Lately, I haven’t been too social on the Social Media networks… I do hope to catch up with everyone very soon though!

My original intention was to have my book finished by July 20th, on the same day that man landed on the moon, 40 years ago.

I ended up finding so many great sources of information that I decided to postpone, then postpone, and then postpone again, several times, my release date, so that I could make sure to rewrite and include the new information, as well as do the proper research for copyright information, submit requests for permission to use certain articles and then re-edit my bibliography to give proper attribution to the new sources added. Whew.

Well, I’ve decided to delay the release one final time. The new release date will be August 21st, early 2010.

I’m still sorting through and collating all the great stories, interviews and archived reports that I’ve collected over the past few weeks, but I’ve had this persistent, nudging feeling that just kept bugging me and bugging me that something was still missing. (No, it wasn’t indigestion, though I thought it could be at one point).

The book started off as a way for me to record my dad’s story of his involvement with the Apollo 11 mission. In my discussions with him, he clearly remembers a lot of things, but there are some things that he can’t recall, especially after 40 years. The one thing that he can’t seem to remember was the name of the exact part that he worked on, and where it was used on the space mission. He knows that it was a remote sensor (telemetry) part, but that’s about it.

I’ve done numerous searches on the Internet, over the past several weeks, but have been coming up with a blank. Along the way, I’ve stumbled across some other related information which has been somewhat helpful, but not quite the answer that I’m looking for. I feel like the information is out there somewhere, but not exactly clear just yet where to find it…

I guess I’m looking for closure on identifying what exactly the part was and where it was used.

So, I’ve decided to make the trip to Washington D.C. this month to visit the NASA Headquarters Library and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum to see if I can track down the information that I’m looking for, and to also see first-hand some of the exhibits and artifacts from the Apollo 11 mission, and show my kids too, so that I can bring it full circle.

It’s one thing to read about it, it’s another to write about it.

I’d like to take it one step further and see the items from Apollo 11 up close, live and in-person. And, hopefully, find that one missing piece that my dad worked on. Then, I think I’ll be ready for closure, to circle around again one more time, and finally complete my mission (i.e. writing).

Then it will be time. The book will take flight.

Have you ever felt the same way? The need to search for that one missing piece? The nudging? The need to bring closure to a situation?

Sometimes, some things run parallel in our lives for a reason…

Let me know your thoughts on this.

As always, thanks.

~Eva
(hat tip to @7thscreen who is looking for closure and help in finding his missing Beatles car)

NJ Social Media Tour Schedule coming soon…

Here are some story excerpts from a few people that I interviewed for my book, Reaching for the Moon and the Stars, The Legacy and Influence of the Apollo Generation. Let me know what you think!

“I was there and I remember everything. We made history. We changed the world. I screamed, I cried and jumped up and down. I had been a small part of this entire project…I am still celebrating today.” –Sara Howard, one of two women Aerospace Engineers who worked on the Apollo 11 Saturn V rocket.

“The true heroes of Apollo 11 are the folks who worked behind the scenes. The people in mission control, the back-up people, etc. Talk to the docents who built the Lunar Module at the Cradle of Aviation Museum on Long Island, NY. Those are the unsung heroes. Without them, it never would have happened. The MOCR guys – the engineers who sat in the trenches in Houston whose average age was 26 – they did the whole thing on slide rules. Steve Bales, who at 26, had to make the decision if they should land or not when alarms were going off. Gene Kranz, who was the “old man” at 35, was in charge of the whole thing” –Tracy Kornfeld, Apollo and space enthusiast, Owner, www.WowieWebDesign.com

“My father worked on the lunar module at Grumman Aerospace as second job beyond his teaching job (he was a high school metal shop teacher). He was a metalworker, trying to figure out how to make the lunar module as light as possible. He and his buddies in the metal shop had an idea to drill holes in all the metal surfaces. The engineers were like ‘Yeah, but I don’t think that’s going to make much difference’. They went ahead, drilled out some sample pieces and the damn things were 1/3 lighter, yet still tested out strength-wise. So that’s how the astronauts were able to leave the moon.” -Tom D’Alimonte, Apollo and space enthusiast and educator, Owner, www.Missing-Pieces.com

NASA Photo S69-39525, Liftoff of Apollo 11 July 16, 1969
http://history.nasa.gov/ap11ann/kippsphotos/39525.jpg

