With todays prompt from Jetpack via WordPress, I was pretty pumped to share my story… because it’s a SPOOKY one! Bwahahahahaahahahaha!!!
Okay, maybe not spooky enough to warrant all the maniacal laughter but it does had a nice chill and thrill to the day. I’m speaking of my favorite online radio site; Halloween Radio.
More terrific and terrifying tunes than you can shake a tombstone at!
While there are a handful of Halloween themed online radio stations and playlists available, they all pale in comparison to what you will be treated to at Halloweenradio.net . Plus, being working as a traditional radio station, the playlist never stops and you never know exactly what your going to get. So suspenseful! However there are options available via the main page.
You can choose from oldies, the main feed, kid friendly or ambient sounds in regards to the channels they offer. Each and every one of them go far beyond “The Monster Mash” and Michael Jackson’s “”Thriller”. Way beyond!
There are so many tunes from the genre out there that if you’re a fan of the creepiest time of the year, Halloween Radio will most seriously make you scream with delight all year round!
Greetings dear readers! Hope 2023 is treating you well. It’s still new so I can’t say I totally trust it yet. 😉 That’s okay though, I’ve got my little doppelgängers to keep me safe and inspired.
And n all pseudo seriousness, me and mine are moving into the new calendar cycle feeling pretty good. Almost as good as Superman living his best life…
If only everyone could be so super chill.
The mad rush that begins Thanksgiving and concludes the day after the new year starts has once again been a whirlwind. Food with the fam, Black Friday at the day job, my birthday where I get spoiled by my girls every year. This one with more gingerbread…
Say what you will but they’re cute!
Then follow that up with my baby girl turning 13 and then of course Christmas where everybody gets some extra TLC (Tendered Loads of Capitalism) from Santa 😉 He stole the show this year with this one…
I must say, while it didn’t fit under the tree, the Christmas magic certainty gleaned from the screen.And everyone was drawn to the retro pixels.
And no Christmas season would be complete without a final stop of the year to Silver Dollar city where the lights were certainly stunning…
A fun slice of Americana.
Still… not as stunning as my fun loving Mrs.
Yeah. She’s mine 🙂 #wishyouwereme.com
And now the dust is settling and I get to take this time to sorta relax and observe my gifts and what all they mean to me.
Zorro rounds out my new “A-Team” of Funko Pops. I pity the fool who crosses these law dogs. So very much more to the story of this figure taking a place on my wall but we’ll save that for later. Much love to you my brotha! This site here is still one I’m so surprised and grateful that they came to pass. Never have to settle for Horshack again. (Again another story for another time).
On the end of it all, 2022 was what it was and was and despite excuses we can all come up with and blame, in the end every year and more importantly every day is what we make of it. For me, moving forward that will never again be forgotten nor taken for granted.
This toy box isn’t a “business”. It’s a way of life full of opportunity and adventures just waiting to be had.
“What a shocking header, Jim!?! Are you a Satanist? Pagan? Occultist? Harvester of Sorrows?” No. I have a sense of humor and made an animated show to prove it. Warner Brothers and YouTube however, didn’t. So sensitive.
“What a shocking header, Jim!?! Are you a Satanist? Pagan? Occultist? Harvester of Sorrows?” No. I have a sense of humor and made an animated show to prove it. Warner Brothers and YouTube however, didn’t. So sensitive.
The complete bits from the program Warner Brothers and YouTube said was needed to be banned. But have no fear, you can still watch the Satanic Rites of Dracula via Bobby Gammonster’s channel or rent / buy it from Warner Brothers. However I wouldn’t recommend those asshats for anything… ever. I truly have come despise the WB long before this by the way. They are IMO the most glaring example of what makes corporate entities truly horrible.
But seriously, Warner Brothers had a copyright strike placed on the full presentation that featured the old Hammer films production of “The Satanic Rites of Dracula” within seconds of the upload completed. Only between the time stamps of just after the 16 minute mark to just after the 44 minute mark. I found this odd as this particular film has been in the public domain for quite a long time but it is not worth the fight because 1. I’d never win and 2. My bits are not an issue. Well, not that I’m aware of yet.
