Libraries of tomorrow

Library, Hermitage of st Bernardine, Stroud, NSW | Photo by Friar's Balsam

A random thought/idea came to me today.

Last year Amazon began allowing loaning books between Kindle users. In addition they just announced (this week I believe) that libraries will now be able to purchase Kindle versions, for patrons to borrow and read on any Kindle enabled device.

(FREE software is available to read Kindle books on iPhone, iPad, Windows PC, Mac, Blackberry, Android and Windows Phone devices.)

You can loan a book to anyone with an e-mail address via the Kindle Manager (as long as the publisher has enabled lending).

So as I was thinking about how this might be an awesome avenue for sharing ideas and material with not just my friends next door, but my friends across the pond, I started thinking…
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Charlie Hall The Rising: Giveaway

Charlie Hall Band
The Charlie Hall Band

Oklahoma native — Mr Passion himself — Charlie Hall, has just released a new album – The Rising.

It’s a pretty sweet album (if I do say so myself).

As part of the album release, Sparrow Records has generously offered up a giveaway for the readers of my blog…

A COLLECTION OF CHARLIE HALL’S ALBUMS FROM SPARROW RECORDS!

Includes:
The Rising
The Bright Sadness
Flying Into Daybreak
On The Road To Beautiful

There will be one Grand Prize winner who will receive a copy of each of these albums! Four brand new albums to add to your collection.

Along with the Grand Prize winner, there will also be four second place winners who will receive a copy of Charlie Hall’s latest CD – The Rising.

Charlie Hall - The Rising
Charlie Hall - The Rising

To enter, simply answer the following question in the comments below:

Who has the best “chin beard” — Charlie Hall or David Crowder?

Charlie Hall
Charlie Hall
David Crowder
David Crowder

Or for an additional entry, simply Tweet the following:

“Win a collection of Charlie Hall’s albums http://ow.ly/2PuRF (via @jdblundell). Please RT.”

Be sure you include the link and my Twitter username so I can track all the entries.

The contest will end at 10 p.m. on Sunday evening (10-10-10) and I’ll chose one Grand Prize winner from all the comments and Tweets and four 2nd place winners at random on Monday, Oct. 11, 2010.

So be sure your comments and Tweets are posted before 10 p.m. CST on Sunday, Oct. 10.

Please, only one comment and Tweet per person.

Thanks for entering… and thanks even more for reading!

Tell Your Mum – musical interlude

tell your mum
tell your mum

Some music for your Labor Day weekend…
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Quaint But True – a musical interlude

Quaint but True

It’s Thursday. Just two more days till the weekend!

As a little added encouragement for you, I put together a nice little musical interlude for your enjoyment today (or for whenever).

Think of it as an indie mix-tape of love.

The tracks:

Brighteyes – Four Winds
Jes Karper – Land of the Free
Nowhere Boys – Twenty-First Century
Castanets – Worn From the Fight (with Fireworks)
Bluegrass Orphans – That Home Far Away
Katie Herzig – Sweeter Than This
What Made Milwaukee Famous – Sweet Lady
Josh Belville – Union Station
Lee Younger – Quaint But True
David Baazan – Bless This Mess
The Damnwells – Jesus Could Be Right
Spiritualized – Shine a Light (Unreleased Mix)
Brian Lee & His Orchestra – I Need This Girl
Ordinary Time – Heaven
Peter la Grand – When the Colours Die
Shekinah – The Writer’s Ink

Download Quaint But True Musical Interlude (42.4 MB ZIP)

And if you dig the music, be sure and support the artists included in the mix.

Give clean water — get a free copy of my novel

Ethiopian girl enjoys clean drinking water | Photo from charity:water

As part of our effort to build a clean drinking water well for the under-resourced, I’ve decided to give away a free PDF copy of my novel, St. Peter’s Brewery, to everyone who makes a donation to charity:water between now and August 31, 2010.

Give any donation — of any amount, and you’ll receive a free e-book (PDF) copy of my novel.

Donate now

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Spaces of grace

Waterfall - Dallas Arboretum
Waterfall @ the Dallas Arboretum | Photo by Jonathan Blundell

Where is it that you find grace?

Where is it that you find sanctuary?

Do you have a safe place where you can unwind? Ask questions? Express doubt?

If so, what does that space look like for you?
Continue reading Spaces of grace