Tweed Texas

Moment in Time

Today's date will forever hold a special meaning for me. 29 years ago today, I lived through an experience that had a great impact on my life. Anyone who was present will never forget it either. I'm referring to the Lawton, OK-Wichita Falls, TX tornadoes.  To this day it is still 'Terrible Tuesday.' It was every bit of that and more. I was the newly appointed Operations Manager of KLAW in Lawton, OK. I had been on the job for 8 days. This station was woefully under equipped for the events of that day; however, I cannot commend my makeshift staff enough for their unselfish efforts in making a difference in an untold number of lives.  The day was cloudy and oppressively muggy the whole day. Around 3:30 that afternoon we received word that Vernon, TX had been hit by a super cell and by all indications, it was coming our way. By 5 o'clock the tornado cell was upon us and ripped through the SSW portion of the city and exited out the east side killing 3 people.

An hour later, a behemoth of a storm, a cell that would dwarf the Lawton twister tore through Wichita Falls, killing 46 people. It rolled over Memorial Stadium on Southwest Parkway and headed on toward several neighborhoods, leveling 'Faith Village', a neighborhood filled with small houses built shortly after WWII. The funnel was at least a half mile wide and stayed on the ground uninterrupted for at least 6 miles. It ripped a path on toward Sikes Center Mall grazing Midwestern University later playing itself out some 47 miles later near Waurika, OK. It made 20% of the town of roughly 100,000 uninhabitable. There were 20,000 people who found themselves instantly homeless.

  My radio station was owned by the operators of KVET/KASE in Austin, TX and they sent me to Wichita Falls about 40 miles south of us to get some audio from witnesses and officials. After getting my media credentials, I  walked through several neighborhoods both in Lawton and in Wichita Falls. The only way I can describe what I saw was that it was a physical experience for me. I had never seen anything like it in my life. This was the embodiment of total destruction. I literally wanted to vomit. I stood in these neighborhoods and saw people still walking around stunned by their surroundings. I felt horrible for just being there. These people had lost everything. I had lost nothing. I was actually ashamed to be there doing my job. Tornadoes have a way of taking life out of context. We all learn through association. Tornadoes put things together in such a way that although you see it, your mind has great difficulty accepting what it sees.

  The experience had a huge impact on me. I was determined from that moment on. Any radio station I ran would make a absolute commitment to weather coverage. As I stated in my book, Texas In Her Own Words, the weather in Texas runs between the serene and the majestically violent. I know that for a fact. I saw it myself--first hand. I still think back to that time every year on this date. I think about all those people that died that day in two states. I also remember how the experience changed me for forever.  I'll take those events with me to the grave. As a result, Lawton and Wichita Falls will always hold a special place in my heart. I could tell you many stories about what happened, when it happened and the people involved. If you want to know more, contact me through my email, Tweed@TweedScott.com and I'd be happy to share with you. In the meantime, take care of your precious selves.

Movin' On

How can this be April already?  It's just not right...  I recently spoke at the Llano County Library in Llano. Now those were some great people. They took me to lunch at the ledgendary Badu House. If you get the chance to stop by on your way through Llano...don't miss the experience and while you're there check out the rare bar top. It is granite but has flecks of cobalt in it. It all comes from there in the county. See what I get to experience when I'm out on the road? I love sharing the 'Gospel of Texas.' Call me and I'll come to your group and speak. That's what I do. I'm getting geared up to participate in several events regarding the Round Rock Reads program in Round Rock, TX. Texas In Her Own Words was chosen from among 6 finalist as the book to be read by the community between February and the end of April.

On the 7th they'll show a movie called the Unforseen. It's about one of Texas' treasures, Barton Springs and the impact our decisions as communities have on the environment. It was produced by Robert Redford who does have an onscreen appearance at the springs. He apparently spent a good protion of his early years in the Austin area and says he learned to swim at Barton Springs. I've only seen the trailer but I was surprised to find one of the people in my book in the film. It was Marshall Kuykendall. I consider him a good friend and a Texas icon. If you've had never met a Texan in your life and could only meet one, Marshall would be near the top of my list to have you meet. That's Monday the 7th at 7pm at the Round Rock Higher Education Center. I hope to see you there.  The next event isn't until the 17th and that is a program about 'Round Rock In her Own Words.' I wouldn't miss that for the world. That's going to be fun. I'll have more on that in the next post. In the meantime, take care of your precious selves.

