Michael Wojciechowski

It’s been a while, I know.  I have a lot of updates.  First, I almost died.  I had my tonsils out.  A week later, I started bleeding.  I swallowed a lot of blood.  Some of it got into my lungs.  I started vomiting blood.  A lot of blood.  I decided to call for an ambulance.  By the time I arrived at the hospital, the doctors had to give me a transfusion.  Time was such a factor that they didn’t even have time to check if the blood was my type.  They put 4 units in me. 

I spent the night in the ICU with a breathing tube jammed down my throat and into my lung.  The tube sucked out all the blood I had swallowed.  Anyone who has ever had to sleep with a breathing tube down their throat knows that it is the most unpleasant experience a person can go through.  Needless to say, had I not called the ambulance, I would have died.  Had I not been in good physical shape, I would have died.  Had I arrived at the hospital 3 minutes later, I would have died.  I’m very lucky.  I’m very blessed.  And to those who came and saw me, and those who were worried, scared, and frightened for me, I’m sorry to put you through this.  Just know that I survived this ordeal because of you.  I wasn’t ready to leave you yet. 

Second, a lot of progress has been made on my book.  The back cover has been designed.  The publisher has sent me their first edit.  I looked it over and approved it (I’m very impressed with my editor.  She has done, and continues to do, a great job.).  We are now entering the final stages to get my book released and on the shelves. 

Thanks to everyone who has patiently been awaiting the arrival of my novel.  I’m very grateful for the support I’ve received throughout.  I’ll continue to post more updates as they come. 

Mike Wojciechowski

Last Sunday in Las Vegas my family Kristin, Shad, Jen, and Sonja all completed the Rock N Roll half marathon.  It was Shad, Jen and Sonja's first ever half marathon (Kristin has done several and even some full marathons), and they all did awesome.  Congrats, guys. 13.1 miles!  I'm proud of you. 

Every year at this time, the question is always asked: what are you grateful for?  I never really gave the question much reflection, but when a friend asked yesterday, I found myself lost in a myriad of thoughts.  This year has been a—revealing, trying, hard, interesting—one to say the least.  I’ve experienced my highest highs and my lowest lows over the last 350 days.  But after the dust settles, and I’m left with just my thoughts to keep me company, I’ve learned that no matter how bad I have it, there is always someone else who has it worse, helping me to realize I haven’t really earned the right to feel sorry for myself.  But more importantly, I’ve learned I’ll always find someone who will help me back to my feet.  So to those who have helped me rebound, I thank you, and to those who find themselves lost and alone, know that it will eventually pass, and only through your trials can learn who you really are.            

Every year around this time, there is always a movie trailer I come across that gives me the chills.  This year it's the Jeff Bridges' film, "Crazy Heart."  The song  on the trailer is beautiful, and it looks like this role may finally land Bridges his long-awaited Oscar.  Check out the trailer and song here: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/crazyheart/ 

If life ever worked out the way it was meant to, I would be in L.A. right now waiting to board a plane to Australia.  That was the original plan.  Eight days on the one continent I’ve been waiting my whole life to visit.  Then I got sick.  That pig flu thingy that’s going around that has nothing to do with pigs.  I probably could’ve still made the trip, but I didn’t want to be that guy.  The guy in the small confined public place who’s coughing up phlegm the entire time and he only stops long enough to blow his nose?  You know, that insensitive guy who’s almost as bad as the important guy who answers his phone in a restaurant and talks loud enough for the kitchen to hear?  That guy.

So anyway, I’m pretty bummed about the whole scenario, but, hey, these things happen, and there’s nothing I could’ve done to prevent it.  I mean, sure, I could’ve gotten the H1N1 vaccine, but I’m a fairly healthy guy.  I’m only 28.  I figured I would let those who need it the most have first dibs: pregnant women, young children, the elderly.  Those people need to maintain their health, and they should be vaccinated first.  But I'd be lying if I said I'm not more than a little . . . bothered that the government has vaccinated all detainees at Gitmo. I'm not bothered because I got sick.  Truth is, I wasn't going to get the vaccine anyway; I'm too lazy to take preventative measures seriously.  But it is a little heartbreaking to drive past a grocery store and see women and children waiting in line outside in the cold for the vaccine.  The blame doesn't lie with the prisoners.  It lies, as always, with inept and corrupt government officials who continue to see its citizens as commodities instead of people. 

