Top Ten 'I AM' Photographs - Number 10

Dear Readers,

I have been asked to state my Top Ten 'I AM' location photographs. The irony is that the person making the request was the photographer for this photo entry at Number 10. This photograph was taken in Tunisia. It has special significance because it was the photograph that began this incredible journey. I had the idea for my book to travel the world the moment I saw this picture. This was the first and now over 220 photographs have been taken in over 25 different countries around the world and still counting!

I am forever grateful to my great friend for that moment of inspiration, without it the others would not exist so there was no question that it made the Top Ten. Who knows what these photographs will be able to do for people, we have to believe that each one of us has our own story to tell.

To view the other pictures visit - www.myspace.com/alexanderjackman

Look out for entry Number 9

Until Next time.

I AM - is finally here!

Dear Readers,

Welcome to the first installment of the book 'I AM'. You will find that it is currently registered online with some of the major bookstores. You can search for the title on http://www.amazon.co.uk/ or http://www.play.com/, it is available to purchase. The delivery schedule at present will take a number of weeks to match other books available online. I hope this won't cause too much inconvenience.

I have to stress there is a still long way to go. I have The London Book Fair at the Excel Building in April closely followed by the New York Expo in May. Then I hope to go to Beijing in August before closing 2010 with Germany in October. These events are where buyers from major retailers, agents, publishers, distribution companies and media congregate to unveil the next line of top selling books and authors. I will be attending with a few surprises of my own. Stay tuned.

So you can see quite clearly that a place on a major retailers' premium New Release or Bestseller Shelf is still a year away. There is also tremendous competition for shelf space. Millions of books are produced vying for the same spot. Each trying to stand out from the rest. I know what it is I need to do and I will get there. I will be working hard throughout this winter building sales volume with all local bookshops in London before April in time for The London Book Fair.

Now that the momentum is gathering pace keep an eye out for BLOG updates. If you have any questions you would like to ask, I always try to make myself available to reply to all my messages. There have been some great questions already. Join me Alexander Jackman on Facebook.

Thank you again for your support. I hope that if you decide to purchase 'I AM' there is something there for you as there was for me.

Until Next time.

Dear readers,

I have spent sometime away from my blog page reading new books and writing the second and third installment of I AM. I have also begun my first novel which is looking very promising at this very early stage.

I AM will be released for the first time in Hardback with copies crossing the Atlantic as we speak. There is still someway to go before the official release however I promise to keep you updated on the progress.

In the meantime I feel it is important to continue to introduce new people to the journey of I AM around the World. Your help to spread the message will be very much appreciated. The photos are so important to the process, it has inspired me creatively and I shall let you in on the plans I have for those photos at a later date. Please keep them coming in I am constantly updating Myspace and the Facebook Group Page with all the new pictures.

I AM is about to embark on its first ROAD TRIP of the United States. Where it will travel in the great Ford Mustang and Corvette via Route 66. I look forward to the reports of its progress although I have to admit I am not the fortunate individual making the trip. A great friend of mine has taken up the challenge, it is something I have dreamed of doing and I guess a part of me will live that dream.

You can find his BLOG covering the tour at http://www.iamanamericanroadtrip.blogspot.com/

Until next time

http://www.alexanderjackman.com/

www.myspace.com/alexanderjackman

www.twitter.com/alexjackajk

Happy New Day

Dear Readers,

For some you may read this as the new blog for the new year. For me however, this is a new blog for a new day.

Whilst I understand the sentiment in wishing you all a Happy New Year. I have wondered if in making this wish, am I already providing my reasons for not making contact with you until the new year 2010?

Do I make new years resolutions? The simple answer is No. I have come to a point where everyday is important to me. Whether I spend those moments asleep for the whole day or not it remains important. We sleep half of our lives anyway so a day of slumber is not anything to be ashamed about, neither is a day focused on making those close to you laugh while not doing anything in particular. I do not feel guilty for those types of days. I really enjoy my Mondays, it sets my tone for the rest of the week. I do not have reservations for a day before I have even started it. I do not intend on losing productivity I intend to gain. This practice has put myself in a frame of mind that will enable me to deal with the unexpected.