I would like to request “Entertainment” be stricken from their moniker as it is fake news. Asshats.
I always do my best to keep any and all of my content “PG” with the hardest stretch being a “PG-13”. That’s not to be righteous or pious, it’s more a matter of respect for the audience. While one can never, ever, ever guarantee that someone, somewhere won’t be offended, I do make it a point to make sure that what I put out is something I don’t have issues with my own daughter watching. It’s just that simple for me.
All the cool ghouls in the test audience loved the show. 😉
I bring attention to that point as after I was notified that the full feature video was banned and blocked, that YouTube dubbed it as “Age Restricted to persons over 18”. In that claim I have no dispute. By general societies standards… sort of. The film does have a couple of scenes were the sacrifice is bare chested on the alter. I’m sure that must be the issue because the Satanic rituals being portrayed are surely fictional, right? Right! (insert wink, wink, nod, nod).
Again that part doesn’t really bother me. If I were to have aired it on traditional broadcast television, the tah tah scenes would have had to be edited in some way, by either blurring or stretching the frame, etc. What got me though was that they made the decision AFTER the video was blocked and banned and unavailable for ANYONE, ANYWHERE to view it. Not a big deal but just an annoyance brought about by the lords of the algorithms that make those decisions.
No matter, the animated bits are what matter to me and so far, the telescoped sizzle reel that features the complete joke hasn’t been deemed evil and or banned. I’ll let you know if that changes. You’ll actually know if it happens if you can’t see the video below.
This is the sizzle reel for “Conspiracy Cinema” an animated creature feature program that is intended for mature audiences. The bits however I would say are pretty standard late night family fair. Well, so long as you aren’t terrified by talking action figures and a cartoon zombie cowboy.
That rant aside, I do have much greater purposes and usage for the program as a whole as it will be a focal point for a new series I am launching now that will better allow for me to share and teach the steps to the content creation pipeline I’ve shared a couple posts back that has actually been very well received by new readers from around the world.
And to all of y’all I offer a sincere, “Thank you!” and look forward to adding to that method and strategy that could very well help you in your endeavors be they professional or personal. We’re all on this human journey together so I pledge to continue doing the best I can with my experiences to encourage, motivate and inspire you to do the same.
Now, Go Play!
Jim 07/25/2022
P.S. I’m working for in house merchandise creations, tips and affiliate sales… so clicks and a drop in the hat are always appreciated
CHECK THIS OUT! This post in case you missed it, is the first in a series of posts in regards to practicing what I preach in regards to working with intent. In it you will also see examples of the content creation pipeline put into full effect. It’s quite the journey that’s gotten off to a rocky start due to those “things” that are out of one’s control.
One of the things about blogging is that it gives you the opportunity to flush everything out on “digital” paper. This is great because otherwise I’d have probably taken out at least 1% of the worlds paper supply over the last decade. That’s not to say I haven’t done about half of that anyway. You should see the mountain of notebooks, pads and loose stacks of papers and index cards piled up around me.
*** Recommendation Note: At the end of the article you’ll find links to two books I strongly recommend that have helped me tremendously in this portion of the journey. ***
I’ve always been one to advocate brainstorming things out on paper before you ever crack open the microphone or take the first frame of video. The ironic part is, while I do make those notes, I still enjoy the free flow that comes from flying by the seat of my pants. But then comes the missed details that then lead in turn to overthinking things and then a rut of self doubt and fear. It was far less destructive before 2020 but by now (2022) the inner me has a dialogue that goes something like this:
Me pre-2020; “This is a great idea! It makes me laugh! Run with it!”
Me post 2020; “Yeah, but you don’t want to goof this thing up. It needs to be structured and professional.”
Me pre-2020; “You may be right. But I don’t care. Now move out the way, sissy.”
Me post 2020; “You sure are bold. I wish I could be like you.”
Me pre-2020; “Thanks! You can be. Just do it!”
Me post 2020; “But, but, but, but…”
Me pre-2020;” Have fun with that… catch you in post!”
