Saturday, 26 April 2025

On the Road with Bronco Billy, now on Audiobook – An Interesting Road Trip in a Big Rig

Something to listen to during a long drive, whether or not you are a long-haul driver. Or maybe just at home, while contemplating a road trip

On the Road with Bronco Billy

Sit back and go on a ten day trucking trip in a big rig, through western North America, from Alberta to Texas, and back again. Explore the countryside, learn some trucking lingo, and observe the shifting cultural norms across this great continent.

Amazon U.S.: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X2IRHSK

Amazon U.K.: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00X2IRHSK

Amazon Canada: http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00X2IRHSK

Amazon Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00X2IRHSK

Amazon Germany: http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00X2IRHSK

Amazon France: https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B00X2IRHSK

Amazon Spain: https://www.amazon.es/dp/B00X2IRHSK

Amazon Italy: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B00X2IRHSK

Amazon Netherlands: https://www.amazon.nl/dp/B00X2IRHSK

Amazon Japan: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00X2IRHSK

Amazon Brazil: https://www.amazon.com.br/dp/B00X2IRHSK

Amazon Mexico: https://www.amazon.com.mx/dp/B00X2IRHSK

Amazon India: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B00X2IRHSK

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What follows is an account of a ten day journey through western North America during a working trip, delivering lumber from Edmonton Alberta to Dallas Texas, and returning with oilfield equipment. The writer had the opportunity to accompany a friend who is a professional truck driver, which he eagerly accepted. He works as a statistician for the University of Alberta, and is therefore is generally confined to desk, chair, and computer. The chance to see the world from the cab of a truck, and be immersed in the truck driving culture was intriguing. In early May 1997 they hit the road.

Some time has passed since this journal was written and many things have changed since the late 1990’s. That renders the journey as not just a geographical one, but also a historical account, which I think only increases its interest.

We were fortunate to have an eventful trip - a mechanical breakdown, a near miss from a tornado, and a large-scale flood were among these events. But even without these turns of fate, the drama of the landscape, the close-up view of the trucking lifestyle, and the opportunity to observe the cultural habits of a wide swath of western North America would have been sufficient to fill up an interesting journal.

The travelogue is about 20,000 words, about 60 to 90 minutes of reading, at typical reading speeds.

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The Summer Cottage Mystery, now on Audiobook – A nice gentle kid’s story,(Amazon)

The Summer Cottage Mystery – A nice gentle kid’s story, now on Audiobook (Amazon)

It’s great to read a story out loud to a child, but every now and again that’s not practical. In such a case an audible book can fill in. You can give it a try, with The Summer-Cottage Mystery.

The Summer Cottage Mystery

Here's a nice children's story by Science Fiction and Romance writer Helena Puumala. Yes, she does kid's stories too. Read it to a younger child (pre-school, elementary or early junior-high), or read it yourself to bring back memories of those long, lazy childhood days at the lake, during summer vacation, when your biggest worry in life was a lost kitten. Note that this is a short story of about 8500 words.

It is just 99 cents U.S. (equivalent in other currencies) and is sometimes on free promotion. And, of course, it’s on Kindle Unlimited.

It is available on Amazon, at the following:

Amazon U.S.: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N0B4TYY

Amazon U.K.: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00N0B4TYY

Amazon Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00N0B4TYY

Amazon Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00N0B4TYY

Amazon Germany: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B00N0B4TYY

Amazon France: https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B00N0B4TYY

Amazon Italy: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B00N0B4TYY

Amazon Spain: https://www.amazon.es/dp/B00N0B4TYY

Amazon Netherlands: https://www.amazon.nl/dp/B00N0B4TYY

Amazon Mexico: https://www.amazon.com.mx/dp/B00N0B4TYY

Amazon Brazil: https://www.amazon.com.br/dp/B00N0B4TYY

Amazon India: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B00N0B4TYY

Amazon Japan: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00N0B4TYY

Thursday, 24 April 2025

A Modest Hockey Proposal – McDavid Leaves the Oilers, with the Hows and Whys of It

A Modest Hockey Proposal – McDavid Leaves the Oilers, with the Hows and the Whys of It

Note: This is just meant in the spirit of fun and irony, not to be taken seriously by lawyers and such.

