Dennis Spielman

Released: We Want Babies Now!

On July 9, 2013

I am happy to release a new book!

We Want Babies Now! by Leslie Keller-Kenton and Dennis Spielman is a children’s style book for adults about a family trying to hurry along the husband and wife’s plans for babies. Couples who have dealt with family wanting babies will surely enjoy this fun story.

Download We Want Babies Now in a .PDF
The book is currently available for free to download and read as a PDF and may become available in other formats depending on demand. Want to see a printed version? Have feedback on this book? Let me know.

Fading Away on the Union Jack

By Dennis

On July 5, 2013

In Real

Let us rest here
We do not have much time
Take my hand, friend
We do not have much time
Let us fade away
We do not have much time

“Fading Away on the Union Jack”
Photography and poem by Dennis Spielman.
Models: Cory Phillips and Philip Geurin.
Floor Art painted by Ciera Renee Terry.
Taken April 28, 2013 at the Reduxion Theatre in Oklahoma City, OK, USA

Travel Log: May 28, 2013

By Dennis

On July 2, 2013

In Real

For the last day with my family on my trip to Georgia, we went to Atlanta as I had a flight to catch that evening. My sister and I took the tram from Doraville into the city and rode it throughout various spots. Our first stop was the Woodruff Arts Center where we went to the High Museum of Art (1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA). The museum had a diverse permanent collection of art. One of things both my sister and I thought was interesting was that along with paintings and sculptures, there was matching furniture with the artwork.

After the museum, we walked around downtown, strolling by the olympic park and the Coca-Cola Store before we met up with my parents for lunch at The Varsity (61 North Avenue, Atlanta, GA). The atmosphere is neat with its modern retro design, but the food was basic fast-food. They are the World’s Largest Drive-in with more than two acres that can accommodate 600 cars and over eight hundred people inside. (In my memory, it didn’t seem that big, but it was big.) I learned that U.S. presidents Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama have all visited The Varsity during their terms in office.

My parents dropped my sister and I off at the Underground Atlanta shopping center. Oddly, I didn’t take any pictures of it even though it was picture worthy. It’s a underground mall. Nothing huge – just a shopping center. Had some time left before my flight, so we went back to the World of Coca-Cola (121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA) and visited it. The World of Coca-Cola is a permanent exhibition featuring the history of The Coca-Cola Company. We loved it. There was a cheesy 4D movie, interactive exhibits, a free tasting room of drinks from around the world, and there’s even a fault where the secret recipe for Coke is (supposedly) kept.

With my flighting leaving in a few hours, we took the tram to the airport and I flew back to the Oklahoma City with me being the very last person to board the fight while three other people had to wait until tomorrow.

Recommendation: Geekomancy

By Dennis

On June 27, 2013

In Real

It’s time for me to write a book review on a story I read a few months ago. I saw an advertisement for Geekomancy by Michael R Underwood on Facebook where it described itself as “Clerks meets Buffy the Vampire the Slayer.” Of course, this had be intrigued. Geekomancy is an urban fantasy story about comic book shop barista, Ree Reyes, as she uncovers the world of Geekomancers – people that derive supernatural powers from pop culture. If you’ve seen the TV series, Warehouse 13, this is a geek version of it in way. To rehash the book’s description a bit, the story ramps up when a scruffy-looking guy, Eastwood, enters the comic shop looking for a comic like his life depends on it. Ree writes it off as just another day until she hears a gigantic “BOOM!” in the alley and ends up following Eastwood into the hidden magical world of Geekomancy.

The book is packed with so many pop culture references that seeing a movie version of Geekomancy is highly unlikely, especially since there are scenes where Ree gets superpowers from works as Harry Potter and the deductive powers of the new BBC Sherlock (complete with seeing texts in her mind). The story is visual treat too from the the comic book shop to the Dorkcave and all of the imaginative gadgets. The book is an adventurous ride with secrets revealed in every chapter, making Geekomancy a great read that was hard for me to put down and so it gets my recommendation.

A small footnote: When writing this review, I found out that a sequel, Celebromancy, will be released in July and I will be buying it.

Travel Log: May 27, 2013

By Dennis

On June 16, 2013

In Real

For the second full day with my family on my trip to Georgia, we visited the tourist town, Helen. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains on the Chattahoochee River, this Northeast Georgia town is a re-creation of an alpine village. The town features cobblestone alleys, windmills, and old-world towers. With their strict building codes, even morden places as the fast-food burger restaurant, Wendys, follows the same look of the town.

Helen has all types of tourist shops – from glass blowing, wine/beer tasting, wooden toys, and souvenir shops. One of my favorite was, Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen (8651 N. Main St., Helen, GA). You can watch them make fudge and chocolate dip treats.

My sister and I rode the river on a river tube with Cool River Tubing Company. Starting at $5 a person, one can take an hour or two hour long trip down the river, which will flow through downtown. The ride can be either relaxing or adventurous. I would recommended buying a stick if you’re worried about getting stuck and not having control. The ride was incredible.

Helen took up the bulk of our day. We drove around Georgia, looking at passing towns. We had a great dinner at Italy’s Pizza and Pasta Company (2590 Hamilton Mill Rd, Buford, GA) and that was the end of the day.