Me post 2020; “I’ll be waiting. With a fine tooth comb, magnifying glass and a giant bottle of self doubt ready for doing shooters.”
That conversation has happened in my head far too often over the past two years and if I’m being honest, a few years prior. It was a slow, trickling process that led to fear induced self doubt and why it can be a bear to break that cycle. Rest assured dear reader that it can be done because I myself am proof in the pudding.
With the evolution of the “Dignity of Work” series going from idea in the back of my head to the notes, to the screen and everywhere else it will be translated into, I came face to face with what I had been self sabotaging myself with; that fear induced self doubt. The kicker was though that I looked busy. Very busy.
I’m sharing this now to hopefully help you break the cycle that you too may be trapped in but not aware of. Let’s start with the basics of it all; “Why am I not getting anywhere? I’ve brain stormed, studied, journaled, experimented and learned so much! What am I doing wring??!?!?!”
Short answer:
Working without clear intent.
To clarify, this goes deeper and more laser focused than simply making a goal to achieve. Working with clear intent is indeed goal setting but more importantly it makes you get very serious about the steps to the end goal, all the while making marked and reaffirming progress everyday.
I’m sharing this with you know not to brag or boast about being back on track but instead to show you that I practice what I preach as we all as creating my own “working with intent” structure to keep myself focused on my own goals. First a little background:
For over a decade, I was in a working environment that left me longing for a team. Wasn’t in the plans or the budget but I refused to let anything like that stop me from seeing a vision come to life. I wanted to create a television show that was normally comprised of at least ten people to handle the heavy lifting (writing, producing, directing, filming, hosting, editing, mixing, graphics, final cut and then distribution, marketing and promotion). I was intent on making it happen so I did it all. I’m still proud of those efforts but man oh man can I see where certain aspects suffered due to the load, especially considering the time schedule I was on. Still, I did it. Numerous shows with numerous episodes, all the while managing my day job duties at the TV station (which included pretty much all of the same multi tasked roles) and being home with the family everyday as close to five o’clock as possible.
It was too much. I can see that now but then, it didn’t matter at all. I had a vision and a regular job to do and a responsibility s a father and husband. I’d be damned to not make it all happen. I can admit that was the piss and vinegar of pride talking. I knew that but again, didn’t care. I was making it happen and eventually it would all pay off. That mindset of course didn’t have a clue about the inevitable burn out that would along with the cuts and bruises of the times that things didn’t go exactly as planned or desired for the final outcome. Also, I didn’t realize what I was doing to myself, my family, the clients and the audience.
In the beginning few years, everything went off without a hitch. Problems on the fly were quickly solved and any bigger issues were handled almost as quick. I brought my “A game” to everything (so I thought) and nothing was impossible or even implausible. I had it all under control. Then the cracks started forming.
I’ll keep the minute details to myself, dear reader but know that all of those cracks did indeed lead to many holes growing and needing patched. They were, but the overall durability of the dam was being compromised. I never saw the full structural failure until 2020. Even then the damage itself wasn’t realized completely. Not until now that is.
You see, what had been an Achilles Heel of mine was the subconscious need to audition and prove myself over and over and over again no matter that I had been doing the thing for decades to great success. But every project and client HAD to be shown that I was capable NOW. Yesterday’s good wasn’t good enough. Talk about a toxic relationship with yourself.
There are some positives to all of that. In needing to fill all of those different roles, learning was incredibly important. Thankfully books and the internet exist so as a need would arise, I could hope online and find an answer, tip, trick or lessons that would get me to a solution. Once again there was a touch of gray on all of those silver linings. Getting overloaded with too much knowledge and arrogant in the same. Think of it as a spiral that leads to quantity over quality.
Again though, there is always a bright side once you can be honest with yourself. The bright side that evolved for me is that while I had overloaded myself with so much knowledge that every idea would branch of way too far and wide, thanks to the past couple of years.
Here’s what I’m getting at and what I’m giving you today:
CLICK HERE to download a PDF of my content creation pipeline.
