Having an extremely difficult day I only wish I could really understand what it is I keep on thinking about. Funny thing is I do understand, but do not have the courage to go through with what I have been thinking about. strangely enough a smile has been forming on my face for the past few hours. I am currently reading through some of my past entries and cringing at how terrible the english and grammar are. But this one is seconds away from being being well I don't even know, still this blog post I wrote some time ago has really hit home this afternoon.
From the vault:
Hail Drops are falling on my head
Saturday, March 19, 2005
Saturday evening Bruce, Sheila, Kim and I decided to go on a double date. The plan was, go out to dinner together and from there the split up and go do whatever it was each us wanted. We took both cars in order to ensure maximum distance and secrecy from the falcon-like eyes of the elders after dinner. I found myself right at home in the Texas based steak house Bruce and Sheila choose BJ
After a brief joke session and the appetizer, which was actually big enough to be a four course meal, I swore to myself and my stomach I was never going to eat again. A seemingly short time later as our waiter brought the salads and soups I wondered if stomach pumps were included as a complementary service for customers. By the time the main course (a 16oz steak) came to the table Mr. Tummy and I were on the verge of a digestive tract breakdown. “Oh lord where are the Tums”. At least I saved some room for the dessert the “ChocTanic.” And oh yes we brought home the doggy bags.
Following our dinner fit for the Hulk, Bruce and Sheila gave us some driving directions to a club entitled Jillians. Not a far drive, Jillians, according to their research it was supposed to be quite the place to hang out. So Kim and I hoped into out sleek Bullet Red…….”Family…….Mini,,,Van””Yeah..”. And headed off, what we did not know was that a very interesting night of laughing, tanning, sitting, and pondering was in order.
Arriving at this Jullians our initial impression was one of good nature. Valet Parking, Neon lights, water fountains, bouncers, tons of clubs, even a live band playing right outside (pretty good might I add) filled the entire area. However our initial impressions were soon filled with feelings of curiosity. Yes there were lots of teenaged kids, but none not a college student was to be seen. And right along intertwined with them were old people. I mean the median age must have been about 40 (as I am sure not a single 40 year old adorned the streets that night). The streets were filled with both the munchkin land-like ambiance of High School kids, and the formaldehyde smell of old people.
A strange place. Kim and I walked around hoping to find a group of college kids and follow them in the shadows to a secret college spot that only college students knew about, but were unsuccessfully disappointed. However along our walk I did get a sun tan from the flamingly bright, as I honestly believe that every guy with a compass that didn’t point to north was out (a.k.a. not straight PPL). It was about that time that Kim and I realized where we were. A perfect place for kids between the ages of 14 and 17, and the grandparents that brought them. Most of the clubs read you must be 21 to enter and the ones that did not require the age were totally filled with ankle biters. We then retreated to the relative safety of Borders to see on the off chance if they had Wil Wheaton's other book “Dancing Barefoot”. Nope guess it’s more of a specialty item. We found a group of street performers and enjoyed their tunes until we decided it would be time enough such that the parents would not wonder why we were home so earyly.
At this point Kim and I both dazed and confused, decided we would be better suited back at home watching a movie of our own choosing. Where we could snuggle without wide eyed staring kids just waiting to yell our “OOOOOOOOhhhhOOOOOO” or the criticism of old people who thought that anything more than holding hands in public is a sin. We drove back in the family mini van over the next fourty minutes to her parents house while made fun of the various weird evening events that had taken place.
Arriving back home we watched “The Rock”and some other movies I really can't remember even watching. The most wonderful 64 hours of my life happened over that weekend, my how I miss them.
Temba Goes on Sale
After months of writing, the first printing of Temba is now available for purchase. There are two ways to get it, first head on over to my lulu store front. There you will see Temba, you have the choice of either ordering the physical book, or downloading a pdf version. There is no difference between the two, only that the download is cheaper and it is just that, a download. It may not be the next Harry Potter, but hope you all enjoy it none the less. I've had really fun times and also some very somber moments writing this book but in the end it doesn't even matter.
