Sitting somewhere, the new beginning

The Sun was kissing my cheeks as I sat there enjoying my pretzel and cheese. I sat there in the warmth and serenity of it all. Watching the cars drive up the hill and then by.

I watched the teenagers in little groups, leave the restaurant down below and then enter the school bus. One of the teenage girls yelled out the window, "she likes you!!" I grinned at the flattery, even though she was probably doing it just to embarrass her friend.

I sat there eating my pretzel, wearing my deadpool t-shirt and wearing my cool shades. I sat there, watching the world around me. Looking at the beautiful blue sky, the leafless trees, the people and teenagers coming and going into and out of the restaurant below. I watched the cars drive by and even waved at a few.

Sitting there I pictured the scene in Deadpool where he is sitting on the side of the bridge freeway. Him sitting there doodling, me sitting eating my pretzel. I had to wonder for a moment what the people thought as they saw me sitting there. In the oddest of places, in the grass on the side of the hill, looking as cool as could be without a care in the world.

Obviously the teenage girls thought I was pretty cool. Or perhaps just felt sorry for me, watching me eat my pretzel all alone on the side of a hill. Yea... that's it I'm sure! But I indulged in the flattery a bit longer.

I guess I should have had some thoughts as I sat there, enjoying my pretzel and cheese. With a tasty strawberry lemonade beverage to wash it all down. Save the Deadpool reflection, I had none. Just the sky, the hill, the grass, the cars, the teenagers, and me. Ohh, and the tasty pretzel! To which I was horking down like a lion devouring a young gazelle. Yup, just me and a pretzel, sitting, enjoying.

Simply me

I'm still alive!!

I haven't given up or forgotten about this blog or what I plan to accomplish. It may take a little longer then the original year long intention. But that is ok!

This is meant to enhance my writing and further my creative juices, not hinder or complicate them. I do have a life beyond my blogs and beyond my writing. So, it's all done as a pastime. And it should be enjoyable at all times. It should delight and inspire me, to want to write and inspire you.

I have a regular Monday thru Friday job, just like most everybody else. And that job is about as far away as one can get from paragraphs and poetic rhymes. I'm a maintenance technician, which sounds a lot fancier than it is I assure you. I fix things for a living, appliances, electrical, plumbing... that sort of stuff. I work with my hands, but you would never guess by the feel of my oddly soft hands.

I'm a Jack of trades, and with that a master of none. But I do enjoy the variety of it, I enjoy taking things apart and seeing their inner workings. However, do I want to do it for the rest of my days? No, I just happen to be good at it. And I like the idea of one day being a writer that can fix things. I like surprising people with the unexpected.

So I do intend to finish what I started. I'm just taking a momentary break as I try to find the balance. The balance between life, work, writing and a new hobby, photography. Not sure where life is taking me, but I'm starting to find the groove. And I'm beginning to make it mine.

Bare with me just a tad longer if you have followed along thus far. Balance in all things, finding my balance and I may stumble a bit.

So... check back soon! Ciao!!

Writing prompt #10

"An alien has just abducted you. Give three reasons why it would send you back to earth."

I've been waiting to write on this one. I have a sister who if she doesn't hear from me for awhile. Automatically assumes aliens have abducted me and to please let me send her a text between my probings.

Honestly though, I think if a real abduction ever did occur. I would crap myself, yes... you read correctly I would have Hershey squirts in my pants. (Stand by me reference, a favorite movie of mine.) I think anybody that says they would do otherwise has either not truly thought about it or is just lying. YOUR BEING ABDUCTED BY BEINGS FROM A WHOLE OTHER PLANET!! Crapping yourself is probably the bare minimum of how you would react.

Three reasons why to send me back... I could just given one! Among the human race of all the billions of minds on the planet. I'm a moron!! So... the likely hood of the alien or aliens learning anything by probing me is highly unlikely.

Let's see, I don't know anybody of any real importance to society. I mean to me their priceless but to the majority of the world. Their just another human living their life. I don't own anything of actual importance either. Incase wealth of some kind is the driving force of my abductors.