This pipeline maps out what I see as a logical way to progress from idea to multi platform outlets. Not to be a hypocrite considering a lot of what I’m saying in this post, but what I am saying is that sometimes you have to do things as a solo act and this method will help.
In a team environment it’s also extremely helpful as it allows you to easily get and stay organized when delegating out the roles and duties for the members of your group.
It’s not the only way but it’s my way… and it works 🙂 Click the pic to listen the podcast that walks you through the method of the madness.
To show how my head works further, (forgive me for doing exactly what I said I was trying not to do anymore, but YOU don’t know me so an audition is in order PLUS it’s a great strategy for businesses, organizations and hobbyists to add value to their existing efforts ) here’s my long term plans for that one simple PDF form.
First off, I’m using it as you read this or after listening to the podcast OR you may have came into contact with it and me by way of the link that was shared on a featured video posted on YouTube and embedded on the JTB homepage.
Proof in the pudding.
I had been working on a book that covered all of this tentatively titled “Adding Value”. The problem was that the book got bigger and bigger and bigger because I wanted to ensure that I gave a potential reader as much bang for their buck as possible. That would be an unforgivable form of hypocrisy on my part.
Admittedly I was overthinking the book. However this blog and the pdf being the end result of the many months of back and forth,rewrite, repeat, reuse and recycle it all showed me the message that I’ve shared today. Work with INTENTION and YOU WILL get whatever you are wanting. For me it is a book and training series because of the many passions that I have, to teach, inspire, encourage and motivate are certainly the top of the charts for your old buddy Jimbo. I just had to get myself on track to help you do the same.
To get to the book and training series, I discovered I needed a pipeline. Now I have it and now you do too. Everybody wins and this is the closest fastest way I can get back to work doing what I was born to do: Inform and Entertain. This content creation pipeline is the best starting point I have generated for myself that I know can help you too. Plus, you can’t beat the price. On that note, if you found value in this blog, the podcast or the pdf, feel free to drop a tip in the jar or subscribe to any of my outreaches to learn more about all of these avenues tackled in the pdf and when the larger format editions will be released.
Until next time my dear readers, I’ll leave you with this quote from former U.S. President, Civil War General; Ulysses S. Grant that I think is a great personification of how the best intentions can get sidetracked by mistakes in process.
“My failures have been errors in judgment, not of intent.”
Ulysses S. Grant
Now, Go Play!
Jim 05/10/2022
Thanks for reading this entry. Please be sure to visit Jim’s Toy Box daily for all kinds of informative and entertaining blogs, articles, interviews, podcasts and videos that I hope will inspire, encourage and motivate you to live life to the fullest right NOW. Also, thank you for shopping the links listed as well as ordering products from the site. Those are what keep this ship afloat and I truly appreciate your support of this journalistic and entertainment outreach.
*** Here are those recommendations along with some great reviews that I found helpful***
Atomic Habits
James Clear has written a book that is by far one of the best of the best in helping you break old bad habits and create new good one’s in a manageable and attainable way.
Best seller for a reason!
Clark does some great work in his videos. Highly recommend his stuff.
Published
Chandler Bolt and his Self Publishing School is pretty impressive in how they have stream lined the publishing process. I haven’t used the SPS servie but the book has helped me tremendously in getting my own works outlined and in the works.
Want to writ a book but don’ know where to start? Here you go!
This is the video that hooked me and also got me a free copy. Legit offer if it is still available as of this writing.
365 Days. 365 Experiences Journal
I created this one to 1. Learn how to self publish using Amazon’s KDP platform and 2. To encourage everyone to learn new things and then journal about the experience as well as brainstorm adventures to take action on. If you order one know that I appreciate it. More importantly take the idea for yourself and run with it… no matter what you write in.
“Come with me and you’ll be
In a world of pure imagination.”
Strife and division. Negativity and combativeness. Exclusion and loneliness. Adjectives that I never much cared to use in the opening of any article let alone one for the Toy Box. However, it’s impossible not to call out those horrible elephants hanging out in the room if one is to ever clear said room of horrible elephants and have a fun place to play that doesn’t smell of elephant dung.
