May 2009

The Bodhi Tree, a prestigious and nationally known bookstore in West Hollywood has invited me to speak about my novel THE ASCENDANCY. On the evening of Friday, June 5 at 7:30 p.m., I will doing an author-discussion and book signing. The program will last until 9:00 p.m.

The evening will begin with the showing of about thirty-five (35) slides from Peru, Hawaii, and New York, unusual & rare slides of Machu Picchu, Ausangate & Salkantay Mountains, Inca Rituals, and the Mauna Kea Summit in Hawaii. In short, locations which became an inspiration to the writing of THE ASCENDANCY. The slides will be followed by a 20 minute lecture covering the literary & symbolic structure of the novel, then a Question & Answer period. Last, there will be the book signing for those who want to purchase a book.

The Bodhi Tree is a remarkable bookstore and gathering place. I have attached a postcard announcing the event, which includes a map to The Bodhi Tree.

Judy and I hope to see you there. You will find it a most interesting and enjoyable evening. There will be music, slides, intellectual & spiritual interaction, and… friendship.

In My Prayers & Thoughts…

Peace,
John

From NASA: Backdropped by the blackness of space and the thin line of Earth’s atmosphere, space shuttle Atlantis’ payload bay, Canadian-built remote manipulator system robotic arm, vertical stabilizer and orbital maneuvering system pods are featured in this image photographed by the STS-125 crew on flight day 10.

At brief minutes in your life, have you ever had a deep, even profound, spiritual experience that affected your very view of yourself and the world? Have you ever wondered about what happens when you die? How do you connect to God? Have you ever had a deeply spiritual revelation that did not originate from prayer, nor from meditation, nor by attending a religious worship, but happened to you because of an accident, because something happened to you in a matter of seconds that changed your life forever, and the way you deal with people in your life? If you are reading this, PLEASE DO NOT dismiss it as “oh, there’s another one of those” Facebook videos. Please spend eighteen minutes watching this video. You will not regret it; in fact, it should enrich your life.

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor\’s \”Stroke of Insight\”

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor is a brain scientist who had a stroke. From the experience (which she recounts in the video) she discovers from the right side of her brain, after the left side of her brain shut down after a massive stroke, a connection with God, spirituality, time & space, connection with every small part of our beautiful world. She wrote about it in her book, My Stroke of Insight. She appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor was given an incredible gift when she had her stroke on December 10, 1996, and she then gave this gift to you, so you could understand who we are, who you are, how we are connected.

Congratulations to Tom Ruck, author, friend & incredible person, whose book Sacred Ground, A Tribute to America’

Is getting the attention it so deserves. One Hundred Percent 100% of Tom’s royalties are being sent directly from his publisher, and in Tom’s own words, “Regnery, (whom I am so proud to be associated with) to the Freedom Alliance Foundation, I could not be more proud… In fact, it is my understanding that they were able to award 200+ scholarships to children of our fallen heroes this past year – YEA!!!”

Tom goes on to say:  “As many of you are aware, 2008 wasn’t the best year of my life; Sheryl passed in January, I changed jobs in June and suffered a heat attack that required 3 stents on Christmas Eve.  But I am back in the saddle, 40 lbs lighter and ready to move onward and upward!

This week I am lucky to be involved with media around the country with a special emphasis in my hometown, St. Louis   thanks to efforts put forth on my behalf by Allison and Leslie at AHC Consulting. I have listed below all the events to-date that I will have the honor to speak about the Children who are scholarship winners because of  the efforts of the Freedom Alliance and the commitment and dedication of the National Cemetery Administration who maintain our cemeteries.

St. Louis – THURSDAY May 21st. KMOX – Charlie Brennan show, 10:30 – 11:00.  The KSDK noon day television show.  KSIV, The Carole Buck Show – times to be determined. FRIDAY, May 22nd – all to be scheduled, with most of the day devoted to  5-8 minute radio interviews around the country .However, there the possibility of throwing out the first pitch at the Cardinal game that evening. SATURDAY, May 23rd.  Book signing at Borders in Sunset Hills from 11:00 – 1:00 and at Mainstreet Books in St. Charles from 2:00 – 4:00pm

Nationally – Dennis Miller radio show either Thursday or Friday and the possibility of Fox & Friends television from New York on Sunday.