1987 – Gretzky traded/sold after about 10 years with Oilers (including WHA).
He went to L.A. - the idea was to lock down hockey as a major league sport in the U.S., especially Southern California (and southern regions in general).
The deal was between Pocklington and McNall – but obviously the NHL brain-trust must have also been involved, at least to some extent.
Gretzky was “wasted” in Edmonton – he was a big draw all over North America, but it would create more publicity if he was playing in a larger market. More money and prestige for everyone.
Flash forward to 2020s.
McDavid has had about 10 years with the Oilers, came very close to a Stanley Cup.
McDavid is “wasted” in Edmonton – he is a big draw all over, but would create more publicity if he was playing in a larger American market. More money and prestige for everyone.
But how to move him to a different city?
Solution: Oilers owner and management (Katz and company) insist on keeping under-performing goalie(s), though it is obvious that this is not working.
This frustrates McDavid, so he wants to go to a contender with standard or better goal-tending.

Predictions:
Oilers insist that Skinner is the man, this summer. McDavid decides “that’s it, I’m out of here”. Bonus: the wife goes to a bigger, more important city, as did Gretzky’s wife.
McDavid does not go to the Leafs or any other Canadian team (sorry Leafs fans). The NHL (i.e. Bettman) sees no point in that, they want him in an American market.
Once this is accomplished, the Oilers will shop around for a new, better goalie, and obtain one. That will console the local fans, at least somewhat.
Which market? Probably one that is promising for expansion of the league’s presence in the U.S.. But probably not one where hockey is already firmly established (not New York, for example). Possible locations: Utah, Seattle San Jose or Columbus.

Questions:

Is this crazy conspiracy thinking? No, this makes perfect sense from the NHL’s point of view. Furthermore, pro sports are “entertainment” so questions about fairness are irrelevant.
Why would Katz do it? He has his new hockey arena. He doesn’t need McDavid to draw fans in Edmonton. Leon Draisaitl will still remain with the Oilers, so that will assuage the local fans (especially if the Oilers sign a new goalie, shortly after McDavid leaves).
What’s in it for Katz and Oilers management?
- Many possible hockey or non-hockey business opportunities or positions might suddenly open up (though it would just be a coincidence).
- Plus, there would be a status gain for this development “it was best for the good of the league and the game”. Edmonton fans would grumble, but they will always show up at the rink and on the TV.
Would this be considered anti-trust behaviour on behalf of Katz and Bettman (possibly others as well)? Hard to say, but it would be difficult to prove anyway.

Tuesday, 15 April 2025

The Magnetic Anomaly - The Novel (Soon to be published on Amazon)

The Magnetic Anomaly - The Novel

The novel version of The Magnetic Anomaly is now finished, and will be up on Amazon early in May 2025 (target date). Some reader/reviewers were interested to know where the short story would go, once it was turned into a novel. To be honest, I didn’t know myself, until I started writing it. But often the process of writing takes on a life of its own. I think it turned out quite nicely, in my humble but obviously not disinterested opinion.

Fortunately, my beta readers agreed with that assessment. I hope other readers agree as well. Here is a bit of feedback from one of them:

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Hi Dale,

I finished reading the Magnetic Anomaly. Excellent read! I really liked that I couldn’t predict what was going to happen next, so many unexpected twists and turns. Some good “edge of my seat” moments when I couldn’t put the book down cause I had to find out how things turned out. The story flows smoothly and kept me interested. Some really cool concepts, for example how the spaceship and pods travelled through the rock. And of course I love a happy ending…..can’t beat that. Even if I didn’t know the author I would be looking for more books by the author.

Will there be print copies available when you put it on Amazon? I assume you’re putting it there. I plan on getting a print copy if they become available.

Thanks again for letting me read the book in advance.

Take care,
Kaye
Sent from my iPad
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The Magnetic Anomaly – A Science Fiction Novel: Table of Contents

The Table of Contents is shown below. It gives some indication of the where the story will go, as well providing an explanation to the mystery of the magnetic anomaly, that the two main characters discovered at the diamond exploration camp, in the far north.