Now, I think I am going to have a Scotch and Cigar to celebrate.
P.S. Look for an audio book option in the future.
I'd like to thank everyone who helped me so much in the writing, editing and brainstorming for this baby without everyone's help I can't imagine what would have become of this idea without you all.
Now lets just hope the printed version comes out right.
Winter Beads
The frigid night air cut through the paper thin wall of the green Eureka ‘A’ frame tent, as a small layer of frost slowly began to encapsulate my evening fortifications. The air turned in to little ice crystals after each breath. The only apparent noise other than the air’s shrill through the naked winter trees, were the drowned out fish tales of brave beer up ice fishermen floating off the desolate frozen lake into the night. A few dwindling camp fires speckled the black banks of the lake adding to a small smog hanging low above the lake.
Rolling back a forth excavating a comfortable ditch to hopefully spend the next few hours in, the snow creaked and groaned compacting under the heavy weight of my mummy sleeping bag. Three penguin hand warmers strategically placed along the length of the bag provided the extra warmth needed to shield myself from the harsh nature of Wisconsin. Before long, my eyes grew heavy and the soft flapping of the rain fly serenaded me into dreamland.
I had spent the past four years attempting to acquire the infamous and illusive white bead which was awarded to any scout who spent an evening sleeping outside in the dead of winter in either a tent or igloo, and woke up to a fresh coating of snow. Now if I didn’t have the bead it wasn’t from a lack of trying, each winter camp-out had come for me with a cold outside night and left with no snow and no white bead, while my fellow scouts spent their evenings tucked away inside the cozy fire heated cabin.
Until one night defying the ruling of the adult leaders that it was too cold to safely sleep outside, something happened, “Something Wonderful”.
Rolling back a forth excavating a comfortable ditch to hopefully spend the next few hours in, the snow creaked and groaned compacting under the heavy weight of my mummy sleeping bag. Three penguin hand warmers strategically placed along the length of the bag provided the extra warmth needed to shield myself from the harsh nature of Wisconsin. Before long, my eyes grew heavy and the soft flapping of the rain fly serenaded me into dreamland.
I had spent the past four years attempting to acquire the infamous and illusive white bead which was awarded to any scout who spent an evening sleeping outside in the dead of winter in either a tent or igloo, and woke up to a fresh coating of snow. Now if I didn’t have the bead it wasn’t from a lack of trying, each winter camp-out had come for me with a cold outside night and left with no snow and no white bead, while my fellow scouts spent their evenings tucked away inside the cozy fire heated cabin.
Until one night defying the ruling of the adult leaders that it was too cold to safely sleep outside, something happened, “Something Wonderful”.
That one Piece of the Puzzle
The more and more I edit Temba the more I think its missing a chapter, which I am having a really tough time trying to figure out what exactly it is I think it's missing. As I am sure most of you know Temba is going to have both new stories and some older more revised ones. So far the chapters pretty much cover all the major time era's in my life which is making this search for the perfect short filler story just that much more difficult. Anyway, if anyone has any ideas for stories you wish I would have wrote about in the past drop me a line, email me, comment on this post, or whatever. I'm counting on you all to help me out here, who knows your request might just be in the book.
Lets see oh I just ordered my evening ticket for This American Life LIVE. I am so excited about it. I guess basiclly they are doing a live show and just streaming it to various movie theatres around the United States on on Thursday, April 23rd. check it out here.
Well as long as I'm up I guess Ill do some work on the performance piece I am writing for my theatre class it's my final. Hopefully when we do it I can find a way to record it for you guys, or at the least I suppose I could post the script. Either way I am really looking forward to seeing how it comes out in class. And just because I know you are wondering what it is about I'll give you a tiny teaser. "Imagine a future world" (sorry couldn't resist). The year 2401, two hundred years have passed since Nuclear War destroyed all forms of digital anything. All digital devices have been rendered useless by the electromagnetic fields caused by the atom bombs. Of course there has been no such thing as paper books or records for many years. However, the only known remaining records have been kept under lock and key by an elite group of nerds who have learned (from playing video games) how to survive nuclear war. Now they must teach the gospel of their ways and rebuild what is left of society upon their sacred records which have written on them "Star Trek."
