Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Ask Someone Else = Storage”

Stream of Consciousness

 

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday and this weeks prompt is “Ask Someone Else.” Linda Hill says we should ask someone else for a prompt word. I did, and the word came back. It is “storage.” If you would like to run around and chase perfect strangers all the while begging for a prompt word, visit Linda’s blog and find out how you can uplift yourself to this level of social interaction. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2018/12/28/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-29-18/

Storage by John W. Howell © 2018

“Where have you been?”

“It is a pretty complicated story.”

“Okay, I have the time. What is this all about?”

“You know I participate in a prompt every Saturday right?”

“I’m all too aware.”

“Well, this week the leader directed that we ask someone else for the prompt word.”

“Yeah, so what’s the problem? Ask away.”

“You are pretty critical of this program, so I decided to ask a stranger.”

“I just think you go overboard sometimes. How did asking a stranger work out for you?”

“I asked several.”

“You couldn’t be satisfied with just one answer?”

“I didn’t get an answer.”

“Why not?”

“When I asked for a word the first guy thought I needed money and gave me a fiver.”

“That is a good thing.”

“The next person thought I was hungry and gave me their sandwich.”

“Still not too bad.”

“The third person thought I was being fresh and slapped my face.”

“Now it is starting to go downhill which I suspect is where this thing is headed.”

“The fourth person thought I was demanding their wallet and hit me in the face.”

“So we are slowly headed to the bottom of a giant mess. Go on.”

“The fifth person was a cop.”

“This is where it will end I’m sure.”

“I asked him for a prompt word, and he said ‘storage.”‘

“Okay, so you got your word. This still doesn’t let me know where you have been.”

“I found out what he meant by ‘storage.”‘

“Don’t tell me.”

“A euphemism for jail. Lucky for me the charges were dropped after I explained what I was doing to the judge.”

“You were lucky.”

“Not really luck.”

“How so?”

“The judge does the same prompt. he asked me for a word.”

“Let me guess the word you gave him.”

“You won’t get it ever.”

“Freedom.”

“How did you know?”

“Just lucky I guess.”

 

 

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Creative Kue # 201 by Keith Channing

In Keith’s words. “Using this photo (Below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries, with links to your own blog or web site, next Monday.”

The photo

Kreative Kue #201

The Wait by John W. Howell © 2018

“What the heck is he doing?”

“Let me adjust my scope. Ah yes. He is eating.”

“Eating? What is he eating?”

“Looks like sunflower seeds.”

“God in heaven.  I hope he doesn’t plan to sit there and eat a bag of sunflower seeds.”

“I think that is exactly what he is going to do.”

“You don’t think he is connected to Mendoza do you?”

“I think that is some schlub who is on holiday. His license plate is from the Avignon area.”

“He could be a mule you know.”

“I don’t think so. What mule have you ever seen in a van munching sunflower seeds?”

“There is always a first time.”

“Man I hope this guy moves on.”

“Yeah, I hear you.”

“He’s got about fifteen minutes until Mendoza shows up then all hell will break loose.”

“You think Mendoza would take him out?”

“In a heartbeat.”

“Anyway to warn him?”

“I don’t think we can get down there and then back up here in time. I think he’ll just have to take his chances.”

“He’s alone right?”

“Looks that way.”

“Well, I guess all we can do is pray.”

“Maybe I can take out Mendoza before he has a chance to hurt that old man.”

“Sounds like a long shot but then that’s what you are good at doing.”

“What a nice thing to say. Thanks.”

“Well, it’s true.”

“Still nice to hear. Oh, wait. The old guy is getting into his van.”

“Come on old man. Start it up and get the hell out of here.”

“He going.”

“Thank heavens.”

*

“Mendoza, you hear me?”

“Yeah old man I do.”

“I was at the rendezvous and no sign of the feds.”

“Excellent. You stay a while.”

“I did. Even had some sunflower seeds.”

“You look pitiful?”

“The most pitiful. If there had been anyone waiting for you, they would have come to warn me. I think the area is safe.”

“Thanks, old man. When I get back, I’ll be sure to reward you handsomely.”

“No need my boy. Your safety is reward enough. After all, you are my number one son. See you later.

