to get a bite to eat.

I am hurt that you don't fully appreciate what I do to talk to all of you. I mean, have you ever tried typing without fingers? I have to bounce myself all over the keyboard just to type a single message. Additionally, I thought the blogosphere would be a place where I was accepted for my writing contributions rather than by my appearance.

Okay, I get the feeling you are not buying the story so I will give you a list of answers and you pick the one you think is correct.

a) I truly am a disembodied eyeball.
b) I am currently wanted in seven states.
c) I am as weird as I claim to be.
d) I am way to lazy to sort through pictures trying to find one where I don't look like a total dork.
e) My face is covered in hideous boils.

Technorati Tags: , , , ,
IceRocket Tags: , , ,

Friday, October 06, 2006

Friday's aren't what they used to be

Another Friday night, sitting at home writing on my blog. Ten years ago, I never could have imagined that I would be doing this and enjoying it so much. Not that I was completely crazy, but I use to do some stuff. And it was a total blast. But now I am very content to stay home with my family and write.

Writing is the most relaxing thing for me to do. It occupies my thoughts during the day and then I head home and just start typing. I'm never at a loss for words. Plus it benefits everyone I know because they aren't subjected to my ridiculus stories all day long.

Technorati Tags: , , , ,
IceRocket Tags: , , ,

Thursday, October 05, 2006

My sisters

The thing is, I have always been a little goofy. It started at a very young age. I found out that I could always come up with something to make my sisters laugh which was very powerful. Since when they were laughing, they usually wouldn't kick my ass. That's right, I grew with three older sisters that used to tease me until I got so mad, I go after them throwing windmill punches. Sometimes, I'd land a blow or two, but then they would easily gain the advantage and beat me up until they got tired or bored.

I'm not telling you this because I am bitter or resentful. In fact the opposite is true. I dearly love my sisters and I can still make them laugh. The reason for this little story is that I have been thinking about my siblings a great deal lately. They live in three separate states and I don't see them very frequently. But when I do, it was like we had just seen each other yesterday.

What is it with siblings? What binds us so tightly? Despite all the pain we inflicted upon each other growing up, we still love our siblings more than anyone else. Yes, even more than our parents. At least that is the way I feel.

The real point of this story is to encourage you to call your siblings and have a little chat. Nothing major, just reach out and talk to them. Why? Because it will make you feel better. Even if you think you don't have a care in the world, there is nothing like having the kind of conversation that you can only have with your siblings.

Technorati Tags: , , , ,
IceRocket Tags: , , ,

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Not messing around

The other day, I petitioned you to email Late Show Feedback to ask Dave to have me on the show. Well, I am holding up my part. Yeah, I did it. I sent Dave another email. Here it is.

Yo Dave,

Eyeballs are cool.

Don't agree? Well, check out my profile and you'll see what I mean. Powerful imagry, don't you think?

Maybe you noticed that some of my friends on MySpace have been emailing you to have me on the show. Personally, I think it's a great idea. I'm a fairly personable guy and I am quasi-funny. What else could you hope for - someone that everbody's already heard of or seen on Leno, Conan, Oprah or Killborn?

What could I possibly have to talk about? I'm glad you asked that question. I self-published my first novel and I have almost completed my second. That should fill at least a minute and a half.

Come on, Dave. I know you like it fresh and edgy. Plus think how relevant it would be to have some dude that asked a bunch of people on MySpace to write emails asking you to have their friend on your show. Social Networking is BIG. It could land you a whole new audience.

So, give a fellow ex-hoosier a break. Book me on the show.

rebeleyeball

Why don't you take eight minutes to email Late Show Feedback and support my request?

Monday, October 02, 2006

All right everybody

We going to give this one more try. I need you help. It may sound stupid to you, but I think this is a great idea. My goal is to get on The Late Show with David Lettermen and I need your help. I tried this a couple times before and apparently, no one took this very seriously. I'm here to tell you, that I am as serious as an ingrown toenail - not lethal, but it will annoy the hell out of you until you do something about. Pull your heads out of you blogs for three minutes and follow these instructions.

Three easy steps

1) Follow this link Late Show Feedbackto the show's feedback form and ask, no demand, that Dave have me on the show.

2) to save you time, I've already written the text to copy and paste right into the little box:

Yo Dave!

The rebeleyeball, sometimes know as Paul Gavin, is the weirdest dude to hit cyberspace in years. The freak has got it going on! He even has a gallery of eyeballs as his friend list. I think he's a hoot. Gotta see him on your show, Dave - gotta. Hey, I even hear he's an ex-Hoosier just like you and Bobby Knight. Now that would be a show, Dave, Bobby and rebeleyeball - an ex-Hoosier reunion show.

Be cool to The rebeleyeball. Trust me, your ratings will barely even move.

Late,

insert your name here

3) Click send.

That's all there is to it. What's the big deal? You afraid that some 20-year old intern is going to think you're a dork? Who cares? Think about all the fun you'll have getting me on a nationally broadcast TV show. Think of the story you could tell you family and friends. "Uh...I helped get the rebeleyeball his first gig on TV." They'll be riveted, hanging on your every word.

Technorati Tags: , , , ,
IceRocket Tags: , , ,

Sunday, October 01, 2006

Tilting at windmills

If you have been reading this, you know I have a thing for trying odd ways to build my online network. My latest adventure has been to browse for people on MySpace that have an eye or an eyeball as their profile picture and invite them to be my friend. It seems like a fairly odd criteria to use for friends, but it seems as good a reason as any other.

I started this little adventure last week and I have already added over thirty friends just on this one criteria. It's pretty cool actually. Would you like to see for yourself. Go check out my profile. Try and tell me that doesn't look cool. Go ahead, I dare you.

Technorati Tags: , , , ,
IceRocket Tags: , , ,