Oh and before I forget some of the illustrations for Temba are starting to come in, you are all going to love them. Thanks to Torian for helping me out so much with these.
Lets see oh I just ordered my evening ticket for This American Life LIVE. I am so excited about it. I guess basiclly they are doing a live show and just streaming it to various movie theatres around the United States on on Thursday, April 23rd. check it out here.
Well as long as I'm up I guess Ill do some work on the performance piece I am writing for my theatre class it's my final. Hopefully when we do it I can find a way to record it for you guys, or at the least I suppose I could post the script. Either way I am really looking forward to seeing how it comes out in class. And just because I know you are wondering what it is about I'll give you a tiny teaser. "Imagine a future world" (sorry couldn't resist). The year 2401, two hundred years have passed since Nuclear War destroyed all forms of digital anything. All digital devices have been rendered useless by the electromagnetic fields caused by the atom bombs. Of course there has been no such thing as paper books or records for many years. However, the only known remaining records have been kept under lock and key by an elite group of nerds who have learned (from playing video games) how to survive nuclear war. Now they must teach the gospel of their ways and rebuild what is left of society upon their sacred records which have written on them "Star Trek."
Oh and before I forget some of the illustrations for Temba are starting to come in, you are all going to love them. Thanks to Torian for helping me out so much with these.
Get Ready for Temba!
While I spend the next few days really putting finish touches on the book I though I'd give you a taste of some of the new material enjoy.
The contents of my dice bag lay scattered about the bedroom floor. The knot on the end of little draw string which normally holds the bag closed had come undone, gravity ensued, and demonstrated why its the law. A d6 here, a d8 over there under the dresser, like numbered stars in a carpeted universe they speckled the floor.
I tie the end of the broken string with the best square knot I can muster and pass it over the flame of a lighter to seal the deal. One by one I pick up the numbered polygons.
“Where the hell is my D20?” I mentally shouted.
***
Click click scratch, the red opaque 'Lady Luck' casino squares rolled along the flat surface of Grandma's dining room table while my cousin Jackie yelled out something about “double sixes.” The name of the game, Monopoly, the goal, beat the girls and ensure my tyrannical reign of the Boardwalk is never threatened.
I take a sip from the purple twisty straw sticking out of the 7up can in front of me. Its color changing to a shade of neon blue as the cool soda passes around its many curves.
“Cool, Needo! What color does yours turn?” The girls yell at one another.
The subsequent sound of slurping soda and prepubescent girlie giggles soon filled the kitchen.
“Grandma, Grandpa come quick look at this!” My cousin Jackie exclaimed.
Half expecting to see one of us with our hand down the garbage disposal both grandparents appear out of nowhere.
“Our twisty straws change color when you drink from them!”
“Mine turns blue!” I yell.
Alternating sound of hot and cold water running under the kitchen sink fill the house for quite some time after words, that is until our grandparents arms were unable to lift us up to the sink anymore. With no more soda and fresh out of grandparents to lift us up for entertainment, we returned to our game. The aluminum car, thimble, and dog glint under the light of the chandelier, I picked up the dice and prepared to roll...
The contents of my dice bag lay scattered about the bedroom floor. The knot on the end of little draw string which normally holds the bag closed had come undone, gravity ensued, and demonstrated why its the law. A d6 here, a d8 over there under the dresser, like numbered stars in a carpeted universe they speckled the floor.
I tie the end of the broken string with the best square knot I can muster and pass it over the flame of a lighter to seal the deal. One by one I pick up the numbered polygons.
“Where the hell is my D20?” I mentally shouted.