 

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Hairy”

Stream of Consciousness

 

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday and this week’s prompt is “hairy.” Linda Hill says we can use hairy any way we want and there are bonus points if we use it in more than one meaning. I’m all over the bonus points so that will be my objective. If you jump to bait easily, you might want to join this group. Visit Linda’s blog to read how. Here is the link

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Dec. 15/18

Hairy by John W. Howell © 2018

“She asks me why
I’m just a hairy guy
I’m hairy noon and night—”

“Another song. What is it this time.”

“One of my favorites. Hair from the Broadway show. They are doing their fifty-year tour.”

“Fifty years? The show was on Broadway before you were born.”

“Yeah, but it doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate it.”

“What brought a fifty-year-old play to mind anyway?”

“I was looking up the Hairy Man Festival in Round Rock Texas and just wondered how many other things had hair involved in them.”

“Hairy Man Festival? What is that?”

“Back in the 1880’s, there was an old hermit who used to try to scare people off by jumping at them. He was covered with hair and became known as the Austin Big Foot. Every year those folks in Round Rock hold a festival in his memory.”

“Nothing much to do around there I’m guessing. What else did you find?”

“The Hairy Who.”

“Okay, I’ll bite.”

“A group of Six Chicago artists who got together to co-create works that spoke of the culture of the Sixties.”

“Interesting. Anything else?”

“The Hairy Frog of Central Africa. Called the Horror Frog.”

“Lovely I’m sure.”

“Has claws.”

“To be avoided I’ll bet. Okay, I’ve heard enough.”

“Wait there’s the hairy woodpecker, spider, and tongue.”

“I can’t hear you. La la la.”

“Hairy ears.”

“I’m going to give you a hairy eyeball if you don’t quit.”

“Okay, that’s it.”

“Fine. How about lunch.”

“Yeah. Let’s go to Harry’s diner.”

 

 

 

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue # 200 by Keith Channing

In Keith’s words. “Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm on Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries, with links to your own blog or web site, on Monday.”

The photo.

kreative kue # 200

The Mistake by John W. Howell

“So who do you have on your list?”

“Looks like an old man named Tasker.”

“Anyone else?”

“Nope. He’s the last one today.”

“Man, Thank the Creator. I’m totally worn out.”

“Me too. We have been at it for thirty days straight without a break.”

“Well, that’s how the collection business goes sometimes. Too bad those other guys got to have a vacation this week. It has made it especially tough on you and me.”

“I’ll second that. What’s say we do this one and then stop for a couple of drinks?”

“You are talking my language. Okay, we are over the guy right now.”

“You being the bombardier, just give me the word and I’ll cut loose.”

“Steady.  The guy is out in a field. Another three feet. Steady. Okay, now. Hit the beam.”

“Beam’s away. The guy should be here any second.”

“I hear him in the transport receptacle. Man, he is a noisy one.”

“Let me check it out on the observation screen. Uh-oh-oh.”

“What do you mean, ‘oh-oh?”‘

“If that is the old man Tasker he sure doesn’t look his age.”

“Let me look I have the facial recognition tool. Lucifer H. Beelzebub. We collected the right guy at the wrong time.”

“What do we do now?”

“I don’t know. I never had this problem before.”

“Are we in trouble?”

“For collecting someone who according to my tablet is not due for another seventy Earth years? You tell me.”

“Crap. We need to do something quick. Can’t we dump him?”

“No once collected, always collected.”

“We’ll just have to beg forgiveness.”

“Beg who, Tasker?”

“Naw. He knows nothing. We’ll have to beg the Creator.”

“No way. The last time I was meeting with the Creator I almost pooped my robes.”

“You don’t poop.”

“That’s what I wanted to do. I said almost. Besides you were the guy responsible for aiming. How did this happen?”

“I had my tablet open to the wrong year. Ever since that last download, this stupid thing reverts to a different year when you are sure you have set it right.”

“You better report that to IT. It may be the only way to save our butts.”

“Good plan. I feel better already.”

“What about Tasker? I wonder how he feels?”

“To be in heaven? I’m sure we can sell the advantages. Maybe we can tell him he was lucky we snatched him while he was in grace. Prevented a trip to the other place.”

