“What does the word ‘Friday’ mean Lucy?” “That the workweek is over I guess.” “Or that the ruckus week is just beginning.” “That too. You are it.”
Friday came just in time for me. I have pushed myself so hard since the 5th of July I need another weekend off. I hope you know that I’m kidding. I think I’ve been reading too many Twitter trending tweets.
I saw an article that stated in June, 100% of the COVID deaths in Maryland were among those who were not vaccinated. So I can imagine that would be some wake-up news for those who are still not there. But, of course, some are opposed to being vaccinated, and maybe the news won’t wake anything.
Our county has reached 70% of the population receiving one shot. Looking forward to the time where 70% of the population has had two shots. I have real fear for those not vaccinated as the new variants are beginning to take hold. Also, it will be interesting to see where the case count goes after the Fourth of July weekend. That will be in another week.
Today’s JohnKu talks about getting vaccinated and why not. I hope you all have a safe and restful weekend.
“Pretty nice for a Wednesday huh Little One?” “Yeah, I have to agree. Friday’s just another word for nothin’ left to lose.” “You and Janis?” “Soul sisters.”
It’s Wednesday Story Day time again, and last week we overheard as Cortez told Larry that he plans to take all the hostages with him and needs a second car. Cortez’s decision does work into the plan to get a delay. Unfortunately, having all the hostages around him will make the job of the sniper more difficult. Larry and Andrew are putting their heads together. I think we ought to get back, so we won’t miss any of the planning. Our boys have an hour to figure something out.
“Okay, Larry, you have a plan?”
“I think we should pull the car we came in into the drive. I could inadvertently forget to leave the keys too.”
“What would that do to help?”
“Cause a little confusion and give our sniper a chance for a shot.”
“Okay, that might work. We have to make sure that when the snipe hits Cortez, all the other hostages are protected.”
“I think the only way to do that is to get more a couple more snipers. Hey Mike.”
“Yes, Larry.”
“You guys have any more snipers?”
“One more that’s equipped.”
“Why don’t you get him in position. We are going to need some pretty rapid-firing once Cortez goes down. The idea is for those guys to take out any of Cortez’s thugs that are still covering a hostage.”
“I’ll call and arrange it. Good thinking.”
“So, Andrew.”
“Yes, Larry.”
“I still want to try and talk Cortez out of this madness.”
“I think if he gave himself up, we could save a lot of bloodshed.”
“I know, right?”
“I think I’m going to ask Cortez for a meeting.”
“You crazy? He’s not going to do that.”
“Remember how nice he was when we first met. I’ll bet this whole thing got sideways when his thugs showed up at his house. I’ll bet he would like an honorable way out of this mess.”
“Maybe it would work. Who the hell knows.”
“I’m calling him now. Hey Joachim. Yeah, I know time’s a-wastin’ We have the car. I’m going to put it in the driveway. Yes me. Also, I want to ask you a question. Yeah, thanks. How about if I come in there and you and I can have a chat. I really think there might be a better way out of this mess than you having to make a run to the airport and all. I’m serious. I’ll come in with no weapons, and you and I can talk. If nothing changes, then no harm, no foul. I just think I can help out, is all. Okay? Aw, I’m glad to hear that. I’ll be pulling a black sedan into the drive. I’ll get out with my hands in the air and approach the house. No tricks. Okay then. See you in a minute.”
“I can’t believe that.”
“I told you. I think he wants to make some kind of a deal.”
“Well, good luck. I hope you won’t regret it.”
“What’s to regret? A couple of guys having a conversation. I sure hope he has some water in there. I’m parched.”
“Hey, Larry.”
“Yeah, Mike.”
“The shooter is heading for a spot. They both have their orders. So you are really going in there.”
“I am.”
“See if you can get eyes on how many are in there and if the hostages are okay.”
“Will do, Mike. Your keys in the car?”
“No, I have them right here. Andrew, pass them to Larry, please.”
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 next Monday.”
“Let’s check coordinates. We have you at 225 West Delta sector.”
“Affirmative control. My DME is the same.”
“So, what’s the problem?”
“The visual on the target looks very much like a convent.”
“A convent?”
“Affermative.”
“Impossible.”
“Any unfriendly fire?”
“Negative. Also, no visible ground to air emplacements.”
“Intel says the place is thick with anti-aircraft installations.”
“That’s what I was told at the briefing.”
