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John Anderson - EzineArticles.com Expert Author
John Anderson is a graduate of the University of Minnesota. He is married to Evelyn and has two grown children, Clint and Katie. After many years selling stamps and other collectibles he has become a full-time writer. His first novel, The Cellini Masterpiece, was published by iUniverse under the pen name of Raymond John. He also was an intelligence analyst with the Army and Navy Reserves. Over the years, John and his wife have ... [More]
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John Anderson Email Alerts
- Kid's Write the Darnedest Things
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Humor] As Art Carney once said, Children say the Darndest Things. They write the darndest things, too. Here's proof.
- Writing A Novel--How True Does It Have to Be?
[Writing-and-Speaking:Writing] The furor over James Frey's book, A Million Little Pieces, has spilled over into the whole of the publishing industry. Will it have an effect on fiction?
- Hamas Victorious - A Disaster or a Blessing in Disguise
[News-and-Society:Politics] President Bush was thrown into a quandary when Hamas won the parliamentary elections in Palestine. In his words, his main reason for remaining in Iraq is to spread democracy across the Middle East. What he didn't expect is that the wrong people would be democratically elected. Is Hamas' victory a disaster, or a possibility for a breakthrough. The example of Richard Nixon and China may be a blueprint.
- Where are You Scrooge McDuck and the Rest of My Comic Book Collection?
[Arts-and-Entertainment] My pile of comics sat undisturbed on a shelf in my parent's basement for more than forty years. Then one day they were gone. The collection would have provided a nice college fund for my children.
- Cheapest Can Be Best-An Underground Tour of Malta
[Travel-and-Leisure] So your're thinking about travelling to Malta? Great choice. Here's how to do it economically and have a wonderful time while you're there.
- #2 in Series--If You're Going to Malta, Be Sure to See-The Soleado Guest House in Sliema
[Arts-and-Entertainment] If you're anything like me, you prefer guest houses and bed & breakfasts to four-star hotels. You get to meet a lot of interesting people that way. One guest house I highly recommend is the Soleado in Sliema.
- #1 in Series: If You're Going to Malta, Be Sure to See.... Maqluba
[Travel-and-Leisure] Congratulations on picking a wonderful vacation spot. As one of my readers said, "Malta rocks." It does indeed, and it IS a rock. My series is intended to point little-known places to visit. The first is Maqluba.
- Arcade Cards -- The First Game Images From Machines
[Arts-and-Entertainment] Penny Arcades have been around since the 19th Century. With machines offering games and other forms of entertainment, they were the precursors to pinball machines, bagatelles and juke boxes. But they also offered images on heavy cardboard. Vended from machines, these cards were the naughty "nudies" and double entendres of adult humor. They also poked fun at oranizations such as the Elks and the Masons. This is the story of two such cards.
- Adoption Runs in Our Family Part II
[Home-and-Family] Is my birth-mother still alive? Do I have brothers or sisters somewhere. Every adopted person asks these questions. At the time my wife and I were adopted, the book was supposed to be closed at the time our birth-mother gave us up, so we could never find out. This is the story of the different paths Evie and I took to find our birth-families.
- Adoption Runs in Our Family - Part I
[Home-and-Family] Our family is pretty much the same as many families in America. We are a family of four living in a quiet area of western Minneapolis: husband, wife, son and daughter. No one would consider exceptional, and we aren't except for one thing--we're all adopted.
- Mabel Seeley-A Classic Mystery Author Rediscovered
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Humanities] From the 1930s to 1950s, Mabel Seeley was a respected mystery writer who set her novels in the wilds of Northern Minnesota. Though quite well-known at the time, she has largely disappeared from sight until recently. Now her seven mystery novels are being reprinted by the Afton Historical Press. Readers consider her a great find.
- A Christmas Story-The Best Christmas Movie Ever Made
[Home-and-Family:Holidays] In 1983 my son badgered me into taking him to see A Christmas Story. I wasn't very enthusiastic. The Trailers on TV didn't seem to be promising, but I went anyway. I'm sure glad I did. Rarely in my life have I been so entertained. No other movie I've ever seen did a better job of catching the spirit of the time I grew up in the 1940s. We have it on tape, and it's one of the most-watched in our library as well as an annual Christmas event.
- Three All-Time Greatest All-Star Television Advertising Gaffes
[Business:Advertising] As one who has been around for the entire history of mass-marketed television, I have seen hundreds of thousands of commercials. The first I remember was for Maxwell House. Why I remember it I have no idea. The last is a clever ad for Target. In between are countless ads I have forgotten. But three will always remain firly etched in my mind. These are three of the greatest Ad Gaffes of all time.