Los Angeles – Master of Ceremonies at Riverside National Cemetery, Memorial Day  11:00 – ??

OK, here is what I am asking – PLEASE!!

If you are in the St. Louis or Riverside area, please come to one of the book signings or the Memorial Day event. And if you live outside that area or can not attend one of these events, BUY a book off Amazon, Borders or Barnes & Noble and send it to the local high school or middle school with a note attached expressing that you think this would make an excellent classroom topic and maybe even an essay project.  And WOW, if they wanted to go above and beyond to invite a veteran from their local American Legion or Veteran of Foreign War posts to come to class and discuss his or her experiences.”

If you do not have this book, you need to purchase one. It is incredible! Judy and I bought one. It is gorgeous, and means so much.

Congratulations to Tom! You’re an inspiration to so many people.

–John M. Weiskopf

On Friday, June 5, in three weeks at The Bodhi Tree, 8585 Melrose Avenue in West Los Angeles, I will be giving a slide presentation of my research locations in the Andes, Machu Picchu, Mauna Kea, and rare Inka rituals, to be followed by a twenty minute lecture on the literary and symbolic structure of The Ascendancy. Then, there will be Q&A followed by a book signing. Check out the postcard ad below.

Congratulations to my daughter Caitlin Rose Weiskopf  for launching her inaugural music event on April 30th in NYC! Music Unites (her company) combined with Universal Motown to present “Blue October” and “Tamarama.”

One Hundred and Fifty guests showed up at the event, which was a huge success. The evening included performances by musicians like White Tie Affair and Kid Cudi. Because of the incredible success of the event Blue October and Kid Cudi are now collaborating on an album together.

Photos of the event are available through noted photographer Patrick McMullan at:  http://www.patrickmcmullan.com/site/event_detail.aspx?eid=29605&home=1

Congratulations, Caitlin!

This is weird. It is a repeat for those of you who are on Facebook, but for those who are not, I want to share this. Last night, Friday May 1, my best friend Michael Lydon posted this on Facebook: “The Kentucky Derby is only a few hours away. I was lucky enough to pick the winner on Friday of the Kentucky Oaks; however, the Derby has 20 horses and there are no clear favorite’s. I think I will pick : Friesan Fire; Dunkirk; General Quarters; and Pioneer of the Niles !!” (Michael Lydon, 8:49 pm May 1st).

At 9:09 pm on May 1st, I commented: #1 Papa Clem, #2 Friesan Fire, #3 I Want Revenge, #4 Dunkirk (John M. Weiskopf, 9:09 pm May 1)

The next morning May 2 (Kentucky Derby Day) at 6:49 am, Michael Lydon said this: “I want Revenge was the favorite, but it was just scratched from the ran this morning due to an injury. It should be raining part of the day and Friesan Fire is a good mudder, so you might want to go with my first choice. Your buddy Mike” (Michael Lydon 6:49 am May 2)

At 7:43 am on May 2 (Kentucky Derby Day), on Facebook I commented in response: “Mike, I saw something Shamanic this morning… tell you later) Revised: #1 Mine That Bird, #2 Papa Clem. #3 Friesan Fire. #4 Dunkirk… we’ll see. Your Buddy.” (John M. Weiskopf, 7:43 am May 2)

That was seven and a half hours BEFORE the Kentucky Derby. At 5:45 am, I was in that Twilight Zone in between sleep and awake state, and I had a flash dream. I saw and felt in my being a bird, a charred or dark bird. Then the Kentucky Derby popped into my head. At 7:43 a.m. I went to the computer and changed my picks.

By 3:30 p.m. later that same day (7 hours after my dream) Mine That Bird won and Papa Clem placed 4th in the 2009 Kentucky Derby.

I also entered it on Twitter at roughly 7:45 am the morning of May 2 Kentucky Derby Day.

Had to share. Thanks for reading. I invite comments.