“Your call. Wolfman.”
“Roger that control. Wingman and I will make one more pass over the target, but I’m of a mind to return to base.”
“Roger Wolfman. Your discretion. Control standing by.”
“Coyote?”
“Yeah, Wolfman.”
“You see anything.”
“Negative.”
“We are going to do one more pass, and my guess is someone screwed up on the intel.”
“Right with you, Wolfman.”
“Let’s do a 180 on my mark. Three, two, one. Execute. Control, Wolfman.”
“Go, Wolfman.”
“Wingman and I are turning a 180 to observe. We’ll report what we see.”
“Roger that, Wolfman. Control standing by.”
“Roger Cont—”
“You broke up there, Wolfman. . . Wolfman? Control over. Wolfman? Coyote. Do you read? Wolfman, Coyote, Wolfman, do you read. Control calling. Please come in.”
This post was originally run on July 6th, 2015. Since several reunions are going on this summer, I thought you would enjoy it again.
Top Ten Things Not to do at a School Reunion
10 If you attend a school reunion, do not pose for photos that you don’t know where they will be published. If you do at best, the photos will only be traded among classmates. At worst, they will end up on the “what the not to wear, eat, or drink” website. (Which will go viral, and you’ll be getting calls from the Today show to appear on their segment called EXCESS)
9 If you attend a school reunion, do not pretend to be what you are not. If you do, at best, your little fib will be seen as a joke. At worst, your profile on the class newsletter will be featured under the title Most Successful Grad. (Which will be picked up by the news services and published by your hometown newspaper. It does make your job cooking fast food burgers seem more important, though.)
8 If you attend a school reunion, do not bring a date that you do not know simply because they are beautiful. If you do, at best, your charade will be found out early with no consequences. At worst, your date will discover the true reason you brought them and make an exit and a scene remembered for the next five reunions. (Only you passing away will halt the storytelling)
7 If you attend a school reunion, do not rent an expensive car for your grand entrance. If you do, at best, you will look overly anxious to impress and get the opposite reaction. At worst, the valet will take your rental car for a spin and inadvertently leave the side chrome on the street, fleeing a hit-and-run accident. (Which you will easily be able to explain to the judge)
6 If you attend a school reunion, do not try to hide the fact that you don’t remember everyone’s name. If you do, at best, you will look like a fool trying to check name tags without being caught. At worst, you will call someone by a different name, and the name will be associated by that person to an old flame or rival. (You will have a bunch of points on that one)
5 If you attend a school reunion, do not take this time to argue fine points about your grades with your old teachers. If you do, at best, the teachers will wish they had flunked you. At worst, one of them may remember you failed to turn in that assignment in the eleventh grade that will require you to repeat the course and nullify your high school diploma. (Try explaining that to your boss)
4 If you attend a school reunion, do not think your old flame wants to begin where you left off just by smiling at you. If you do, at best, you will be embarrassed to learn they are happily married. At worst, you will be a little too forward thinking all is forgiven. The icing on the cake will be you arrested as you leave the building for assault. ( Gotta remember no means no)
3 If you attend a school reunion, do not assume the free drinks at the bar carry no consequences. If you do, at best, you may exhibit a little tipsiness that everyone will think is cute. At worst, you will have the honor and resulting infamy of passing out on top of the Congratulations Class cake. (The clothes you’re wearing belong to your roommate as well.)
2 If you go to a school reunion, do not offer to be part of the planning committee for the next one. If you do, at best everyone will forget your offer. At worst, you will be appointed chairperson with all the rights and responsibilities to make the next one the best ever. (You will also want to get a Xanax prescription)
1 If you go to a school reunion, do not tell everyone you meet that “we must get together.” If you do at best, they will all wonder if you are having a breakdown. At worst, the ones you least want to see will stay in touch long enough to cop a free overnight on their way through your town. (Plus, they have some kind of foot infection that requires you to burn your sheets when they leave)
Here is the schedule of events for the Fourth. Today we will be going to the parade. Since the City of Lakeway is buying hot dogs, chips, and drinks, we won’t need to cater for this event. Also, there are a few bands in the parade, so we won’t need outside entertainment. The parade is going right by us too, so we won’t even need the bus. How easy is that? One disclaimer. There were so many entrants in the parade I had to make judgment calls on who to include. I hope you enjoy it, and Happy Birthday to The United States of America.