I have witnessed some bizarre events leading up to the big celebrations. Comments in conversations such as I cannot wait until the weekend (it was Monday), or I cannot wait until 5pm when I finish work (it was 9am), I cannot wait until I go out later and the most popular I cannot wait until the new year? I have to ask will waiting for these things really make a difference? and what is it that you are truly waiting for?

It comes to mind that if you choose to wait too long you may never get to experience what you want. Happiness does not come to those who wait for happiness but to those who choose to have happiness now. Even a lottery win cannot guarantee happiness unless you had happiness in the first place. I stopped trying to win at long odds when my winning comes from short odds making someone smile. Telling those close to me that I love them for who they are!

My book is about the pursuit of a dream, a dream to discover who I am. We are all going through this discovery and we all have a unique insight into what brings us here today. Some experiences we are able to handle while others are more difficult then they seem. What do we do about them? Do we say we cannot wait for the moment to disappear or be buried in a false place, where we deny it exists and pretend to forget? Or do we stand up and be counted for it?
It takes a real character to face their own truths. I know I have had to face my own, that is why I am able to now release a piece of work that shares the types of experiences we have either had ourselves or at least experienced through our peers. I AM is accepting the bad and the good, the ugly and the sublime whilst still able to make mistakes. I AM is accepting who I AM. I most certainly do!

It may be that I will have to postpone the launch of my book once again. I do apologise there are reasons beyond my control. I will tell you however, there is a blessing in everything and it may have opened another new door. Had I not been aware at the time I may never have walked through it.

These great pictures were taken in Africa by Vanessa Matthews and her good friend Veneshia Talbot. We all have the power to inspire.

Until next time.

http://www.myspace.com/alexanderjackman
http://www.alexanderjackman.com/

Close up with Alexander Jackman

Dear Readers,

It has been a long time; I shouldn't have left you. However, taking moments to write has been really scarce since I have been working towards the official launch of my book 'I AM'.

'I AM', is still travelling around the globe and I have to say the standards of photos have been raised yet again. In fact, I am thinking of presenting an award to the best amateur photo and best professional photo (so that it is a fair competition) at my book launch next year! Photos are now being taken in and around London. Please get in touch with me on facebook if you wish to read a preview of 'I AM' and would like to take some interesting photos of your own. If you are travelling to cities or villages out of London let me know and I shall provide a copy. I would like for my book to reach every city on the earth and if that is to remain possible then I need your help. It was always a dream of mine to travel around the world, whether I can or not in my lifetime, I do not know and I am certain that is the same for many of us. Therefore, what I have decided to do is ensure that this book travels to those places we may never be able to see for ourselves and as consolation we can say we have been there in spirit. I hope this will help you to see how dreams can be made possible.

I made my first guest appearance at Close Up in Brick Lane. I had a fantastic time and met some great people who had very inspiring words to share in my guestbook. I wish to thank them all for making me feel welcome, I have been away for too long to remember what it feels like to have people appreciate what I do. I hope you were pleased with what I had to show and I promise there is more to come.

I reserve a special thanks for the organisers, camera persons and photographers. In particular I would like to thank Elizabeth James for her photography but more importantly her character. If anyone is looking for a photographer that knows how to be reliable, punctual and equally passionate about the quality of her own work you need to get in touch with her. She is very efficient and does everything she says she is going to do. I definitely recommend getting in touch with her on Facebook she is very personable and we will continue to work together.

When you visit my website please feel free to leave 8 random words in my guestbook section. This is a perfect opportunity for you to get to know my writing style and also see how you are able to inspire me. As an added incentive I will decide what work can be published in forthcoming volumes and you will be credited for your words.

If you have any friends who ask questions about the book or the photos please encourage them to join the facebook group page since it is the best way for me to keep you all updated on my progress.

Great strides have been made since I first embarked on this journey and I am happy you are able to see something happen from the beginning. Who knows where it will go.

I will leave you with something written in my guestbook as illustrated by these photos last night in Brick lane.