After 18 months of introspection, self realization, a few really good books, a complete exodus from social media, an 8 inch action figure released by the Mego Corporation and a buried truth unearthed from the deepest parts of my subconscious, I’ve broken free from the mental trap that led me down; dark roads, ignorant decisions, hateful and irresponsible actions online and a general disdain for the things that l loved most: creating, educating, inspiring and encouraging you, dear reader to do the same. To prove that, I’ve packed in some Golden Tickets that got me through the aforementioned dark times that I hope you will enjoy.
“Hold your breath.
Make a wish
Count to three.”
Willy Wonka – 1971
A little preface
Since 2010, this Toy Box had been the refuge for all of my creative expressions (audio, video, still photography, the written word and/or a combination of them all) but the last few pre-2020 years, I went a completely wrong direction with my attitude. And frankly, I know I nearly wrecked this Toy Box. To say the least, I certainly lost touch with its intent and let me tell you, that’s a truly horrible feeling.
On the journey that led me back to where we are, I did a whole lot of soul searching as to why I couldn’t let this online playground go but at the same time I lost the desire to enter into its realm. What was at the root? At the core? In the very essence of my need to be surrounded by plastic representations of childhood memories let alone talk about ’em?
Was it nostalgia? Honestly, no. Was it a sensation or feeling? Yes! But still not exactly the answer. Why on God’s green Earth am I talking to myself? Because I’m insane.
That conversation began in March of 2020 as I too was hunkered down into the start of an 18 month “15 days to flatten the curve” world. It took 12 months (and a helluva lot of frustrating circumstances) for the true answer to begin revealing itself too me. Then, almost to the day in March 2021, I heard from my neighbor that a certain purple clad, top hat wearing mad man was spotted on the shelves in the Electronics Department.
A spark was struck and away I went to see this anomaly for myself. I arrived to find he and his three clones were perched precariously on a shelf along with 4 each of a vampire, a cyborg, a Japanese superhero, a scarlet skeleton pimp, a clown with pink eye, a possessed spawn of Satan and a snotty looking guy in a dress. Yes, Mr. Willie Wonka, away from his factory and encased in a plastic bubble was looking for a ride to my place. I consulted with President’s Washington and Lincoln and our first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton if they were cool with an exchange. They agreed and there we went, back to the house.
Unbeknownst to me at that moment, the answer to the question I had been pondering for so long and hard, was being answered. The cure to my ailment of attitude, and not just for a desire to indulge in ramblings about toys, but towards life on the whole, was being revealed through this 8 inch Gene Wilder doppelganger. Encapsulated in this action figure was a reminder and reintroduction to the most powerful force in the universe:
IMAGINATION
Imagination is a multi directional street. Most instinctively presume it only refers to a wondrous mental landscape of joy and wonderment solely for the flights of fancy of children. And it absolutely SHOULD be that way. However, there is a dark side to it when it is overtaken and labeled as worry, anxiety and fear. Those of course are regulated to being the standard and to be expected “adult” experience. Which is an absolutely terrible mindset and perception. I had read something to that effect but it didn’t sink in until I was examining Mr. Wonka more closely and my creative mind kicked back in and realized he was missing something so simple yet crucial; He needed Wonka bars and I needed to make ’em! So I did and in doing so the rusty gears of my imagination factory began to turn and as such began breaking down the false labels attributed to that most wonderful and readily available super power which leads to my first Golden Ticket for you. Below you’ll see a picture of Wonka bar wrappers that you can print out to make your own perfect accessories. I’ve included a simple how to video to help you in the construction process.
Now you too can be a candy man. Print these off and add your own sunrise, and sprinkles of dew.
Just trying to have a little fun, folks. That’s all.
There’s more to come from this story (and more Golden Tickets so be sure to check back soon…
Now, Go Play!
Jim 08/22/2021
Side note: Halloween’s coming… check out our new affiliate partner!
“Come with me and you’ll be
In a world of pure imagination.”