Brief Follow-up

Just a quick follow-up on my last post. I heard from my good friend Paul Ellul over at speakermatch.com. He was good to remind me that if you want more specific information about the upcoming speakermatch boot camp in June in Chicago, the web address is www.Speakermatch.com/bootcamp. There you'll learn pretty much everything you'll need to know to get started and you'll get to learn more about Johnny, Tony & Dave, the men who'll walk you through the weekend. Again, I want to stress that if you are a speaker, especially an emerging speaker--one just getting your legs under you, THIS is the seminar for you. I don't get a commission or benefit from endorsing this seminar. I have attended it, lived it and have reaped benefit from it. If you are serious about growing your speaking business...this is the best way I know of knocking years off your learning curve. Bryan Caplovitz, the owner of Speakermatch and his right hand, Paul Ellul have put together a great vehicle to help you build your business quicker and more efficiently than just trying to figure it all out for yourself. Learn from people who have already been there before you. Take advantage of their experience and let them teach you. Not all seminars are created equal--This seminar is everything it says it is. Invest in yourself and your future. Go to this seminar.  You can thank me later.  See you soon.

Momentum

  March in Texas has always been one of my favorite months. I'm sure a lot of it has to do with it being the month we celebrate the birth of Texas and the events at the Alamo. Both events are special to me. Those two events alone are an indication of what sets Texas apart from all herer sister states. A nation was forged out of those two historically important dates (in addition to others).  I do a great deal of speaking about Texas and if you've ever heard me, you know I am passionate about Texas. You really can learn a lot from Texas and Texans.

  My speaking calendar continues to grow. I have three speaking engagements in as many weeks. I am also working with a business colleague on a seminar or workshop regarding writing, developing back of the room products and presenting your topic. I am also beginning to make plans to attend the 2nd annual Speakermatch.com Bootcamp in Chicago. It takes place in June 19th-21st, I believe. Just go to www.Speakermatch.com for more details. I endorse this event without reservation. It's not an event that will address your presentation issues so much as it will teach you how to build and run a successful speaking business. You will learn from three professional speakers; men who do this as a full-time living. I promise you, it is worth every penny and every minute you'll spend.  If you've got any questions, I'm at the the other end of Tweed@TweedScott.com In the meantime, take care of your precious selves.

Gettin' Busy

It has been an interesting month..I actually had four speaking engagements in 7 days. I spoke for the National Association Of Women in Construction...what a a great audience. I'd speak for them again in a heartbeat. I later had two engagements in one day...Speaking for the Executive Women in Texas Government at noon and later that evening at the kickoff of the Round Rock Reads program. My book, Texas In Her Own Words was chosen from a list of 6 finalist to be the selection the city would like to see everyone in the city read over the next couple of months. That again was a great audience. I am scheduled to do several dates with them probably through May. The Round Rock Library is a great facility and the librarians are wonderful people to work with...I just feel blessed that this book was chosen.

I have been asked by my good friend and author of the Ripple Effect, Steve Harper, to participate as a speaker at his next Ripple event on Thursday, Feb. 21st. If you have never been to a Ripple event, you need to go. Steve has come up with a unique and powerful way to build you network of personal and professional contacts. If you're in the Austin area please check it out...get more information at http://www.ripplecentral.com/8minute_ripple.php  I promise you. You'll have a great time, meet people you do not already know. It is worth you time. Please come by say hello and be prepared to have a great time meeting some remarkable people. I made several great contacts out of the last Ripple event I attended. I bet you do too.

Life At Light Speed

Just a short post to bring you up to date. A lot has been happening. I went in as the President of the Board for the Writer's League of Texas. It's primarily a support organization for writers from wannabees, beginners all the way up to multiple-book published authors & poets.  I'm surrounded by many smart and talented people. I'm humbled to be a part.  I'm continuing to deliver speeches as often as possible. I have another big one coming up on the 7th of February for the National Association of Women In Construction.  Somehow it doesn't surprise me that organization started in Texas. I am working on closing a couple of other important speaking engagements too.