Alex and Mary meet up with some other people involved in the mystery and eventually get swept up in a mission to solve the problem that the mystery presents to the Earth. At the same time, their personal stories evolve, as do the stories of new characters.

The Magnetic Anomaly – A Science Fiction Novel: Table of Contents
Chapter 1 – The Magnetic Anomaly (5640)    5
Chapter 2 – The Radioactive Anomaly (4226)    19
Chapter 3 – The Battle of the Tablelands (4701)    30
Chapter 4 – Fight and Flight In the Alien Tunnels (2894)    42
Chapter 5 – Special Ops (6857 words)    49
Chapter 6 – Jack and the Underground Base (2281)    68
Chapter 7 – Debriefing (3526)    74
Chapter 8 – Flight from the Base (2778)    83
Chapter 9 – Evasive Manoeuvres (3129)    91
Chapter 10 – Orbital Mechanics (1869)    99
Chapter 11 – Crash Dive (1199 words)    104
Chapter 12 – A Walk in the Snow (2914 words)    108
Chapter 13 – Phillipe (1776 words)    116
Chapter 14 – Operation High Jump, the Official Story (1453 words)    121
Chapter 15 – Operation High Jump, the Unofficial Story (912 words)    125
Chapter 16 – Operation Tabarin, the Secret SAS Mission (4806 words)    128
Chapter 17 – Treason and Murder (2391 words)    140
Chapter 18 – A Cold Goodbye (1192 words)    147
Chapter 19 – The Surprise (363 words)    151
Chapter 20 – The New Base (1800 words)    153
Chapter 21 – Preparations (2738 words)    159
Chapter 22 – Another Debriefing (3060 words)    168
Chapter 23 – Phillipe’s Dossier: The Threat from Below (1695 words)    176
Chapter 24 – Are we being Followed? (1925 words)    181
Chapter 25 – Locating the AI Base (3045 words)    187
Chapter 26 – Into the Adit (3973 words)    195
Chapter 27 – Planning to Take Out the Trigger Weapon (4727 words)    205
Chapter 28 – Connections and Mergers (2215 words)    218
Chapter 29 – Descent (2160 words)    224
Chapter 30 – Prodding a Magnetic Mine Field (5237 words)    230
Chapter 31 – Aftermath (2993 words)    244
Chapter 32 – Respite on a South Pacific Island (2887 words)    253
Chapter 33 – The Threat from Above (1911 words)    261
Chapter 34 – Preparing to Embark on an Interplanetary Mission (1631 words)    266
Chapter 35 – On the Theory of Diverting An Asteroid (4400 words)    271
Chapter 36 – An Encounter with a Beast and a Shepherd (5102 words)    283
Chapter 37 – The Ultimate Kill Shot (7565 words)    298
Chapter 38 – A Visitor, then Home (6660 words)    319

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The Magnetic Anomaly: A Science Fiction Short Story

And here are a few reviews (Amazon and Goodreads) about the original short story, which encouraged me to complete the story into a full-length novel.

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The Magnetic Anomaly: A Science Fiction Story

“A geophysical crew went into the Canadian north. There were some regrettable accidents among a few ex-military who had become geophysical contractors after their service in the forces. A young man and young woman went temporarily mad from the stress of seeing that. They imagined things, terrible things. But both are known to have vivid imaginations; we have childhood records to verify that. It was all very sad. That’s the official story.”

You can purchase it for all of 99 cents. Alternatively, keep your eyes open for a free promotions, which occur periodically. Or, get it with Kindle Unlimited.

Amazon:

U.S.: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0176H22B4

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0176H22B4

Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0176H22B4

France: https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0176H22B4

Italy: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0176H22B4

Netherlands: https://www.amazon.nl/dp/B0176H22B4

Spain: https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0176H22B4

Japan: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0176H22B4

Mexico: https://www.amazon.com.mx/dp/B0176H22B4

Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0176H22B4

Germany: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0176H22B4