“You well know he was in grace right up to the last minute or he would not have been on our list.”

“He doesn’t.”

“You want to lie to him?”

“You know, I think I have Post Collection Stress Disorder. I gotta ask for some time off.”

“Good luck with that. We will be lucky to see a vacation day in the next hundred Earth years.”

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Musical”

 

Stream of Consciousness

It is Stream of Consciousness time again and this week’s prompt is “musical.” Linda Hill advises that we can use it any way we want. I love this kind of empowerment. If you would like to be too big for your shoes visit Linda’s blog and read how to join this band of hyperactive keyboard abusers.  Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2018/12/07/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-8-18/

Musical by John W. Howell © 2018

“What is that tune you are humming?”

“Tune?”

“Yes. You’ve been humming it all morning.”

“I have not.”

“Okay, then I need to go to the ear specialist to check for tinnitus.”

“What does it sound like?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Sometimes like the song from the Sound of Music musical.”

“Which one?”

“The Hills are alive with the sound of music, one.”

“I like that song. If I put my ear to yours do you think I could hear it too?”

“Get away from me. Other times it sounds like something classical.”

“Can you name it?”

“Night on Bald Mountain by Mussorgsky.”

“I’m not familiar. Can you hum it?”

“You have got to be kidding me. It is a full orchestration.”

“Anything else?”

“Maybe the Air That I Breathe by the Hollies.”

“Oh, I know that one. All I need is the air that I breathe and to love you.”

“You’re a little flat.”

“Finally Queen’s greatest hits.”

“You are kidding. The entire album? This sound like you are having some kind of musical breakdown.”

“I don’t think so. Lots of people have tinnitus.”

“Wait. What is that thing in your ear?”

“What thing?”

“That white thing.”

“Oh my gosh. It is my AirPod. I forgot it was there.”

“What about the tinnitus?”

“Without the AirPod it’s gone.”

“Yet more evidence that you are an idiot.”

“Anyone can forget an AirPod.”

“Anyone with the intelligence of a grape.”

“I think I was happier with tinnitus.”

“At least you had great music.”

“And I was never alone.”

“Spoken like someone who needs an intervention.”

 

 

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Creative Kue #199 by Keith Channing

In Keith’s words now that he is back. “Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm on Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries, with links to your own blog or web site, on Monday.”

The photo.

Kreative Kue # 199

The Square by John W. Howell © 2018

“Okay this is part 24B so why doesn’t it fit in slot 24?”

“You sure you read the instructions right?”

“I did. The next step is to fit part 24B into slot 24.”

“Why is the part so short then? Slot 24 is a foot bigger.”

“Yeah, that has me puzzled as well.”

“I have never seen such a confused mess in my whole life.”

“What do you mean ‘confused mess?'”

“Just look at this thing. Half the parts are not the right size, and it seems some are missing.”

“I checked all the parts before I began and they were all here.”

“Then why do you seem to have run out of material?”

“If I knew that I would have this conundrum solved. I called you for help not for stating the obvious.”

“Okay. I get it. Let me look at the plan.”

“It’s over there under the coffee cups.”

“Let me see. I just love these Ikea directions. I have a mechanical engineering degree and feel underqualified.”

“So what do you think?”

“For starters did you look at the picture?”

“No. Can’t say I did.”

“If you had you would realize this is supposed to be a square.”

“A square? I didn’t buy a square. I bought a rectangle. The foundation is for a rectangle.”

“You better look at your order then. You have a square. Did you get this at the Ikea store?”

“No, I ordered it online.”

“I think you better return it. You will never have enough material to finish a rectangle.”

“Look at my order. It clearly says the measurements are a rectangle.”

“All the better. It is their fault then. Wait what is this message in red?”

“Please check your order carefully before you begin assembly. No refunds or returns once assembly has begun.”

“Looks like you are screwed.”

“What if I order another square?”

“Humm let me see.  If I measure the sides and multiply by two. Yes, that will work.”

“I’m going to do it right now.”

“Just your luck you will get a rectangle.”

“That will work too.”

“Just think of the money you saved by ordering online.”

“Dark sarcasm in the classroom.”

“Yeah, sorry.”

 

 

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Ma.”