I think the most important reason. My sister! One she would miss me, two she would annoy them with questions of how many times they probed me that week. And third... she'd probably kick their ass if they didn't eventually return me. Of course, this is after she stops laughing, and then for the rest of my days I will have to put up with probing jokes...

Writing prompt #9

"What one rule from your childhood do you not agree with now that you're an adult?"

I can't say I have one. I believe children should have rules. Life has rules, society has rules, jobs have rules. We are governed by rules. We may not always agree with the rules but they're there to keep us safe. To keep us from harming ourselves or others. To keep us in check so we don't just run rampant like a herd of buffalo trampling anything in our path.

Of course all rules are more like guidelines. We can choose not to follow them. Sometimes bend them with little or no consequence. It's when we flat out don't follow them that has consequences. Say if you decide to climb mount Everest and you haven't prepared for it. "Life's rule - you should always be prepared for whatever adventure you undertake." And no I don't mean fully prepared, like you can account for all things. No, nobody can do that. I mean like you're mentally prepared, you've packed the right equipment, you have experience in mountain climbing, etc... Life, nature, the elements are all wild and untamed. So... sure you can decide to not follow life's rule and head up the mountain with whatever. But the consequence is... you could die!
When the park ranger tells you not to feed the animals and you decide... To hell with the park ranger and feed the wild animals. Consequence... again... you could die!

You see, rules are there for a reason. So the petty rules We all have as children are there to prepare us for just the basic survival necessities of well... life!
I didn't mind going to bed early as a child, sure sometimes I would stay up a little longer reading comic books or whatever. And that was no big deal. But there were times I would stay up A LOT later then I was supposed to. Annndd I would pay for it the next morning by being tired.

So, No! I don't have a childhood rule that I don't agree with now. They helped to make me the well rounded person I am today. If your parents have a rule that you don't agree with I'm sure it's for a good reason. Even if at the time you don't understand what that is.

Writing prompt #8 (part 2)

"Trick or Treat!!"

Buzz lightyear, another fairy and a miniature Darth Vader were standing on the porch. With their arms stretched out and bags open. They eagerly awaited to see what tasty edible sugary delight the girl in front of them would drop into each of their bags. Emily reached for a bowl that had an assortment of chocolate bars and caramel popcorn balls on top. She put one of each in each of their bags.
"Cute costumes! Happy Halloween guys." Emily said as she closed the door. And headed back to the living room where the girls were already anticipating the rest of Emily's story.
"Lets see... where was I?" "Ah yes, Chrissie ran toward the living room..."

Chrissie's heart was racing as she got to the living room. Where she screamed again as she looked upon the bloodied massacre that was now her living room. The Fire Marshall's body was on the floor with an axe in his head. His wife and son were lying in pools of blood on the other side of the room. They looked like they tried to make a run for it. Chrissie shaking, walked over to the fireplace and grabbed the fire poker.
The house had gone so quiet, Chrissie could hear the loud pounding of her heart. Her mind was racing, her arms were shaking. She stood there breathing frantically.

"Next Up on our Halloween Marathon, "Zombies down under..." came from upstairs. Chrissie grabbed the poker tight as she walked toward the stairs. Someone had turned a television on. She made her way to the second floor. Heart still beating loud, "Thump-Thump! Thump-Thump!"
She slowly walked into her bedroom. Not even paying attention to what was on the television. She walked over and shut it off. The house was eerily quiet nice again.

"Dingggg Donggg!"

Chrissie jumped and ran for the stairs. She practically flew down the stairs. She didn't know who was at the front door. She didn't care, as long as it was a living person and away from this nightmare that had become her evening. Reaching the door, she gripped the poker tight just in case. Turning the handle she slowly opened the door...

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!" Yelled her husband and daughter and the rest of her guests she had thought were grisly murdered. Chrissie dropped the poker and collapsed.

"Honey, are you ok?" The Mayor asked sitting down holding his wife.
"Honey?"
"You suck! You know that!? You all got me good!" Chrissie said as she opened her eyes.
"I'm going to get you for this!" She exclaimed as she leaned up to kiss her husband.

"Yay!! That was a fantastic story Emily!" Said Abigail as the girls clapped.
"Oooh, can't wait to hear what you come up with next!" Said Brittney as she headed for the snack table.
"Thanks girls! So how about a scary movie now?"