- Sudoku-The Logic Puzzle That Can Drive You Crazy
[Arts-and-Entertainment] I love Sudoku. And I hat it, too. There's nothing more satisfying than sitting with a puzzle for a half-hour or more and finally fitting all the numbers in place. On the other hand, there is nothing more frustrating that wasting an hour or more and not be able to solve them. Even though I'm just an amateur, I have found some paths to solution. Mayybe they will help you.
- Similar Near-Death Experiences of Nikola Tesla and Harry Houdini
[Arts-and-Entertainment] In the course of my life I have been a great fan of Harry Houdini and Nikola Tesla. Both were remarkable men, considered to be the best and brightest in their respective fields. Rereading Tesla's Autobiography I came across a frightening near-death experience that happened when he was a youth. It reminded me of a remarkably similar event recalled by Houdini.
- Lionel Davidson--Master of the Thriller Novel
[Book-Reviews:Mysteries-Thrillers] I didn't discover Lionel Davidson until I was in my forties, some twenty years after he had written most of his books. But from the first page of The Night of Wencelas I was hooked. When I got to the Menorah Men, I was convinced that there was no better writer ofr the thriller. I am still convinced, twenty years later still.
- The Night of the Hunter-One of the Scariest Movies Ever Made
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Movies-TV] Werewolves, vampires and mummies didn't scare me very much. They didn't seem real enough. But the evil parson in The Night of the Hunter scared the bejabbers out of me. He was plenty real. This long overlooked classic should be seen by everyone who enjoys a good thrill.
- Golden Gopher Goofs--Two that Got Away
[Recreation-and-Sports:Football] Under the legendary Bernie Bierman, the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers were premier football teams and annual contenders (often winners) of National Championships in the 1930s and 1940s. Then came World War II and the program never quite got back on its feet. It had its chance in the early 1950s when a young alum named Bud Wilkinson applied for the coaching job. Instead, the athletic department chose Wes Fesler. It may have been the worst decision in the history of college football.
- How Television Shows Reflect the State of the National Psyche
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Movies-TV] In the 1950s, westerns ruled the airwaves. Gunsmoke, Have Gun Will Travel, Rawhide, to name just a few, were the most popular shows. Since then, Spies, Detectives, and police have taken turns at the top of the charts. Today, Forensics seem to be the hot topics. Why? Do the popular shows reflect something in the National Psyche? I think they do.
- A POD Person Strikes Back
[Writing-and-Speaking:Book-Marketing] In the book-selling world, anyone who publishes by Print-on-Demand faces incredible difficulties getting publicity and recognition. Libraries are especially difficult customers. Unfortunately the reputation is deserved in many cases. When it isn't, it's just another obstacle for the author to hurtle.
- The Cat Man of Malta
[Travel-and-Leisure] Travel has many joys: Getting to see the landmarks, eating different food, living with a new language are just some. But to my way of thinking, the best of all is getting to meet the unforgettable characters that invariably pop us no matter where you go. I have been to Malta many times, but on my last trip I met one such a person.
- Schatzlein's Saddle--A Thriving Business and Community Landmark for 98 Years
[Business:Small-Business] In 1907 Emil Schatzlein came to Minneapolis, Minnesota, from a tiny village in Germany. He set up a harness shop in a small wooden building on Lake Street, at the edge of the city. 98 years later, Schatzlein's is still a neighborhood landmark. Here's why.
- The Surprising Origin of THE F Word
[Reference-and-Education:Languages] Scholars have been puzzling and arguing over the origin of the "F word" for at least two centuries. Considered at one time to be the height of vulgarity and its usage by children to be cause for corporal punishment, it is now a common, if much unwanted, verb in the English Language. Where did it start? The origin may surprise you.
- Kilroy Was Here and Still Is
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Humanities] Kilroy first made his appearance during the Second World War. He quickly became a household word and the little man with his nose over the top of a fence was as common as gang graffiti is today. Most people realized his connection with the American GI, but no one could tell me why he showed up on boxcars. I found out from the horse's mouth.
- Joseph Calleia: The Bit Part Actors' Actor From the Island of Malta
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Humanities] Most people today have never heard of the Maltese-born actor, Joseph Calleia. But if you're as big a fan of old movies as I am, you certainly would recognize him. The long-faced actor with the soulful eyes and little round white hat was in at least 57 movies, usually playing a crook. His career began in 1931 and lasted more than three decades.
- Is There Magic in the Numbers in Lotto Games? Some Observations
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Casino-Gambling] Lottery Games have been a fad for at least thirty. I have been playing PowerBall for at least the last fifteen and won a hundred dollars once. Did I have a secret? No. But there are some interesting things to understand about this game of large numbers.