“It was July 21 (1969) in India and I remember I was listening to the Voice of America commentary from early morning about Eagle’s descent towards the moon. There was no TV in India at that time. Then at 8:26 a.m. (IST) I remember clinging to the transistor (radio) as Neil Armstrong stepped on the surface of the moon and uttered his famous words: ‘One Small Step for Man. One Giant Leap for Mankind’.” –Srinivas Laxman, Special Correspondent, The Times of India

“My parents had this big console TV that was a giant piece of furniture in the living room that had the record player and the AM/FM radio in it. And I literally sat in front of the television with my hand on the knob switching around to the three networks… I know it drove my parents nuts, this 8 year old kid monopolizing the TV set – surrounded by all my space goodies – flipping the channels around. “ –Bob Jacobs, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Public Affairs, NASA

[Influence as a youth] “In middle school and high school, I began to develop a love for space. This drove me to learn more about the exploration of space, and thus the Apollo and unmanned exploration programs. The images and information sent back by Apollo and such probes as the Voyagers and Pioneers really inspired me, and I think at that point I knew I wanted to work for NASA. [In current role] “I have been doing work on Separation Analysis for NASA’s next rocket, the Ares 1. I hope to see men walking on the moon in the 2020’s and hopefully walking on Mars in the late 2030’s or early 2040’s. That would be simply amazing for me, and I will be able help make that happen!” –Logan Kennedy, Age 22, Aerospace Engineer, NASA/MSFC

While preparing for the release of my first book, Reaching for the Moon and the Stars: The Legacy and Influence of the Apollo Generation, just like many people, I’ve also been balancing family obligations, previous commitments and future business planning.

Dinner has to be prepared (I usually cook at home most nights), dishes need to be done, laundry to be conquered, plenty of piles to be purged, groceries to be bought, gas to be put into the car, band-aids put on, wine tasting Tweetups to attend, and Social Media training classes to plan.

It’s all a matter of balancing, focusing, and making the best use of your time (The first secret? Never watch television). It’s also taking a step back and figuring out what you do best and where you need additional support and help.

Focus 5 Minutes at a Time
Another tip: Break things down to 5 minutes chunks at a time, whenever possible (that’s the second secret: Focus on One Thing, 5 Minutes). It may take some practice to focus — what you’ll need to do is to put on the blinders, get the earplugs, and just try to tune everything else out, except for what you’re working on.

What Are You Spending Your Time On?
Also, (you might not like this one): Take an honest look at your time and where you’re spending most of it. Are you addicted to the latest Spy-Mafia Master of the Time-Wasters game of the week? Or taking quizzes on what kind of “pop star sushi blender drink” you most resemble? (That’s the next secret, don’t get hooked on those fun & games apps).

Mind Games
I know if I bring up this topic, I run the risk of getting some people really fired up because they’ll say it’s a way to “unwind or relax or de-stress or reward’ themselves for working so hard, or a great way to find out something new about their friends or to deepen their online relationships with their business associates (huh?) by taking those quirky surveys and winning those 10,000 points. OK, that’s fine, if it’s all in balance, time-wise. But if we’re talking about hours and hours, and days and days, on these online games and diversions and it’s taking away time from what you would REALLY like to do, the really meaningful things that are deep-down important, then… it’s an issue.

What DO You REALLY Want to Do?
So, what is it that you REALLY want to do? What do you want to leave behind that people will remember you by, what is your mark on the world?  I know, heavy stuff…

For me, it’s the book that I’m writing. That’s the legacy that I want to leave behind, because I’m writing about the legacy that others are leaving behind. For me, it’s full circle. Balance.

I’m just trying to give you a nudge to discover for yourself what that “deep-down” hidden talent is within you. Maybe your dream is to do a one-handed handstand upside down, while balancing on a stack of wooden chairs, like the acrobat in the picture above. Maybe it’s something else.

The key is, to make the most of your time using Social Media to connect, collaborate, and communicate, rather than to play mind games with yourself or to try to “game” the system.

Yes, there is a time for fun & games… but keep it all in balance. Give yourself some time too, to discover what it is that you REALLY want to do…  Make “one day” be today.