Stream of Consciousness

 

Mama just killed a man. Put my gun against his head pulled the trigger now he’s dead. Well, it is Stream of Consciousness Saturday and this weeks prompt is “ma.” Linda Hill says we can use “ma” or any word containing “ma.” Also, there are bonus points for starting the post with “ma.” Now you see why I did a riff on Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen.

If you would like to slowly lose your grip on reality, visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is to do. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2018/11/30/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-1-18/

Ma by John W. Howell © 2108

“You would not believe the dream I had last night. It was a real nightmare.”

“You know dreams are only imaginary?”

“I know that, and I don’t normally pay attention to them.”

“Was this one that dramatic that it has you upset?”

“How’s this sound. David Letterman is the chairman of our company.”

“Well, that doesn’t sound so bad. In real life that would be immaterial.”

“Yes, but I had to give a presentation to him on filmmaking. I don’t know squat about the subject.”

“So what did you do? Make up some facts?”

“I walked in and he was sitting behind this giant desk with a margarita in his hand.”

“Okay, this sounds like it is getting funny. I imagine he was pretty friendly.”

“Quite the opposite. He called my presentation the benchmark of mediocrity.”

“Oh, that’s harsh. Maybe he was drunk.”

“The whole thing ended up with him demanding my resignation.”

“What did you do with that malicious request?”

“I took it as a mandate to find another job.”

“So did you find another job and leave that dismal place?”

“I’ve been busy this morning. I need to go to Monster Dot Com on my MAC.”

“You sure you’re not being premature. After all, it was a dream. What were you doing all morning?”

“Working on my resume. Oh yes. I sent my marvelous letter of resignation.”

“You gotta be kidding me. Because of a dream, you formally resigned?”

“You had to have been there. Besides, I hate filmmaking and I think to try to succeed would be too much drama.”

“Your company makes computers. You work for a manufacturer not a filmmaker.”

“I think I have post-traumatic dream disorder. I’ll write to the boss and tell him it was a big mistake.”

“Good luck with that. Use your personal magnetism.”

” I wish I hadn’t opened the letter with ‘Dear Demanding Asshole.'”

“Yeah, that might take a little touch of diplomacy to fix.”

 

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt

 

As you may know, Keith Channing has taken the month of November to craft another Na-No-Wri-Mo 50,000 word novel. So again today I am promptless. GP Cox came up with a solution. He more or less said, “Why don’t you point a finger at a spot in a book and use that as a prompt.” He recalled a prompt on a Steam of Conscious Saturday where Linda Hill proscribed just that prompt method.

So thank you, GP Cox. Here it goes. I am opening Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez to page 135. Today’s prompt is the sentence, “She was furious for three reasons:” Here goes nothing.

Furious By John W. Howell © 2018

“I see you stomping your foot. What’s the matter?”

“You wouldn’t understand. It is one of those shopping things from which you seem to be immune.”

“Come on. I know it wasn’t me who made you angry, so let me help.”

“Do you know anything about dresses?”

“Um. I know when you look good in them.”

“Typical comment from the totally oblivious.”

“Okay you are mad, I get that. I guess I’ll just leave you to your mood.”

“Wait. I’m sorry. You are right. You didn’t have anything to do with the situation so I shouldn’t take it out on you.”

“Tell me what happened. Maybe it will make you feel better.”

“You should know that I’m furious for three reasons.”

“That is a beginning. What is reason one?”

“I ordered a new dress for the holiday party online for pickup.”

“Doesn’t sound too bad.”

“That is not a reason. I was giving you context. Here is reason one. I drove to the store and had to wait forty-five minutes until they found the dress.”

“That seems like a long time.”

“Duh. It was supposed to be in pick up.”

“Reason two.”

“I ordered a petite size, and the dress they gave me was a medium.”

“Uh oh. I’ve been in that bear trap myself.”

“Yeah until I banished you from clothes shopping.”

“How about reason three?”

“There were no petite sizes in the dress I wanted. It was on sale and a bargain.”

“When you ordered it did they say the size was in stock.”

“Of course they did, or I wouldn’t have been able to order it.”

“Did you speak to a manager?”

“I did.”

“What happened?”

“I got a refund.”

“Well, it all turned out then.”

