The uploaded book files were technically approved. The next step is/was for me to proof the book.

They give you an option to download a pdf to look at. I guess the pdf is just the book part, not the cover. I'm not sure how that works. It looks great but I just don't see the cover anywhere.

The second option, which is recommended, is to order the actual book to proof. I went ahead and did this. So, I guess we'll see if the cover is there or not?? Should be here in a few days.

I would like to take the time to vent my extreme hatred for Mcafee and Adobe. I hate hate hate hate them and I have hated them for as long as I've had a computer.

The digital review of my book on create space requires adobe flash to be installed. I really didn't want to do this because, well, **** adobe. But I did. The damn download AUTOMATICALLY without me approving, downloaded some sort of mcafee web protection software which, upon downloading, immediately hosed my internet connection. I couldn't load a single web page. I finally uninstalled it and all worked fine.

/ihatemcafeeadoberant

I called and they said the online review file does not include the cover, but the proof I ordered to be delivered will. All is good.

I'm getting sort of excited. I know I have a very myopic view of this, but I really think this turned out extremely well. I actually think this could be marketable. I certainly did not feel this way when I did the first book many years ago. This one looks so polished and professional. And, I think it is fun.

It's really exciting all this news regarding your book! So pleased for you bb.

Thanks!

Boat Update (or customer service..what is it?)

I called the T-top guy directly and it turns out the sales guy never contacted him like he said he did. The lies keep piling up.

The T-top guy rambled on about how long it would take. "well, could be friday, maybe next week, maybe longer, who knows". Ugh. It was pretty obvious that the "agreement" to put a rush on my boat didn't happen and the dealer has made no effort to keep tabs on things.

So, I called one of the muckety mucks at the boat dealership. It is a chain of dealers so there is some "corporate" management. And, it is family owned and they advertise they take pride in their customer service.

I ranted for a while and explained the entire story. And, I pointed out that I have a bank payment due on a boat I don't have. He wasn't so much apologetic as he was determined to take care of things himself. Well, he was apologetic too, but he took action immediately. He drove directly to the T-top place to find out the scoop. He called me back and assured me that it would be back at the dealership Tuesday or Wednesday, cleaned up, and ready for me next weekend.

He also assured me he would have a closed door meeting with the salesman. And, he assured me the salesman would call me Monday to give me an update.

I felt like he is going to kick some butt and hopefully there won't be any more delays. I'll be ranting again if I have to wait another week.

It's been a pretty bad customer service experience but I just want my boat.

Maybe he can upgrade you to an even....bigger boat.

The book is a done deal. I got the proof and it looks fantastic. I'm trying to get things set up on createspace now. They integrate with amazon and kindle so once I get everything set up I think it will be available in hardcopy and ebook.

I have a feeling forum rules prevent me from posting links here. Maybe I just post the title.

I'm not so much interested in selling it here, but at the same time, good reviews would be helpful.

I read the rules and can't find anything about this. If they take it down, that's fine.

https://www.amazon.com/Loonee-Balloo...nee+balloonees

What happened to Volumes 1 & 2?

Volume 1 was my first shot at this about 10 years ago. It's not on Amazon. I'll probably rewrite it with this new illustrator.

Volume 2 is our next venture. We started in the middle.

I've decided to go ahead and start the second book. No reason to wait except for the money. But, I've somewhat decided to just keep working for a while.

I'm working on my website now. I'm using a tool called ******. It seems fairly easy but there is still a learning curve. I can technically do it myself but I don't have a good sense of aesthetics. I know what I want the content to be, but making it look good is another issue.

In boat news - the dealer told me they will deliver it tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Woot!

Tempted to buy and review your book for the lulz :P

It has arrived!!!!!!!!!!!



The head honcho kicked some butt and made it happen. They actually delivered it. There are a few issues, though.

The seats are two different fabrics. They will order new ones to match.
The horn was removed when they put the t-top on.
I can't find the safety equipment.

The motor has to be serviced after 20 hours. They will pick the boat up at that time and fix everything.

[x] boat indeed looks to be bigger

Work rant

They gave me a new PC Monday. This is mandatory apparently. Every 3 years you have to get a new one. Mine was working fine but whatever.

Several pieces of software I need just to perform simple tasks were not installed.

Somehow in the installation, my PC has been "lost" on the network. I can connect, but they can't push software to my PC. They haven't been able to figure this out. Fortunately, the software that needs to be pushed isn't super important right now, although it will be if I get a different assignment.

But, what really gets my goat is that, as a developer, we are told that we are responsible for getting developer tools on our own. If any developers are out there, this includes things like Eclipse, SOAPUI, and Ant. These are pretty basic tools that every Java Developer needs. Well, maybe not SOAPUI, but I need it to test the application I'm working on now.

None of them are on my new pc, because, as stated, this is my responsibility. However, when I got the new PC, they removed admin rights which means I cannot download these.

As of right now, I cannot do the job I'm assigned to do. Sigh.

/rant

Classic Dilbert. Congrats on getting to sit there and do nothing!

Yeah, in my experience it's been pretty standard that devs install their own tools, but at all the companies I've worked we also were allowed local admin privileges, because duh.

Since I'm ranting about work....

Our 401k administrator is T. Rowe Price. We get emails at our work email address from them notifying us that our statements are available, if you just click the link. However, work has T. Rowe Price blocked.

We caught this on our first offshore trip in the new boat. We were trolling for kingfish when it hit. Wife grabbed the rod. I kept thinking "damn, that's a huge kingfish". Turns out it was a hammerhead shark. About 6 feet long. Quite a fight. We let it go.

We have officially begun book 2 of the series. The book will be significantly bigger(longer) due to the story. But I think it will take less time for the illustrator because she has the characters down now.

I'm getting good feedback on the first one, but in order to do any kind of sales, I'm going to have to promote it. At minimum, I need to submit it to reviewers. I'm on the fence on when, though. I think this will be more successful with more than 1 book out. It establishes the characters and I think when people see the stories (as opposed to just one story) are fun, it might be more effective. I dunno.

I'm struggling to think of a reason that any business would do this. Is it all banking/investment sites?

Well, it's kind of hard to tell a lot of the time. Sometimes sites are really blocked. Some sites "do stuff" that prevents us from accessing them. I've never quite figured out exactly what is going on. A lot of times things are just broken and nobody cares enough to fix it. I just know it isn't accessible from work.