We'll find out within the next week if Texas In Her Own Words was chosen as the citywide book to be read in the Round Rock Reads program. I certainly want to thank all my friends and associates who have taken the time out to vote on line for the book. That's pretty exciting stuff.  It just continues to amaze me the way this has turned into the little book that could. I also want to thank the members of the Metropolitan Breakfast Club for both their hospitality and generosity. I spoke at their meeting this morning and really enjoyed the atmosphere.  Today is another landmark day for me.  I get new glasses. The doctor told me that I flat wore the other ones out...she said it was like I've been seeing the world through a shower curtain...and your point is? so I must run and do that and charge off to still another meeting. Check back soon and I'll update you on the Round Rock Reads Program. In the meantime, take care of your precious selves.

A New Year Already

It's hard to believe that a new year has arrived. I'm not big on making new year's resolutions. In fact, the only resolution I ever make is to NOT make any new year's resolutions. That's one I CAN keep. Looking at my calendar, 2008 is shaping up nicely. My goal this year was to double the number of paid speaking opportunities this year and create at least four solid products to sell in addtion to my book Texas In Her Own Words.

  I mentioned my calendar. My plan or goal for this year is to speak on average at least once a week throughout the year. That comes out to 52 presentations and anything above that is certainly going to be a big plus. So far in January, I have spoken to the Killeen Rotary which in turn has lead me to a possible paid speaking appearance back there in September. Also as a result of that Rotary presentation, I have landed another speaking appearance later this month in Belton for the Belton Lions Club and a radio interview on KTEM later that afternoon. That is one of the most amazing things about speaking. You never know who is in the audience who can book you for a future appearance. As many paid appearances I might make, I will still do the freebies just because of that fact.

There is another exciting thing going on with the book. It has been selected as one of six finalist for the Round Rock Reads program. The voting goes on until January 31st. You can vote on line at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=s4y5cYRZ8QnD_2fia300_2fH7g_3d_3d or simply Google, Round Rock Reads and look for the link to vote online. I'd appreciate your support. I think it would a good thing to have that many people reading Texas In Her Own Words between March & April.

  I am also the incoming president of the board for the Writer's League of Texas. There will be several things that will keep me busy. I'm confident that this board will continue to do great things as did the previous board under Diane Hernandez. Well that's enough for now. We'll have more for you in the next day or two.

As the Season Turns

Thanksgiving has come and gone...again. It was rather quiet at home. Dinner was exquisite as usual and the Cowboys won. That much was good. As I mentioned in the previous post, I went to Beaumont to serve as a pallbearer with 5 other Delta Sigma Pi fraternity brothers at my friend, Mike Morgan's funeral. We've all known each other anywhere between thirty & thirty-five years. It was a shock to actually lose one of our own. Mike was a class act. He touched a lot of people. That was obvious by the number of people who attended the funeral and the graveside services in Port Neches in a driving rain.The conditions were miserable but then, it was a miserable day. There we, the 6 pallbearers sat--not a dry eye among us. Yeah, we loved him.
 

  I've tried to get my head wrapped around what I need to be doing. I am already beginning to set up speaking opportunities for 2008. I have four speaking dates locked in for next year going all the way into November. There are still a few gigs that have not been locked down but appear to be solid. My goal for 2008 is to be successful my first full year of working solely as a speaker. I will go anywhere in Texas to speak. I'm also developing a couple of programs that I can deliver anywhere in the country. I don't deny it for a second, I love to speak about Texas---I call spreading the Gospel of Texas.

   A couple of years ago I had a business coach. We had several discussions centered around 'Are you a writer who speaks or are you a speaker who writes? I'm a speaker who writes. Yes,  I will continue to write. However, one of my greatest joys is to be in front of an audience with the potential to change lives for the better. One thing I have always known,--maybe it's all that time in radio--it's all about the audience. My job is to deliver information that they can use in an entertaining format. I must admit, I love hearing an audience laugh. But I also love seeing that 'light' go on in their eyes. Granted, it may only be a 40 watt bulb but a new light nonetheless.

  Before I close, I want to thank the Friends of the Library in San Saba for the great hospitality, friendship and generosity. Zee & I were there on Tuesday Nov. 20th. We had a ton of fun delivering our 'Inventing Texas' speech and pieces of the Texas Mantra speech.  My next appearance is scheduled for the Alamo on Saturday, Dec. 1st between 10 & 2. If you're around San Antonio, please drop by. I'd love to meet you and shake your hand. In the meantime, take care of your precious selves. Texas Forever!