Jon Krakauer’s latest book, Where Men Win Glory, tells the story of Pat Tillman.  I was skeptical at first to read the book because I wasn’t remotely attracted to the story of an ex-football player turned soldier and his subsequent death in Afghanistan.  I wasn’t interested in a ra-ra saga that would glorify war while diminishing the atrocious truths of it.  I should have known better than to pass judgment so quickly on a book written by Krakauer.  His research—as always—is meticulous, his prose is gripping, and his subject is a man with a lot more substance that I had originally gave him credit for.  If you’re looking for a good book, pick up, Where Men Win Glory.  With it, I believe Krakauer has cemented himself as the best non-fiction writer ever.       

Other books by Jon Krakauer include: Eiger Dreams, Into the Wild, Into Thin Air, and Under the Banner of Heaven. 

I know I said Cameron’s Road would be released in October, but some events have occurred that have pushed the release back.  Comfort Publishing recently became a client of Music, Books and Business (MB&B).  MB&B is a wholesale distributor of music and book products to all major chain stores such as Borders, Barnes & Noble, Amazon and many others.  In short, because of the new distributor, my novel’s release will be pushed back.  However, it will now have a wider release and better exposure now that MB&B is in charge of distribution.  I guess you’re going to have to wait a little longer to read Cameron’s Road.  I will post any new information as I receive it.  I appreciate all those who checked out the possible cover designs and gave some feedback.  It looks like the cover will be the darker one of the two, with the solitary figure walking.  It seems to be the one more people prefer—myself included.   

And as always, thanks for the support. 

 

On Friday, September 11th, at five o’clock in the morning, my oldest brother, John, started the Wasatch 100 mile trail run.  On Saturday, September 12th, nearly 35 hours later, he crossed the finish line.  He completed 100 miles.  100 miles!  Many people believe that the most grueling athletic event one can accomplish in a lifetime is a marathon.  A marathon is 26.2 miles.  John nearly ran 4 marathons straight. 

The course begins in Kaysville, traverses the Wasatch Mountains, and then ends at the Homestead in Midway.  This is not an easy course.  Runners climb to over 10,000 feet only to descend to 5,500.  And then, just to make sure that feat wasn’t a fluke, they do it again.  John’s cousin, Bard, paced John from mile 40 to 53.  I paced John from miles 53 to 75.  We started at 11:30 at night.  When we reached mile 75, it was after 8:00 in the morning.  The 22 miles I was with him was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.  I can’t imagine doing it after having just completed 53 miles.  Incredible.  At mile 75, my brother, Brad, took over.  He paced John through the final 25 miles.  Brad said he never seen a person more determined than John.  The fastest 10 miles John ran were the final 10 miles of the course.  That’s the sign of a man who refuses to lose.  Athletes are people that can physically accomplish tasks that an “average” person deems nearly impossible.  A person that can run 100 miles through the Rocky Mountains is more than an athlete, that person is insane.  Congratulations to John and to all runners that, not only finished, but even had the audacity to attempt the Wasatch 100.          

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Next week President Obama is giving a speech geared specifically to students.  He has even asked principals to allow students to tune in to hear the speech.  Some parents are outraged.  And they have every right to be.  I mean, seriously, why should we let our kids watch this crap when there is a perfectly good episode of "Gossip Girl" on? 

The publising company has sent me two cover designs.  I have posted them under the "Novels" link.  You can look at both cover choices and tell me which cover you think is better.  The more feedback the better.  Check them out and let me know what you think.  Thanks.