Click click scratch, the red opaque 'Lady Luck' casino squares rolled along the flat surface of Grandma's dining room table while my cousin Jackie yelled out something about “double sixes.” The name of the game, Monopoly, the goal, beat the girls and ensure my tyrannical reign of the Boardwalk is never threatened.
I take a sip from the purple twisty straw sticking out of the 7up can in front of me. Its color changing to a shade of neon blue as the cool soda passes around its many curves.
“Cool, Needo! What color does yours turn?” The girls yell at one another.
The subsequent sound of slurping soda and prepubescent girlie giggles soon filled the kitchen.
“Grandma, Grandpa come quick look at this!” My cousin Jackie exclaimed.
Half expecting to see one of us with our hand down the garbage disposal both grandparents appear out of nowhere.
“Our twisty straws change color when you drink from them!”
“Mine turns blue!” I yell.
Alternating sound of hot and cold water running under the kitchen sink fill the house for quite some time after words, that is until our grandparents arms were unable to lift us up to the sink anymore. With no more soda and fresh out of grandparents to lift us up for entertainment, we returned to our game. The aluminum car, thimble, and dog glint under the light of the chandelier, I picked up the dice and prepared to roll...
Wheres Walter
As chance would happen I have been catching up on some episodes of This American Life, my favorite netcast. Last weeks episode ironicly it brings me back to my home city of Fond du Lac WI. Where at the Ramada Hotel a Ghost haunts the guests. Ill just throw in that I spent a good amount of time there for various things over the years.Find it here
From 'This american Life'
Act Two. Where's Walter?
Starlee Kine rents a room at a Ramada hotel in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, where a ghost supposedly plays pranks on the guests and staff. The ghost's name is Walter, for Walter Schroeder, the guy who originally built the hotel in the 1920s. It turns out Walter was a successful businessman and a kindly philanthropist who threw great dinner parties. So why would he bother haunting a Ramada? Starlee originally wrote and read a version of this story for The Little Gray Books Lecture Series. (14 minutes)
Update
Hey everyone,
I spose you have realized there hasn't been much new posting in the past few weeks, but fear not there is a reason. In the time I have taken from writing for the blog I have been writing a book. Yes that's right a real actual book with real pages and bindings. In the I am currently on the final revisions of the book and for lack of better terminology, am in post production. Currently I am waiting on a few illustrations a friend of mine has been doing and going through and fixing as much bad grammar as I can find. NOTE: A friend of a friend has an actual editor who has agreed to take a look at the book when I think it is ready this should be a great help.
Anyway I've been working really hard on this thing for everybody and I hope when it comes out you all enjoy it. Speaking of which. When its ready you will be able to find it here at my lulu store front . I am also looking into turning the paper book into an audio book. I have tried to do some reading into my mic here on my computer with limited sucess. I really hope I can do an audio book as well as the stories in here really become allot more fun when you hear me read them.
Well that's all for now check back for the release date of the book I am naming Tebma 'His arms open'.
I spose you have realized there hasn't been much new posting in the past few weeks, but fear not there is a reason. In the time I have taken from writing for the blog I have been writing a book. Yes that's right a real actual book with real pages and bindings. In the I am currently on the final revisions of the book and for lack of better terminology, am in post production. Currently I am waiting on a few illustrations a friend of mine has been doing and going through and fixing as much bad grammar as I can find. NOTE: A friend of a friend has an actual editor who has agreed to take a look at the book when I think it is ready this should be a great help.
Anyway I've been working really hard on this thing for everybody and I hope when it comes out you all enjoy it. Speaking of which. When its ready you will be able to find it here at my lulu store front . I am also looking into turning the paper book into an audio book. I have tried to do some reading into my mic here on my computer with limited sucess. I really hope I can do an audio book as well as the stories in here really become allot more fun when you hear me read them.
Well that's all for now check back for the release date of the book I am naming Tebma 'His arms open'.
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