Writing prompt #8 (part 1)

"Plan a "murder mystery" dinner party. Create the dinner menu and the guest list, and design the murder plot."

"Dingggg Donggg!" Signaled the guests were here.

Emily opened the front door to find a pink rabbit, cowgirl, a fairy and what looked like a goodfella in a wife beater.

"Trick or Treat!"

Emily laughed, "come in ladies, welcome to my terror party."
"Nice costume Samantha, what are you supposed to be?" Emily asked.
"I thought it would be funny since I'm pregnant and Italian, to be an overweight mobster." "Heyy! How YOU Do-in!?" Samantha blurted out.
"Ha-ha!" Chuckled the pink bunny.
Emily led her friends into the living room. Candles were lit on the mantle and other parts of the room. A sofa sat on either side of an oak coffee table that sat in the middle of the room. A Victorian Dollhouse  sat on top, opened so you could see the various rooms inside. Several lights lit up the inside rooms, a chandelier lit up a dinner table in the dining room.  Where eight tiny people were seated.

Against the wall was a table filled with chips, candy and various snacks. A punch bowl with frozen eyeballs floating around in some green liquid. Skeletons and spider webs with little plastic spiders dangled on the walls and a Jack-o-lantern sat on a little round table in front of the window.

Emily stood behind the doll house in her French maid costume. "Nice Dollhouse Emily" said Abigail sitting, trying not to squish her fairy wings.
"Thanks! It's my sisters, she's letting me borrow it for the night."
"Nice boots Cat, I almost bought a pair of those in pink" said Emily. "Speaking of pink..." the girls all look at the pink bunny already stuffing her face with chips and dip. "What's with bunny outfit Brittney? I thought you were going to be a witch?"
"I was... until my dog ate the costume." "Luckily my brother still had this hanging in his closet, so... here I am poofy tail and all! Deal with it!" Said Brittney stuffing more chips in her mouth.
"So Emily what spooky tale do you have for us tonight? And what's with the Dollhouse anyway?" Inquired Abigail.
"Well, tonight I have something special since its Halloween. A murder mystery that takes place in a mansion that looks just like this Dollhouse." Emily leans over the Dollhouse, "it's called The Tale of the Golden Monkey."

"Dingggg Donggg!"

"Honey, are you ready yet? The guests are here." Chrissie said putting her earrings on.
"Of course!" Said the Mayor walking up, "You look absolutely stunning my dear."

"Dingggg Don!"

Anthony opened the door. Standing there was the Sheriff, Fire Marshall, his wife and son.
"Please, come in." Anthony gestured. "May I take your coats?"
"Welcome everybody!" The Mayor shouted as he and his wife walked down the stairs.
"Happy Birthday Chrissie." Said the Marshall's wife giving Chrissie a hug. "You have a beautiful home."
"Thank you, and thank you." "Shall we head into the dining room?"

The dining room was already set up. White linens draped over the top of the cherry table. China dishes with cherry blossom tree patterns. Silverware polished and crystal glasses sat neatly beside the ornate dishes. A crystal chandelier hung over the center looked like a thousand diamonds sparkling in the Sun.
"Where is Isabella?" Asked the Mayor.
"Here I am father!" Walking in in short black shorts a purple webbed tube top and a pointed black hat.
"What do you have on?" Demanded the Mayor.
"Daddy, this is my witch costume! It is Halloween, Duh!"
Isabella sat with a smug look of contentment. The Mayor did not approve... But it was Halloween and the guests were already here. So he simply gave her a stern look.

"Dingggg Donggg!"

"Emily, this story doesn't sound scary at all!" Samantha blurted out. "Where's the killing and the screaming? Jason chasing them around with a chainsaw!"
The girls were in muffled agreement.
"Relax girls, I'm getting there!"
"So... the doorbell."

"Dingggg Donggg!"

