Archive for 2013

Meet the Team- Eric M. Blake

Monday, November 25th, 2013

rsz_ericEric Blake has been writing for PeKu since July 2011.  Eric is one of our specialized columnists who focuses on a particular area.  For Eric, this area is politics.  He is the voice behind our Conservative Considerations column, which is published every Monday on Camp Campaign.  He has written numerous articles that have spurred discussion, both with our readers and with other columnists for Camp Campaign.

Please allow me to introduce you to Eric M. Blake.

MPK: You write for our political publication, Camp Campaign. When did you first take an interest in politics?

EMB: Well, it depends on specifics, I suppose.  I’ve long had at least a casual interest in politics—I remember as far back as the campaign ads for the 1996 campaign, though my first clear political memory was Clinton’s notorious denial regarding Lewinsky.  I was mildly interested in the 2000 campaign (I was ten at the time!), more intensely interested in the 2004 campaign (watching all the debates, I believe)—but I think when I really got into the issues was around 2007.  That was when I first tuned in to Rush Limbaugh—along with Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity.  When ’07 became ’08 and the election season kicked in, I guess it grabbed hold of me and never let go.

MPK: Are you involved in your local political scene?

EMB: Hmm.  Well, again, it’s a big “it depends”, I guess.  I’m really involved in USF’s College Republicans chapter—I’m the Parliamentarian, in charge of keeping and enforcing the club’s constitution and “laws”.  I’m passionately involved, there—and I’ve campaigned door-to-door and phone-banked for Mitt Romney.  I’ve also campaigned for Col. E.J. Otero, who ran against Kathy Castor in 2012.

As far as my current “hometown” of Lakeland: as readers of my column may remember, my dad ran for Polk County Property Appraiser.  That campaign wasn’t so successful, either.  I’m starting to wonder if I’m not jinxing my favorite candidates.

MPK: As you seem to have a great amount of passion for politics, do you read many political biographies? Do you have a favorite?

EMB: Oh, sure!  My number-one favorite would have to be Dinesh D’Souza’s Ronald Reagan: How an Ordinary Man Became an Extraordinary Leader.  I also have Zev Chafets’s Rush Limbaugh: An Army of One; and I’ve read Senator Rubio’s autobiography.  I also have a copy of A Patriot’s History of the United States; does that one count?

MPK: When you aren’t writing articles, what do you like to do with your free time?

EMB: I love films—particularly of the pulp/noir crime variety.  Quentin Tarantino’s one of my inspirations: I’m an aspiring filmmaker.  I like trying my hand at writing: especially screenplays, but also fan-fiction for my two favorite TV franchises: Star Trek and Cheers.  I have big crushes on Ezri Dax and Diane Chambers—my word, did I just say that out loud?!

MPK: What fun fact would our readers be surprised to learn about you?

EMB: Let’s see…aside from the filmmaking?  (Well, I suppose that one’s not too surprising, considering how much I’ve written about films.)  You know, I suppose a “personal” fact would be that I have Asperger’s Syndrome—and that I was mostly homeschooled until college.  I love Italian restaurants: my dish of choice is fettuccine alfredo, heavy on the cheese.  I’m a night owl, not a morning person.  I actually agree with Ron Paul on some things…mostly economic.  And I have an assortment of 1940’s-noir-style fedoras—and even a couple trench coats to match.  Hey, works for Matt Drudge….

Thanks for having me.  It’s been an honor.

Try Something New

Monday, November 18th, 2013

Juggle BallsHow often do we encourage others to try something new?  If you’re a parent, it can be a common topic of discussion.  From the early years of “Try a bite of cooked squash” to the older years of “Yes, you should try doing pole vault”, we tend to spend a decent amount of time encouraging our children to be open to new ideas, activities, and more.  We do this also in our work roles, advising and helping others with new tasks and responsibilities.  Personally, I like to have team members try something new.  If it doesn’t work well, we can fix it together.

However, when it comes to ourselves as individuals, how often do we try something new?  We go to the same restaurants and order dishes from within our normal repertoire.  We spend our free time enjoying hobbies and pastimes that are known and reassuring.  While being comfortable and knowing what we like are good, it also is enjoyable to spread our wings.

