AUTHOR'S PICTO-BIO

Dec 02, 2020 - 08:41 Leave a Comment 1273 views

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For more Elysium''s Passage Blog Posts, go to

https://digitalbloggers.com/arts-and-entertainment/ep-blog-posts for over 130 links or
https://digitalbloggers.com/articles/elysiumspassage for the host site

This is a (very) brief summary of some of the important people and events in my life. I apologize for the grammatical errors since the programme is not allowing me to save my correc

I was born in Edmonton, Alberta in 1949. My father served with the Royal Canadian Air Force in Britain during WWII before passing away from cancer in 1951. See more WW2 pictures on the post Commemoration to my Father's 100th

https://digitalbloggers.com/arts-and-entertain undefined ment/my-father-s-100th

In 1952, my mother and I moved to Whitehorse, Yukon, where she worked at a native school for a few years. There was little pay, other than being provided room and board for us. However, that was sufficient since she wanted to get away from her grief by surrounding herself with wonderful people while helping others. The birthday photo below was taken just before we left.

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In 1956, we moved back to the farm in Alberta; I attended a one-room country school where I walked each day. There was no indoor plumbing in either our home or school. Heating was only by coal and wood, as in our farmhouse. Back then, I didn't feel deprived; it was all normal.

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In undefined 1957, we moved not far away to Wetaskiwin, a town about 50 miles south of Edmonton, where I graduated in 1967. I was active in almost all sports including hockey, baseball, football, gymnastics, football, track and field, etc

After graduating from high school I decided to travel North America without any firm destination in mind. After about six months I ended up in Clearwater, Florida in 1968 where I lived until 1971 as a student at Trinity College, a parochial school while also attending St Petersburg Junior College.

Moving back to Alberta from Florida, I settled in Calgary while attended The University of Calgary over the next six years. In 1973/4 I served at Vice President of the Student Union.

The following are some late 70s pictures early 80s.

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In 1 undefined 975 I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy/English and in 1977 a Bachelor’s degree in Education (Secondary). Later I took a few graduate-level courses since I intended to enrol in graduate studies one day. In total, I have 10 years of post-secondary education.

I married in 1976. Shortly thereafter, we decided to move to Edmonton where I began my commercial real estate career. I was qualified to teach high school but instead decided to get rich quick in real estate – which I did, at least for a time, beginning as a commercial real estate broker than a land developer.

I incorporated my development company in 1979 and had several land holdings across the province and in Midland, Texas. After having become prosperous within four years, I lost it all in the early 1980s primarily due to the federal government’s National Energy Programme that decimated the local province’s economy. With my land assets have depreciated to just a fraction of what I paid, I lost most everything, including my home. By 1984 it was all over.

I shut down my business operations in Edmonton and Texas (Midland and Austin) and moved back to Calgary to start over again. I joined Colliers International but it was a very tough grind after the big crash in the oil patch. But slowly I began to build up my assets again by leasing downtown office buildings and soon got on my feet again. I then bought a comfortable home for the family.

undefined My first son, Daniel, was born in 1982 and my second son was born 1985. Throughout the years, I’ve maintained excellent relations with my sons and see them regularly with their families.

I took a few years off real estate in the early to mid-90s to work for a humanitarian organization where I hoped my life would remain in international development work. However, due to lack of funding, it was not possible for me to continue. And so in 1997, I returned to real estate, joining CBRE (formerly CB Richard Ellis), focusing primarily on land sales.

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A few years later I joined a few former real estate colleagues in a small ‘boutique’ brokerage in Calgary. Until recently I remained licensed but am inactive.

I was divorced in 2001 and have remained single ever since.

I have enjoyed travelling to various parts of the world since then. My mother is now 96 and requires more attention, although she remains in relatively good health.

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Unfortunately, I got caught in a few disastrous tech investments over the last 12 years, and then, most recently, a real estate initiative investment in several houses and an apartment building in Southern Alberta. Due to the cancellation of a government project at the last minute, values crashed and I lost much of my savings over the last few years while writing the Elysium books. At times it concerns whether I should continue writing or go back into business.

I first began to write in early 2013 and haven’t stopped since. I have revised and rewritten the first books at least 18 times while continuing to edit the other novels in the series along with my eBook on the strange tale of how the series came about. I often write all day for ten hours or more. This has been exhilarating work but has also been by far the most difficult task of my life.

I undefined n the spring of 2013, my grandson Henry came into the world. This has been a highlight for me. However, a few years ago he moved his parents to Kelowna, British Columbia. Still, I enjoy visiting my family there.

As for other activities; I enjoy spending time at my cabins in the foothills with friends. In 1990, three of my camping friends and I purchased 14 acres of land, which has been the source of much fun, partying, hiking and solace. (See my cabin photo posts).

Cabin Photos One
https://digitalbloggers.com/arts-and-entertainment/my-cabin-photos

Cabin Photos Two
https://digitalbloggers.com/arts-and-entertainment/cabin-photos-two

Cabin Photos Three
http://digitalbloggers.com/arts-and-entertainment/cabin-photos-three

I have enjoyed climbing in the Rockies over the years while 'peaking’ over 40 summits. This also includes plenty of camping in the mountains. However, due to problems with my knees, while descending the steep slopes, I am no longer able to do this, although I still ski occasionally. (See the blog posts of my mountain photos).