Anthony opened the door to a sobbing woman.
"Miss are you alright?" Asked Anthony as he gestured the woman to come in.
Chrissie heard the woman crying and headed to the door. "Wendy what's wrong??" "Where is Frank?"
Sobbing still Wendy stifled out "He's been cheating on me-ee."
"Oh darlin, come here." Chrissie wrapped her arms around Wendy. "It'll be ok..."
"Haa-aappie Birr-rrthda-ayy" Wendy muffled.
"Awe darlin, you didn't have to come, when you're dealing with this mess." Said Chrissie as she comforted Wendy.
"Of course I did! You're my sister!" "And besides, you have the best alcohol in town! And it's free!" The ladies laughed as they headed into the dining room.
"Wendy, good evening happy you could join us." Said the Mayor.
"Anthony would you mind running down to the cellar and getting a few bottles of the Moet?" Asked the Mayor.
"Certainly sir!" Replied Anthony as he headed out of the room.
"Welcome everybody, as you know tonight is my lovely wife's birthday. And I have a special surprise for this evening. My wife enjoys searching for things, So... I've hidden a golden monkey somewhere in the house. And the person who finds it gets five hundred dollars!" Said the Mayor excitedly.
Chrissie's face lit up, her husband knew her all too well. The rest of the guests all clapped.
"As soon as Anthony returns, we shall have a toast and then I will release you to search the house." Said the Mayor.

"Oooh this is getting good!" Brittany said as she popped a handful of popcorn in her mouth.
"Goodness Brit! I thought I was the pregnant one." Said Samantha rubbing her belly.
"I eat when I'm nervous ok!?"
"Shhh you guys! Continue Emily." Gestured Abigail.

"It had been a half hour before anyone noticed Anthony had not returned..." Emily continued.

The guests were having various conversations.
"Honey? Anthony hasn't come back yet." Said Chrissie concerned.
"I'll go check on him." Said the Mayor.
Another half hour had passed and Chrissie was really concerned. There had been no sign of the butler or her husband.
"Will, my husband has not come back yet. And I'm worried, can you come with me, please."
"Of course Chrissie, lead the way."
"Wait! What is going on?" Asked the Fire Marshall.
"Anthony and my husband have been gone a long time." Replied Chrissie.
"Well why don't we all go and find out what has happened." Said the Marshall as he stood up.

Chrissie and the guests headed for the cellar. The wine cellar was the only part of the basement that had been refinished. The stairs going down were still creaky old wood. And their was an instance musty smell as they descended down the stairs. Their was however plenty of lighting to see the boxes stacked up against a wall. An additional wall was added for the cellar. And the smell of the cedar racks and the musty damp odor of the basement were mingling in the air.

"AAAAAHHHHHH!!" Chrissie screamed as she saw Anthony's body lying on the ground.
Will the sheriff immediately went over to check the body. A pool of blood was all around the motionless corpse.
"It looks like he has been stabbed." Said will as he inspected the body.
"I'm going to call this in, where is your phone Chrissie?"
"Upstairs in the kitchen." Replied Chrissie still shaken from seeing the body.
"I'll go with you!" Wendy said as she followed Will up the stairs.
"My husband is not down here! Where is my husband??" Chrissie asked as they looked around the basement.
But no other body was found. Chrissie and her guests headed back upstairs.

"AAAAAHHHHHH!!"

"AAAAAHHHHHH!" Screamed the pink bunny hiding her face behind a pillow.
"What the Hell Brit!" Remarked Samantha.
"You trying to make me go into labor early??"
"Sorry..." muffled Brittney from behind the pillow.

Chrissie had just reached the top of the stairs when she heard the scream and rushed toward the kitchen.
"OMG!!" Shrieked Chrissie as she entered the kitchen. Seeing her sister lying on the ground and Will holding his head still kneeling on the floor.
"What the Hell happened??" Asked the Marshall.
"I don't know..." said Will still holding the back of his head.
"I was trying to dial out, but the phone is dead. And I was checking to see if it was plugged in when Wendy came in."
"The light went out, I heard a thud! And turned around and someone hit me in the back of the head."
"It all happened so fast!"
"Is my sister ok??" Chrissie asked sobbing.
Will leaned over to check for a pulse.
"She doesn't have a pulse..."
"Seriously! What the Hell is going on?? Two dead bodies, your husband is missing!" Asked the angered Marshall.
"I don't know! But I have a phone upstairs in my room. Isabella come with me." Said Chrissie.
"I better go with you as well! Everybody else go to the living room and stay there till we get back!" Ordered Will as he followed Chrissie and Isabella toward the stairs.