Life goes on

  My world got rocked a couple of days ago. One of my best friends in life passed away unexpectedly. He was doing some fall yard work and started feeling achey and went into the house to take a nap. His wife found him a short time later on the floor. EMS couldn't revive him. Mike, only 53, was the best man at my wedding and one of my Delta Sigma Pi fraternity brothers. We shared so many inside jokes. I'm going to miss his infectious humor. He was a loving and dedicated husband and father--the father of a special needs child. He was devoted to his family. I pray for them. They certainly don't deserve the hand they have been dealt. It was not only an honor to know him but a blessing to call him my friend. Mike, you will be missed. 3,5-3,5.

  This loss made me stop in my tracks and reflect. This time of year has always been a time of reflection for me but Mike's passing riveted that process into my brain. The relationships we have with others are so fragile at times. How could I have known the last time I saw him at a another fraternity brother's dad's funeral that it would be the last time we'd shake hands and look into each other's eyes? He wrote me recently to congratulate me on the success of my book, Texas In Her Own Words. With everything going on in his life, he stopped to congratulate me. Imagine that. Friends and family are such precious commodities in this life. Treat each one as the gem they are. Not one of us is promised tomorrow...Never have I been more aware of how true that expression is than these past couple of days. So this Thanksgiving...hug your friends and family--appreciate what they mean to you. Take a moment to ponder the hole they will leave if they suddenly were no longer there.

  As the old saw goes...the show must go on. Even with the heavy heart yesterday, I spoke before the Executive Women in Texas Government. It was my second year to perform for them. I love doing their conference. It's top notch from top to bottom.Today, I'm off to present my 'Inventing Texas' speech to the Friends of the Library in San Saba, TX--a couple of hours up the road. We'll have a quiet Thanksgiving at home and then I'm on the road to Beaumont & Port Neches to bury my friend. I apologize if this post comes off as too much of a downer...my point is simple. I simply ask you to be thankful this holiday for the treasures you possess--the people around you.  Happy Thanksgiving to you & yours wherever this post finds you.

Down Time

It's time to take advantage of some 'down time.' That doesn't mean there isn't always something to do. Since my last post, I've done the 1st annual Manor Book & Arts Festival in Manor, TX. It's put on by an author friend of mine, Kim Taylor. It was small but that's not uncommon for the first event like this.  It's always good to support a friend's endeavor. We're looking for even more success next year.

I also did the 1st annual Burnet Book Festival in Burnet, TX. I have never been to a book event where the authors were so pampered and treated so well. The folks in Burnet have really done a bang up job for their first time out. We sold some books but made some wonderful contacts. Mark it on your calendar for next year--third weekend in October. Nothing quite like the Texas Hill country in the fall.

  I also want to thank the Pflugerville Rotary Club for asking me to play in their annual Celebrity Golf Tournament for charity. I understand they made a lot of money for the Children's Hospital. Good for them.  My week has been spent meeting with other authors in various stages of publication. I met with Suzanne Freyjadis-Chuberka who is the author of a Young Adult novel about female pirates...there were a bunch of them by the way. She's looking for an agent...so if you just happen to know YA agent looking for a manuscript...lemme know, I'll get them hooked up.

Another former work colleague has started her own publishing company. Dana Smith and I once worked at Hoovers.com together. It's a long story (for another day) but she was instrumental in the transition of that company's transistion from printed books to an online reference company. It was crazy in the early days. I know, I was there. Dana has formed, Texana Publishing. She offers several services to writers and potential authors. I can promise you this about her...her rates are reasonable and she knows the business of publishing. If you don't get a grip on the business side of publishing...you WILL be behind the 8-ball. You DON'T want to be there. Let her help you. You can reach her at www.TexanaPublishing.com and tell her I sent ya. I don't get anything for the recommendation except the satisfaction of knowing I've helped someone go down the right road to publication.

On tap now is the Texas Author Speak seminar in Salado this Saturday. It's for a group of Texas authors who want to speak to groups, organizations or schools. I'm pleased to be a charter member. Speaking of membership, I was just recently voted onto the Writer's League of Texas Board of Directors. I pray I'm worthy of the honor. I promise to bust my hiney to do a good job in that capacity. I do promise this much...I will listen intently to the members.  Well that's it for now.  Think about it...if you need a speaker...drop me a line.  Talk to you soon.