Thus, yesterday I tried something new.  Let me preface my story by explaining that it wasn’t anything earth shattering.  However, it was a step outside of my comfort zone.  So, what was it that I tried yesterday?  Juggling.

My husband is able to juggle; in fact, he’s pretty good at it.  The idea of being able to juggle sounds good to me, but the reality is trickier.  While I am an athletic person who likes to exercise and what-not, I do not excel at coordination.  My reflexes are somewhat short of being cat-like.  So, as I started my lesson yesterday, I could hear my brain thinking, You know this won’t be easy.

And it wasn’t.  I spend 45 minutes practicing.  I was able to advance from two balls to three, but that is where I got stuck.  I could throw all three, but making the first ball become the fourth in the air was where I froze.  However, at no time did I feel frustrated.  I could feel my brain and hands trying to coordinate and understand how to make this work.

I haven’t given up on juggling.  I definitely will be working on it intermittently, as I think I might be able to train myself to do this.  Even if I don’t advance further than I did, it was gratifying to spend time working my body and mind in a different way.

Of course, the same is true on the work front- trying something new is good, even if it doesn’t work as well as you hoped.  That is one of the goals at PKP, to keep adding new features, new topics, new designs with the intention of keeping our audience engaged.  Keep an eye on our publications, you are bound to find something you haven’t seen here before.

Tania Cowling

Wednesday, November 13th, 2013

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Tania Cowling

Wednesday, November 13th, 2013

Tania K. Cowling is a former teacher, a published book author, and award-winning freelance writer. Tania is married, a homemaker, parent, pet parent, and grandparent — she has experienced many facets of life and milestones and would love to share her tips with you.

Recent Articles from Tania Cowling

Thankfulness

Monday, November 11th, 2013

flagLater this month we will celebrate Thanksgiving.  Named as such, amidst all of the food, family, and festivities, we usually find time to give thanks.  Whether it be a quiet reflection, a note, or a conversation, most of us spend a moment thinking about all the things for which we are grateful.

However, today on Veterans Day it seems like a fitting day to consider our gratitude.  The veterans of our military have provided us with the freedoms and liberties that are priceless.

As you awake late on this day off from school or head to the mall after work for the Veterans Day sales, be sure to take a moment and offer a silent thought for those who have served and those who are currently serving.  If you see a veteran, take the time to let them know that you appreciate their service.

From all of us at PeKu, I am pleased to extend our deep gratitude to our veterans.

November Highlights

Monday, November 4th, 2013

November HighlightsEvery month brings its own changes.  Here in New Hampshire, the temperatures are more consistently cold, which means that the windows are closed until spring and the furnace is running.  Halloween decorations are down and have been replaced with Thanksgiving items.  Fall sports seasons have ended for our student-athletes, and we await the beginning of winter sports.  At PeKu there are new happenings also.

  • Couch Tuber has a new look and article format.  We begin each week by highlighting the top shows for the coming week.  During the week we also make recommendations for one show each that should be:  Added to your DVR, Deleted from your playlist, and is a Toss Up.  Of course, these decisions are made based on personal opinion.  We’d love your feedback. Whether you think we are right or wrong, leave a comment.
  • As we prepare for Thanksgiving and visits from family whom we love, we may also ponder getting away from it all.  This month Good Life Review is focusing on vacations in Italy.  Learn about great sites to see, restaurants at which to dine, outdoor activities to enjoy, and more.  Whether it becomes a trip you plan or simply a daydream to take you away from the ebb and flow of the holidays, begin your journey with us.
  • To help with holiday preparations, Holidays Helper will be publishing photos of the craft ideas that we share.  Sometimes written word isn’t enough to explain an idea. Thus, we will begin adding photos of the finish product.  If you’re looking for a craft to entertain the kids (big or small) at Thanksgiving, head on over to Holidays Helper.

Between the day to day pace of PKP and the beginning of holiday season, November is sure to fly.  However, I plan on taking time to enjoy this month and all that it offers.  From the end of foliage season to the meal planning for Thanksgiving, I look forward to a busy and enjoyable month.

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