“Except I lost out on a bargain, I wasted gas on the round trip, and I had to spend more money on another dress.”

“More money? How much more?”

“Two hundred dollars.”

“Well, do you like the dress?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Well seems like all is well that ends well.”

The other dress went with my shoes. I had to get new to go with this dress.”

“Shoes?”

“One Seventy-five.”

“Let’s sue.”

 

 

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Digest.

Stream of Consciousness

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this weeks prompt is “digest.” Linda Hill says we can use it any way we want. If you would like to join this band of happy souls, go to Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2018/11/23/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-nov-24-18/

Digest by John W. Howell © 2018

“Wow am I full.”

“Not surprising since you ate enough to feed a family of five.”

“Let me digest for a minute before hauling out the lecture material.”

“I just don’t understand how you can put away that much food.”

“Easy. Open mouth, insert food.”

“You know very well what I mean.”

“Okay, the lecture is about to begin. Give me the Reader’s Digest version if you don’t mind.”

“I’m just glad we didn’t have any guests to witness this scene.”

“Alright, that is about all I can handle. This is Thanksgiving. You’re supposed to eat a lot.”

“By a lot are you talking about four servings?”

“Well, if that’s what it takes to be thankful.”

“What about the children?”

“What about them?”

“Do you think you set a good example.”

“I don’t think they even noticed. Look at them playing over there.”

“You going to help me clean up?”

“What’s to clean up?”

“You know how these carcasses attract hyenas. I hate those things. They are always laughing and at who knows what. Gives me the creeps.”

“Darling you know I’m king of the jungle, and no damn hyena’s going to mess with me. Just so you can rest easy, I’ll drag these Zebra leftovers into the underbrush. Might be good for a snack later.”

“How can you even think of a snack.”

“Don’t you have a gazelle to chase down or something.”

“You watch the cubs. I’ll be back in a flash.”

“Take your time. I’ve got a wildebeest game to watch.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt

Finger point prompt

 

As you may know, Keith Channing has taken the month of November to craft another Na-No-Wri-Mo 50,000 word novel. So again today I am promptless. GP Cox came up with a solution. He more or less said, “Why don’t you point a finger at a spot in a book and use that as a prompt.” He recalled a prompt on a Steam of Conscious Saturday where Linda Hill proscribed just that prompt method.

So thank you, GP Cox. Here it goes. I am opening The Investigators by W.E.B. Griffin to page 187. I point my finger and land on the sentence, “Will somebody be coming back?”

Coming Back by John W. Howell © 2018

“This is for your own good.”

“Yeah, where have I heard that before?”

“I’m serious. The government has spent a lot of money customizing your punishment.”

“All I did was borrow a few funds. I was going to pay them back.”

“Unfortunately you didn’t quite get around to that part did you?”

“Well, if I hadn’t been arrested I could have earned enough to pay everyone.”

“Earned you say? Don’t you mean to steal from others to pay the oldest debts?”

“Aw come on. That’s a Ponzi scheme, and I had nothing to do with that kind of scam.”

“No, your scam was much purer. You just took people’s money with no intention of paying them.”

“So what do you care. You are just a jailer is all.”

“I think you missed the point that the judge was trying to make.”

“I guess so. Just what point was that?”

“The judge felt you needed some time alone to contemplate the seriousness of your crimes.”

“Ha. So he made you my conscience?”

“I think your conscience is your own.”

“What do you mean?”

“How long have you been separated from human contact?”

“You must be crazy. We just got to this God-forsaken island. We just crossed that body of water.”

“Just? Think about it?”

“Aw, none of your holier than thou mind games now. We just got here.”

“Do you have a calendar?”

“Yeah, that was part of my supply kit issued back at the prison.”

“Look at it.”

“Why? It’s blank.”

“You sure?”

“Alright to make you happy I’ll look. Wait, what year is it?”

“2156.”

“That’s what this calendar says. It’s wrong. We got here today and the year is 2119.”

“Look at the days you marked off.”

“There are thousands.”

“Yes, there are. It is time for me to go.”

“No, don’t go.”

“I must. You now are aware. You must make peace with your destiny.”

“Will somebody be coming back? Hey, wait. Hello. You still here?”