A Busy 2013 - Part 3

I still don't know where 2013 went.

While October wrapped up with another golf FAM trip, this time to PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Here comes November and December.

November

November offered a little down time on a trip to Blue Ridge, GA in the North Georgia Mountains.

I received a ton of great comments on my big fall golf article that ran on thefront page of the AJC "Go Guide"

I also was going crazy with product testing and reviews, while covering a few college basketball games and the opening on Kennesaw State's new football offices.

I also was invited by Doug Evans of Fox 5 on to talk about Black Friday apps on "Tech Check" on the Fox 5 News Edge.

December

The month of December is always crazy, this year even more so.

Product reviews and gift guides.

Along with more TV.  Appearances with Doug Evans on Fox 5, 11 Alive's Sports Extra and the weekend morning show in Macon, GA on WMAZ with Suzanne Lawler.

Also the annual USTA Australian Open Wildcard Playoff in Norcross, GA where I again participated i nthe media match.  This time with Vicky Duval as my partner.

I know I have missed a few things. 

One was the 50th "Wireless Wednesday" on Sports Radio 92.9 The Game in Atlanta with Mitch Evans and the 50th "Tech of Sports" on NetcastStudio.  Both are so fun to do.

I also was informed late in the year, that I had won two important writing awards for tennis.

The USTA Southern Section's Marc Kaplan Media Excellence Award and the USTA Georgia Tennis Writer of the Year.  I will accept these in Jan and Feb. of 2014.

Also, last but not least.  A book.

Former USC tennis player and two-time American Danielle Lao has been putting various thoughts down in an online blog about her experiences playing college tennis and more. I gave her a little encouragement and with her I co-authored "The Invaluable Experience" which has been a top-seller in the Kindle Store on Amazon as a tennis book.

The Invaluable Experience has been a great experience to be a part of. Danielle is a fantastic writer and she has lots of advice and ideas to share.

Download this book for $3.99.

Don't want to leave anyone out. 2014 will even be busier.

Thanks to all my friends, collegues, and those that read what I write.

A Busy 2013 - Part 1

Before I focus on what is already going to be a busy 2014, I have to reflect on what a busy 2013 was.

Not only with events, travel, and writing over 800 pieces, but also meeting some great new friends, collegues, PR people and even co-authoring a top-selling book on Amazon.  Oh, I also won a couple awards- not sure how that happened.

2013

January:

The annual trip to the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando with Courtney Capps and Brian Katrek.

Exclusive interview with John O'Hurley - better known as J. Peterman from Seinfeld at the PGA Show.

Starting doing the "Tech Tuesday" gadget/tech segment on Sirisu/XM PGA Tour Radio.

February:

U.S. National Indoors in Memphis - ATP World Tour 500 event and WTA International Event

March/April:

College hoops with the Final Four in Atlanta and the SEC Women's Tournament at the Gwinnett Arena.

Special access from the NCAA - tons of interviews and features.  Most memorable: talking with Coach Bob Huggins as he participated in a pizza cooking contest.

My Atlanta Journal Constitiution women's running safety article was a rousing success and picked up by almost 60 newspapers around the country. 

Also the PGA Champion's Tour returned to the Atlanta area with the Greater Gwinneet Championship with Bernhard Langer taking the title.  This event will get bigger and better.

May/June

May was busy with product reviews, college tennis, and my first appearance on NBC 11 Alive's Sport Extra with my good friend Sam Crenshow talking about sports gadgets for Mother's Day.

Also the 2013 U.S. Open National Playoffs began in Atlanta.

And the NCAA Men's Golf Championships were played at Capital City Club - Crabapple Coure in Roswell.

I was back on 11 Alive's "Sports Extra" with Sam Crenshaw for Father's Day gift ideas for the sports-minded Dad.

Kindle Free Pick of the Week: You Are a Writer (So Start Acting Like One)

A quick and fun read for anyone who ever thought about putting pen to paper.

Hi, my name's Jeff. And I'm a writer. But I didn't always think of myself that way. In fact, for years, I dreamed of one day becoming a writer. But secretly, I was afraid of the risk. It took a gentle but firm rebuke from a friend to realize the dead-end course I was on, to finally understand who I was. After that, I was never the same.

One day, a friend asked me about my dream. I said I didn't know. "Really?" he said. "That's too bad -- because I would've thought it was to be a writer."

That hit me hard. I told him that was true. I did hope to be a writer. Maybe. Some day. If I was lucky.

He shook his head and smiled: "Jeff, you don't have to want to be a writer. You are a writer. You just need to write." So that's what I did, and it changed everything.

This is an eBook about a journey of becoming a writer. It's a guide to writing and publishing, including how to navigate the world of platform-building and getting your work noticed. Mostly, it's about believing in yourself. About the process of self-doubt we all go through and the declarations we make to do what were made to do.

Whether you realize it or not, you are a writer. You just need to write.

Tonight on "The Tech of Sports" - Paul Shirley

He's a writer, he's a former Academic All-American Division I college basketball player, he's a former NBA player.

He loves music and loves to travel.  He's 6'10" and a renassiance man with a unique perspective of what is happening around him and happening in the world.

His book, "Can I Keep My Jersey?" is a must read for sports and basketball fans along with anyone who has dreamed of playing in the NBA or on a professional basketball team.

I'm of course talking about Paul Shirley and he will be my guest tonight on "The Tech of Sports."  We may talk some basketball, we may talk some tech, but we'll talk other things as well. 

His book would make a great Father's Day gift.

Come by tonight at http://netcaststudio.com/live/  at 7pm EDT to hear the wit and wisdon of Paul Shirley.  He's @paulthenshirley on Twitter.