1. Mountain Photos One
https://digitalbloggers.com/arts-and-entertainment/photos

2. Mountain Photos Two
https://digitalbloggers.com/arts-and-entertainment/mountain-photos2

3. Mountain Photos Three
https://digitalbloggers.com/arts-and-entertainment/mountain-photos-three

Through the years, particularly after becoming single, I visited Germany, Scotland, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Taiwan, Turkey, Russia, Austria, Cuba, Bahamas, Haiti, Mexico, along with several trips to the southern areas of the United States. During this time I remained active in commercial real estate, primarily involved in land negotiations and acquisitions.

Another formative activity for me in the past was being part of a book discussion group with up to six men of various ages. We met early Sunday mornings for breakfast at a restaurant to discuss whatever book we agreed to discuss. On average, we spent 12 weeks discussing each book, or four each year, meeting each week for close to 25 years. The books were generally classics in fiction and non-fiction with well-known authors.

For the last 20 years, I've been meeting in my home with friends and acquaintances featuring book discussion zoom meetings.

At this time, I enjoy the simple pleasures of life such as time at my cabin with friends and hiking in nature.

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.... where I wish I was now

All posts on this blog site may be accessed on the above website by clicking on MY BLOG

Let's stay connected. Be sure to 'friend' me under Neil Meyers in Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/neil.meyers.1

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SUMMARY OF ELYSIUM'S PASSAGE

The ELYSIUM'S PASSAGE novel series is a seven-book narration about a young British philosopher named James Phillips who finds himself living in an altered state of reality while still remaining on earth.

After experiencing a near-fatal fall while climbing to the summit of a remote mountain in the Andes, James awakens in a new dimension. He soon encounters two mysterious beings who provide him with a very different perspective on the nature of his existence. Over the next year, before his body recovers from the coma, he is challenged to re-examine his understanding about life’s meaning and purpose far beyond anything he previously believed or could believe.

An engaging and sometime surreal adventure with intimations of impending romance, the narrative explores the most important questions about life, death, reality and our ultimate destiny.

The Plains of Elysium (Champs-Élysées) was described by Homer, Hesiod, Virgil and many other poets as the paradisiac afterlife realm reserved for heroes. As the title suggests, this is about a journey through a passage that leads towards Elysium’s exciting realm of existence.

Read a sample press review at https://www.prweb.com/releases/2018/05/prweb15515775.htm

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The following comments are among the first Amazon reviews of Elysium’s Passage: The Summit. All are Five Stars! Others reader reviews are included below, along with excerpts from two professional reviews. To read full reviews, go to READER REVIEWS on www.elysiumspassage.com

"Quietly, gently, and without imposition, the Author unfolds the pages, creating an intricate, interlocking bridge spanning the chasm between mind and heart. Renewing, refreshing, restoring. In my bereavement, it was vigil and light…"

"A delightful mix of fantasy, reality, conjecture and humour; Mr Meyers draws the reader into the story with a gentle narrative that captures the imagination, leaving one anxious to get to the next page drawing you into his exceptional world.”

“Excellently written with an exceedingly deep understanding of this world and the next. The characters are very well written and engaging. I can't wait to complete this book!"

“Takes the reader on both a philosophical and spiritual journey, a journey that at times is both disquieting and tranquil. James, a British Philosopher can be irreverent and caustic, traits that should have left me cringing, but instead made me laugh out loud. Elysium’s Passage is a fun, enlightening and remarkable book.”

“This is a masterful fantasy, becoming a real possibility, as the reader is drawn into the story. The Summit leaves you anxious for the next book in the series, yet also leaves you totally satisfied with the world you have just visited. Genius! An exciting, yet calming, experience that is not to be missed."

"There was hardly a page on which I did not find at least one sentence worthy of hi-lighting for future reference. In addition, I thoroughly enjoyed the main character, James, whose personality and passionate verbal exchanges with the other characters, kept me coming back for more. I am reading the book for a second time while I wait for the next one in this series to be made available."

“N.G. Meyers has clearly put a great deal of research and thought into what the afterlife may look like and I like his perspective. It’s an altogether welcoming and exciting vision. The book gives one a great deal to think about and a reassuring confidence that the end of our lives is truly the beginning of life in the next. I highly recommend it."

“The humour interjected into a serious discussion makes me laugh out loud. Totally unexpected....l may be in the presence of at least a master, if not a genius. A fair ride into reality... seeking that which is unseen, yet absolutely real.”

“An engaging story of adventure embracing man's deepest desire to search for meaning and purpose, N.G. Meyers takes the reader on an adventurous thought-provoking journey. This book has substance. It is a perfect blend of adventure and fantasy combined with spiritual philosophy. It ignited my imagination. The author magically weaves a good story laced with wit and humour together with deep philosophical wisdom. This book has it all!”

“An evolution in thought is triggered by many fresh philosophical themes which could inspire readers to re-think their reality and former ideologies that have dictated their lives… the author fires readers’ imaginations to view what could be possible when spirit vacates the body.”

“This is the book spiritual seekers have been waiting for. For me, it granted a great read as well as increased inspiration to live every day with a heightened sense of purpose. I highly recommend it.

“The Summit is capable of hooking readers and luring them to search for Book 2 to discover more about Dr. Philip’s surreal trek into the mysterious unknown universe. This thick book is well worth the read and to share…”

“Mind-blowing statements and speculation (‘…everyone is a non-physical thought form conceived in the Mind of God, preserved for all eternity because God’s thoughts never die…’). Many will find Meyers’ journey up the Mountain intriguing—and possibly even life-changing.” (BLUEINK REVIEW)

“In its effort to grapple with fundamental questions about the meaning of life, it raises questions that have echoed throughout the ages, including about where we come from, where we are going, who we are.” (CLARION REVIEW)

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