- The Joys and Profits of Deltiology (Collecting Post Cards)
[Recreation-and-Sports] As a historian, I have always had an interest in antique postcards. When I started to deal in them, the profit motive entereed the picture. Now, thirty years later, some of the prices amaze me. Intelligent buying can make postcard collecting a profitable hobby.
- Analysis of The Monkey's Paw by W. W. Jacobs: A Study in Lateral Thinking
[Self-Improvement:Creativity] The Monkey's Paw first appeared in Harper's Monthly 105, (September of 1902). This tale of an elderly English couple's dreaam-come-true to receive three wishes has been a staple of High School English classes for years. It is taught as an example of the old adage "Be careful what you wish for..." But, I always thought the couple asked for the wrong thing with their last wish. See what you think.
- My Unforgettable Jaunt to 'Eh-land' Or How I Learned How to Stop Worrying and Love Canada
[Travel-and-Leisure] I spent Thanksgiving of 2004 in Toronto. I wasn't sure I would make it. The thousand mile trip turned into a pilgrimage, with unexpected hazards along the way.
- Miracles and the Church of Ta Pinu
[Travel-and-Leisure] In March of 1994 my wife and I made our first trip to the island of Malta. I had read about it for much of my life, and the time had finally come for us to go. We found a night flight leaving Gatwick and arrived late at night. I expected that we would have an intersting time, but I didn't really think it was possible that a trip to a cathedral could possibly save my wife Evelyn's life. Especially since we are not even Roman Catholic. But both of us are convinced that a tiny bit of metal she bought could have kept her alive when she was struck by a speeding car two months later.
- Language School, Chapter One, A Novel in Progress
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews] The following is the first chapter of a novel in progress which is the sequeal to The Cellini Masterpiece, published by iUniverse in October 2005 (ISBN 0595328059) Hopefully the book will be ready for publication by 12/2005.
- What Do You Do When Your Child is Smarter than You?
[Home-and-Family:Parenting] Clint was our first child, adopted at the age of three months. We soon learned that in many ways he was far more intelligent than either of us. Raising him has been a challenge, but also a great experience.
- Buying At Auction: 6 Hints to Make You a Successful Bidder
[Internet-and-Businesses-Online:Auctions] Auctions are fun. They are also serious business. Becoming a successful buyer isn't difficult if you know how...
- The Saga of Puffed Wheat Anderson, A Minnesota Legend
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Humanities] Do you ever wonder how Quaker made Puffed Wheat and Puffed Rice. The inventor of the process, Alex Anderson of Minnesota, was a Renaissance Man whose legacy lives on in the Anderson House in Red Wing, Minnesota. If it weren't for his invention he might have been famous for another reason. The history of how Quaker marketed his product is also a story in itself.
- Oscar
[Pets] We should have known you were a doofus before we bought you, what with two previous owners and two tries at obedience school. But we took you anyway. Now that you're gone I realize we were meant for each other and that five years can be a long lifetime.
- Why Malta? A Mystery-Thriller Author Tells Why
[Book-Reviews:Mysteries-Thrillers] Everywhere I go, Maltese people always ask why I set my novel on Malta. There are many good reasons why, the best being it couldn't have happened anywhere else.
- How Logic Puzzles Can Help You Become a Better Problem Solver
[Self-Improvement:Creativity] Logic was once of the great philosophical arts that was taught in every lyceum. It still is a required course for law school in many of the university's curriculum. You don't have to go to college to learn how to use it. Logic puzzles can be found in most magazine racks and involve a number of skills that can help you learn how to become a better problem solver and more organized thinking.
- My Greatest Stamp Find
[Home-and-Family:Crafts-Hobbies] In nearly every business, knowledge is power. Sometimes the payoff can be much larger than expected.
- FIREWORKS--OR, OOH, AAH, How Do They Do That?
[Home-and-Family:Holidays] Ever wonder how fireworks are made and work? This will give you a down and dirty explanation. But warning, are you sure you really want to know? It may be like a magician revealing how she does her tricks. If you're the hard-headed type, read on.
- The ENTP Inventor Writes A Novel
[Writing-and-Speaking:Writing] What happens when a Myers-Briggs ENTP inventor tries to write a novel. It takes 30 years to finish for one thing.
- Is the Luck of the Irish Necessarily Good?
[Travel-and-Leisure] Adventures and misadventures on the Emerald Isle told by a Norwegian From Minnesota
- My Adventurous Trip to Malta
[Travel-and-Leisure] I had written a novel entitled The Cellini Masterpiece under the penname of Raymond John. Since I do my own distribution, publicity and promotion, I thought it was essential to set up a network in Malta. The following is an account of our adventure.
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