They reached the top of the stairs.
"Isabella go check the phone in your bedroom."
"I'll go with her." Replied Will.
Chrissie went into her bedroom and the lights flickered. She picked up the phone that was sitting on the nightstand. It was dead, not even a dial tone.
She yelled, "Isabella! How is your phone?"
The whole house had gone quiet. Chrissie could feel her heart about to beat out of her chest.
"Isabella!?" Chrissie yelled nervously as she headed down the hall to her daughter's room.
"Isabella!!?"
"Will!!?"

"AAAAAHHHHHH!!" Chrissie screamed as she saw the bloodied bodies of Will and Isabella.
Screaming Chrissie ran down the stairs nearly stumbling and falling. She ran towards the living room...

"Dingggg Donggg!"

"AAAAAHHHHHH!!" Screamed the girls. Who had all huddled onto one couch.

"Dingggg Donggg!"

Emily headed toward the front  door. The girls jumped up to look out the window. Emily opened the door...

Writing prompt #7

"Create ten all-new funny scratch and sniff stickers. Describe the image and smell."

I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to come up with ten. Haven't they already come up with every scratch and sniff smell?

When I was a kid I had a sticker collection. I don't think I ever told anybody that. I kept getting stickers from all sorts of things and places. Only I could never decide where to put them. So I kept them all in a brown folder. I even had some scratch and sniffs. A few that I remember we're burnt rubber and buttered popcorn. As you can imagine the burnt rubber was a stinky one.

So... let's see, I bet I could do a few Star Wars ones. The fan in me can imagine standing on Tattoine or standing next to a Jedi when they power up their lightsaber.

#1 Lightsaber - of course the picture would be a lightsaber. I can imagine the smell being a mixture of a stove element heating up and something electrical burning.

#2 Snow - snowflake  picture. Its a mixture of an earthy smell and right before it rains.

#3 Friends apartment - a picture of a living room. This is a newer smell to me. But has become a good smell at least to me. Its a mixture of cigarette smoke and perfume. But not like a bar. This is a sweet smoky smell.

#4 The Harbor - picture of a Dock. This one is one of my favorite smells that I can actually smell! Ha! I love walking out on the pier and feeling the wind blow over me. The smell of salt and sea life and whatever else the wind has carried along.

#5 The beach - sand and the water and a setting Sun in the horizon. Probably another favorite of mine. A mixture of salty sea air, suntan lotion and sunkissed skin.

#6 The mountains - a picture of a mountain. Also a favorite. Standing on the side of the mountain, the wind blowing. And this smell of fresh snow, pine trees and probably the freshest air you will ever breathe.

#7 Grandma's kitchen - a picture of a sweet old lady. I remember growing up and walking into my grandma's house. It was always a mixture of old smell, my grandma's perfume and the sweet odor of cookies and breads and cinnamon rolls. The smell of fresh cookies brings an instant comfort to me still.

#8 Vegetable garden - a medley of vegetables. Have you ever stood in the middle of a fresh garden? A mixture of this earthy smell and green plant smell. I can't really describe it. But green plants have a smell, its this musty sharp smell with a hint of sweetness and bitterness.

#9 Thanksgiving - a picture of a Turkey and dressing. Mmm, I almost drool thinking of this one. That smell of Turkey cooking in the oven, butter, sweet potatoes and pumpkin.

#10 Christmas - a picture of a Christmas tree. Christmas is my favorite holiday. Especially when I was growing up and had white Christmases. There was always the smell of pine, apple cinnamon and snow melting. Still brings a smile to my face.

It became easier to do this one. Once I started thinking of my favorite things and places. I'm pretty sure a few of those have already been done. But I don't care haha! Any of these smells excluding the lightsaber, only because I've never actually smelled one. The rest though all bring smiles to me. And any smell that brings a smile to my face I would want out there in the world. Because surely it makes others smile as well.