Although you are standing by the shore @ the moment, soon the rest of the world will be your oyster!

Until next time.

Our time has come

Dear Readers,

There are significant moments in our lives however small or great that can define who we are, our character and ultimately determine whether we have the capacity to step out of our comfort zones. My grandfather at the age of 14, bold and determined, approached President Roosevelt on a visit to Trinidad and coolly asked him for a job. There are other moments too, what about the 8 year old boy that had witnessed his mother cry for the first time and vowed to be a better man than his father could ever be. Or the young girl who appears to have nothing left and says defiantly 'I can do this on my own!'. Like Oprah, she can become the most influential woman in the world. I am certain in our own childhood we have aspired to be that great icon that can change the lives of many. For one of us that dream has become reality today!

For years we have all been guilty of finding reasons to remain in fear of change, even when it is for the betterment of ourselves. Sometimes saying goodbye to the so called family, friends, partners, or lovers whom only serve to undermine and invalidate our existence is the best form of hello to a new beginning. We have made the decisions to the absolute detriment of ourselves, and blamed others for our failings since we were too afraid to take responsibility. We have even surrendered in defeat and placed our expectations on the shoulders of our younger generation. So I ask is this a not a burden we have taken too far? Since our dreams are now over, does it have to be theirs? Can they not have dreams of their own?

I see some important events taking place that will begin to change the mentality of our lost generation. This event is called THE NOW. Whatever happens in the US from today, let us remember it will not be overnight. So it is not as important what Obama decides to do as President. Instead his example should be used as a symbol of what is possible, and how far we can go if we want it bad enough. It is now more important what we do TODAY and TOMORROW. He has taken a leap of faith and won admirers around the globe with integrity and the ability to restore hope! So there is nothing that is impossible! His position as a President sets a new precedent for each and every one of us irrespective of our race, colour and creed. In 1963 Martin Luther had a dream, I feel a part of this dream came true in the early hours of this morning! So what about our own dreams and are we going to wait for someone else to realise them for us? Our choices today will affect our tomorrow. So make those choices.

'Genius does not simply reside in the few, but in all living beings'.

Until next time.

Not leaving my dreams to chance!

Dear Readers,

This is the third edition to my column. Since the last entry you have seen pictures of my book travelling the globe and there have been some important endorsements along the way. I feel that the momentum is building slowly and this period for me is really engaging and I am enjoying every minute of it. It is the only thing on my mind right now.

A few weeks ago my promotional team attended The Word Power event at the Emirates Stadium (home of Arsenal F.C.) I was happy I attended as it gave me a greater insight into where I want to be and how I intend to get there. As you can see in the picture I now have branded T-shirts, so if you spot them anywhere feel free to say hello. I also had the pleasure of meeting established authors and those who have published for the first time. The passion for their work was evident and it was important to find people who are prepared to make a valuable contribution to their own community.

One of my particular highlights was meeting Natasha Danvers who won Olympic Bronze medal at the Beijing Games. She is down to earth and has certainly shown me that despite her injuries dreams are still possible.

I was guest speaking at a school last week in Enfield followed by another one in East London on Friday and one of the things that struck me was the number of young people seriously aspiring to achieve. I feel that there is a genuine belief now that their thoughts can be reality. They certainly had successful people there to help them along, including Yolanda Brown (winner of MOBOs for Jazz category). I met her about 4 years ago and have watched her grow into an amazing performer! She is definitely an example of what can be done when you make good effective use of your talents. The event was a success and I was happy to be a part of it.

I also want to mention another person who has given me a platform and important words of advice when I first started out. He is one of the funniest guys I know in the UK and has supported the UK scene for a long time and is now moving to the US. He gave me the confidence to keep writing and to work hard and stay focused. So Kojo I just want to thank you for your timely intervention you were one of the first people to show me that I can be whatever I wanted to be just by following your example. I wish you all the best in your new venture.

There is still a lot of work to be done before unveiling my launch date and book signing event. I do not intend on leaving my own dreams to chance.

Until next time.