Strife and division. Negativity and combativeness. Exclusion and loneliness. Adjectives that I never much cared to use in the opening of any article let alone one for the Toy Box. However, it’s impossible not to call out those horrible elephants hanging out in the room if one is to ever clear said room of horrible elephants and have a fun place to play that doesn’t smell of elephant dung.
After 18 months of introspection, self realization, a few really good books, a complete exodus from social media, an 8 inch action figure released by the Mego Corporation and a buried truth unearthed from the deepest parts of my subconscious, I’ve broken free from the mental trap that led me down; dark roads, ignorant decisions, hateful and irresponsible actions online and a general disdain for the things that l loved most: creating, educating, inspiring and encouraging you, dear reader to do the same. To prove that, I’ve packed in some Golden Tickets that got me through the aforementioned dark times that I hope you will enjoy.
“Hold your breath.
Make a wish
Count to three.”
Willy Wonka – 1971
A little preface
Since 2010, this Toy Box had been the refuge for all of my creative expressions (audio, video, still photography, the written word and/or a combination of them all) but the last few pre-2020 years, I went a completely wrong direction with my attitude. And frankly, I know I nearly wrecked this Toy Box. To say the least, I certainly lost touch with its intent and let me tell you, that’s a truly horrible feeling.
On the journey that led me back to where we are, I did a whole lot of soul searching as to why I couldn’t let this online playground go but at the same time I lost the desire to enter into its realm. What was at the root? At the core? In the very essence of my need to be surrounded by plastic representations of childhood memories let alone talk about ’em?
Was it nostalgia? Honestly, no. Was it a sensation or feeling? Yes! But still not exactly the answer. Why on God’s green Earth am I talking to myself? Because I’m insane.
That conversation began in March of 2020 as I too was hunkered down into the start of an 18 month “15 days to flatten the curve” world. It took 12 months (and a helluva lot of frustrating circumstances) for the true answer to begin revealing itself too me. Then, almost to the day in March 2021, I heard from my neighbor that a certain purple clad, top hat wearing mad man was spotted on the shelves in the Electronics Department.
A spark was struck and away I went to see this anomaly for myself. I arrived to find he and his three clones were perched precariously on a shelf along with 4 each of a vampire, a cyborg, a Japanese superhero, a scarlet skeleton pimp, a clown with pink eye, a possessed spawn of Satan and a snotty looking guy in a dress. Yes, Mr. Willie Wonka, away from his factory and encased in a plastic bubble was looking for a ride to my place. I consulted with President’s Washington and Lincoln and our first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton if they were cool with an exchange. They agreed and there we went, back to the house.
Unbeknownst to me at that moment, the answer to the question I had been pondering for so long and hard, was being answered. The cure to my ailment of attitude, and not just for a desire to indulge in ramblings about toys, but towards life on the whole, was being revealed through this 8 inch Gene Wilder doppelganger. Encapsulated in this action figure was a reminder and reintroduction to the most powerful force in the universe:
IMAGINATION
Imagination is a multi directional street. Most instinctively presume it only refers to a wondrous mental landscape of joy and wonderment solely for the flights of fancy of children. And it absolutely SHOULD be that way. However, there is a dark side to it when it is overtaken and labeled as worry, anxiety and fear. Those of course are regulated to being the standard and to be expected “adult” experience. Which is an absolutely terrible mindset and perception. I had read something to that effect but it didn’t sink in until I was examining Mr. Wonka more closely and my creative mind kicked back in and realized he was missing something so simple yet crucial; He needed Wonka bars and I needed to make ’em! So I did and in doing so the rusty gears of my imagination factory began to turn and as such began breaking down the false labels attributed to that most wonderful and readily available super power which leads to my first Golden Ticket for you. Below you’ll see a picture of Wonka bar wrappers that you can print out to make your own perfect accessories. I’ve included a simple how to video to help you in the construction process.
Now you too can be a candy man. Print these off and add your own sunrise, and sprinkles of dew.
Just trying to have a little fun, folks. That’s all.
There’s more to come from this story (and more Golden Tickets so be sure to check back soon…
Now, Go Play!
Jim 08/22/2021
Side note: Halloween’s coming… check out our new affiliate partner!
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