Need Help Figuring It All Out?
Need help finding 5 minutes a day to focus? Are you trying to figure out what exactly your talents are, or not sure how to make the best use of your time on the social networks to connect and collaborate? I’d love to help. Let’s take 5 minutes to collaborate together. Contact me today.

Thanks for taking 5 to read this, I appreciate it.

~Eva Abreu, Plate-spinner (new title courtesy of @mikeconaty) and Social Media Tour Guide
Toll-free 1-877-708-0884
Email: eva {at} evaabreu {dot} com

Connect with Eva:
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Working behind the scenes to finalize all the production elements and details of the book release and squeezing in some last minute interviews to include in this first release of Reaching for the Moon and the Stars: The Legacy and Influence of the Apollo Generation. It’s been quite a ride!

In fact, at the last moment, I just discovered several new sources of really neat information that I just HAVE to include in the book, so I’m pushing back the release date of the book to July 24 July 31, August 21st, early 2010.  I’ve had to scrub the release date for several weeks in a row now, as I wrap up some research, rights and clearance issues. If all conditions are go, then sometime in the very near future, I’ll be able to announce the final date for the book to finally lift off! I have to say, It’s been quite the learning experience, and I thank everyone for their kind support and patience.

If you’d like to pre-order a copy of the book, please fill out the Contact Form and we’ll get back in touch with you. The price is $11.95 (+ $4 s/h)

Thank you to everyone who has helped make this book a reality! There are many people to thank for their support, encouragement and contribution. I’ll be acknowledging them in the days to come.

In appreciation,
~Eva Abreu, Author
Email: eva {at} evaabreu {dot} com
Toll-free 1-877-708-0884

I’ve had several book ideas swirling around inside of me for quite a while now, and I do believe the time is NOW to put it down on paper and release it to the world.

After several scrubbed book launch dates from July 20 through August 7, if all conditions are right this time, my first book will be self-published with a new release date of August 21st, early 2010 to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Apollo 11.

The title of the book is: Reaching for the Moon and the Stars: The Legacy and Influence of the Apollo Generation and will include a collection of untold stories, unsung heroes and dreams fulfilled during that time period.

Inspiration From Everyday People In Our Lives
A lot of different factors came together at the same time to compel me to move forward with the idea of writing the book. My dad is one of the major inspirations for the book and I’ll be sharing his story and his influence along with other similar stories of regular everyday folks who happen to have played a part in the historic Apollo mission. I’ll also feature the stories of observers from the ground who remember watching that great moment and how it influenced the choices they eventually made in life and the examples that they have set for the next generation.

How Social Media Plays A Part
Although the book is not about Social Media, what I have been discovering over the last week or so, is the tremendous circle of influence and invaluable resources coming from my Social Media contacts, both old and new.

Connections Made Using Social Media
A connection on Twitter led to the influence of futurist Rod Pitman (@7thscreen), who has shared his vision and knowledge as a transmedia storyteller, which in turn, inspired me to conceptualize and create this project. In addition, interviews are well underway via phone, email and Skype with various people that I’ve connected with through Twitter and Facebook including Apollo experts, space enthusiasts, engineers and grown children of the original Apollo generation. I also met Rick Wolff, a graphic designer on Twitter who I’ve commissioned to design the book cover that you see above. There will be many other people to acknowledge in the next few weeks from both on-line connections, as well as off-line contacts, including my local printer in New Jersey who is on stand-by ready to print the book, research assistants following up with ISBN numbers, copyright and permissions, and others I have yet to meet who will assist with the many details that need to be taken care of.

Creating Reality: A Single Collective Vision
The learning curve is pretty steep since this is my first venture in writing and publishing a book but I look to the inspiration of the Apollo generation who did the most amazing thing of creating reality… by having many people focused on a single collective vision.

I hope to do the same thing, albeit on a much smaller scale, of seeing my published book in bookstores, in libraries, in classrooms and in the hands of children and adults alike, so the legacy can be passed along to future generations. In order to create this reality, I’ll need to rely on a little help from my friends… and all of us focused on a single collective vision.

What’s your vision? What’s your dream? Make connections, collaborate, create, share a collective vision using Social Media. Ask me how. I’d love to help.

~Eva Abreu
Email: eva {at} evaabreu {dot} com

Image from Flickr CC www.flickr.com/photos/19762676@N00/1225274637 thanks to austinevan