Kenneth Munkens:
CLASS OF 1965
Dumont High SchoolClass of 1965
Dumont, NJ
Kenneth's Story
If anything is true it is the fact that you can neither plan your life nor predict the future. So, live it and enjoy the good times, endure the tragedies, and, by God, find yourself. After graduating St. Peter's College I entered the exciting, uh, stressful, demanding, unforgiving, fantastic world of advertising. I've worked on some of the world's biggest accounts, met famous personalities, been fired, worked seven days a week, and met my wife - Phyllis. Because she was a modern dancer I found myself with a second career as a techie, creative, and stage manager of a dance company in New York City. By day planning advertising campaigns and by night stringing lights and running up the curtain. Sleep - it's over-rated.
During this time I also earned my Shodan black belt in karate. We always talked about adoption and after nine years of marriage we gave each other toys for Christmas and knew it was time. Robin Yung-Shim our first daughter arrived from Korea September 1982. I learned to change diapers, worry, do middle of the night feedings, worry, play with dolls, worry, and feel like the luckiest man alive.
After working on the Datsun to Nissan name change I was recruited to an advertising agency in Winston-Salem, NC. And, I don't even speak the language. In July, 1988 we welcomed our second daughter Nancy Raine. She goes by the name Raine. I became a vice-president and served on the management of the agency while also playing semi-pro ice hockey. On my birthday, after the ladies of a bellydancing troupe that I had helped did a performance for me at the rink, I scored the tying and winning goals. Go on coach, beat that!
The tides come and go in the world of advertising and we moved a number of times. My first novel, Downtown Dreams, was published in June, 2000. I'm working on a second story that takes place in the sixties. We've settled in Charlotte, NC and I now have more work than I can handle with Munkens Consulting. Both daughters are graduating from college this year, hurrah. Now, if my nine year old Miata will just last a little longer.
I didn't plan for most of what I have enjoyed, but I do appreciate the miracles that have come my way.
Chapter2:
Both daughters graduated from college. Robin surprised us by announcing her wedding in two months. We did it, but my Miata didn't make it. The radiator blew on one of those warm 99+ days. Raine now lives in Austin, TX and is working with an autistic student. Her interest is music therapy. Robin is working with a non-profit and starting her career.
My wife and I have done work on the house, however until we dig out from colleges and a wedding we will have to settle for moving a picture from here to there. I did get a new Miata so I remain a sports car guy even if everyone thinks it's a mid-life crisis.
Empty nest, empty wallet, life filled with treasures.
Chapter3:
My oldest daughter, Robin, and her husband have decided to become farmers and raise cattle. We gave them a few acres to start with and they have done an outstanding job. I helped with some of the tilling and fence work but had to be careful as I am recovering from getting a stent in my main artery. Because of my athletic involvement my heart is very strong. Take that those of you who thought that I was heartless. I do 2 miles every day except Sunday and feel great.
I have a new client. Those of you that are anti-gun turn away. It is the largest gun store in America. The owner and his wife are wonderful people who have become friends. We are producing educational videos under the name RA Factor. I qualified for my concealed carry permit with a CZ75B and actually shot skeet last weekend. OK, I shot at skeet. The birds of North Carolina are feeling a little safer today.
Not that anyone of you care, we finally replaced the 10 year old rug in the den and had hardwood installed and tile in the kitchen and entry. This is big news because we have never ha...Expand for more
d the money to replace rugs in all the places that we have lived. Somehow this is a big moment - sniff.
Chapter 4
OK, we adopted a Basenji a year and a half ago and she insists on doing two miles every day. Good for my health and she is really a fun dog. As of today, I have completed 43 chapters of my new novel, Rude Awakening. I have readers who give me feedback as I progress. This keeps me on track, eliminates any areas of confusion, and motivates me to write on those late evenings when I'm tired and just want to sit in front of the TV and endlessly search for something to watch. I'm also writing a novelette, Black Ice, that we are using in a client's monthly newsletter to raise interest and readership. My readers have been very complimentary and I've even had readers come to Charlotte to meet me. Trust me, meeting me is nothing special.
My older daughter has begun building her house. It's a barn that is a house. Really cool. I did the floor plan and will be doing the electrical wiring. Of course, it will have to be inspected. I fully expect to hear, "Who the hell did that?"
Started a new creative project titled 2076AD. It is an ongoing story about life in the United States in, you guessed it, 2076. Those interested can read a text version or illustrated text version or read it on YouTube. There is a website, you guessed it again, 2076AD.com.
My younger daughter, Raine, now works in development in the music department at the University of Texas, Austin. It's a great position in a neat (oh, how 60s of me) city. We'll never get her back to Charlotte. The wiring in my older daughter's house is complete and her husband and I had a lot of fun building the stairs. It was quite educational.
Chapter 5
My latest novels, Black Ice and Rude Awakening in 1969 are available on Amazon and Kindle. It was a long process but worth it as both stories are really good (not simply my opinion).
We recently lost our 16 year old Carolina Dog, Mattie. After a few weeks we decided to add to our family. Maggie May is a year old and had been abused. She is really sweet and deserves a good home. They lied about the housebroken thing, but after a week she is doing quite well. All it takes is standing out in our yard sounding like complete idiots congratulating her when she goes. Nobody ever congratulates me.
I'm doing the allergy shot thing and hope they start to make a difference soon. I'm tired of my nose always being stuffy. Gotta go. Need to take Maggie May out and do my happy dance.
Chapter 6
My fourth novel, Satan's Shadow, had been released and I've received emails from readers who have been quite complimentary. I don't have an over-inflated ego, but with the validation from readers I know I am a highly creative and compelling writer. At present, I'm working on two more books. Our daughters are doing well pursuing their dreams and living the life. They are strong, intelligent, and caring individuals of whom I am very proud. Phyllis and I have been married 45 years. She hasn't shot me so I guess all is well.
Chapter 7
When I first pursued a writing career everything was an unknown. Did I have the talent to spin an interesting yarn? Would I be disciplined enough to put in the hours required? Was writer's block waiting out there to pounce once I started down that road? Are there enough wild ideas hiding in my id to nurture a story? Five novels later, I am satisfied and confident. Readers have been extremely complimentary and often after reading one read all my novels. Yesterday, I couldn't spell encyclopedia, today I am a novelist. The crowning glory came a few weeks ago when my novel, 2076AD, that I dedicated to President Trump was hand-delivered to the President. And, a copy of Black Ice was given to the First Lady. Whether or not they actually read my tomes is unimportant. It is the fact that people who are familiar with my work made such a well-appreciated gesture.
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