The first responders presented the colors.
Reserve military band
World War Two Veteran recognition. A replica of the monument in the Freedom Park
Cheerleaders
The bookmobile.
Rolls Royce
Native American recognition.
The drumline.
Lake Travis Mountain Bike Team.
The cub scout float.
A flyover by some local pilots and being joined by a jealous bird.
I can’t even tell you why dinosaurs were in the parade.
Here are the hot dogs getting grilled.
Here is where we can sit down to eat the hot dogs. So make yourself comfortable, and I hope you have a fun holiday.
I had just finished my coffee and was looking at an enormous weed that had grown overnight on the lawn. All of a sudden, a little shadow was starting to spread around the weed. Looking up, I could see a still small square getting larger by the second. My brain finally clicked and realized it was an object descending from on high toward the Earth. Taking a glance around, I could see the shadow growing exponentially in four directions with me at the center. I willed my feet to move just as the large ACME fireworks box embedded itself into the ground. When the dust and scraps of lawn settled, I realized that I could have been squashed by the substantial box. The good part was I realized the weed could not have survived the landing.
Gently I removed the cover, and among the rockets and pouches of explosives, I found this:
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “contains ‘igh.’” Find a word that contains the letters “igh” in that order and use it in your post. Enjoy!
“Should we be laying in the road on Friday?” “Huh? Road?” “Yeah look at the stripes down the center.” “Light from the windows.” “Oh. Thank heavens.”
Before we begin I just want you to know I have a story published on Vocal Media. It is titled The Last Hum – Before the end. If you visit and like the story you can hit “like.” Here is the link https://vocal.media/fiction/the-last-hum
Yes, it is Friday again. Always nice to see it. I think everyone is looking forward to the Fourth of July holiday. Makes for a nice long weekend.
The City of Lakeway has reinstated the Fourth of July parade, so I’ll be there. It is being held on Saturday, so I will bring it to you on Views of the Neighborhood on Sunday. I always enjoy a Fourth of July parade. So I hope you will stop by.
Today’s JohnKu talks about our Country’s birthday. I hope you all enjoy the weekend.
“This is a pretty nice day for a Wednesday.” “It is Little One. Maybe you can enjoy it.” “Still not Friday.” “Sheesh.”
It is Wednesday Story Day, and last week, we heard Cortez say he would throw out a body an hour until his safe passage to the airport demand is met. He gave our team an hour before the first body. That at least gave Larry and company some time to figure out a move. I think they are planning something so let’s get over there and see what is going on.
“Okay, Andrew, I think I’ve got it.”
“Let’s hope so cause this situation is getting direr by the moment.”
“Hear me out. How about we say to Cortez that it will take some time to get a vehicle that can accommodate all the hostages. Maybe we make a suggestion that if he let most go, we could get a car here faster.”
“I think that is worth a try. I would also ask for more time.”
“Good idea, Mike. How about you, Andrew. Any suggestions?”
“That sounds okay. Do we know how many he has in there?”
“Not really.”
“I think he is just going to say he’ll take the Escalade.”
“We know there were only five in the Escalade when they left the Highway Patrol headquarters. So, if Cortez is extra, then there is Carolyn as well. So that makes seven. Pretty tight for that model.”
“Why don’t you ask Cortez if he needs another car.”
“Brilliant, Andrew. Then if he says, yes, we can stall a little.”
“He could also agree to release some of the hostages and then take the Escalade. What is the next step assuming he releases some of the hostages.?”
“I guess we follow him to the airport and have a sniper in position to take him out.”
“I don’t know. I don’t see Cortez showing himself at the airport. He probably has a jet there and will go directly into the hanger. I don’t think the airport is the place.”
“Where is the place?”
“If we encourage him to take the Escalade, he will have to show himself when he goes to get in since It is sitting in the drive.”
“I don’t see a spot for a sniper around here, though.”
“Why don’t you call the SWAT team and find out if there is a sniper here and if he can spot a good place.”
“Let me do that.”
“Ok, Mike, you make the call. So, Andrew, it sounds like the excuse about the car won’t work.”
“I would just tell him you will arrange safe passage if he lets most of the hostages go. You can ask him if he needs a car. That might sound like you are actually making a plan.”
“You always keep things simple, Andrew.”
“Hey, Larry.”
“Yes, mike.”
“We do, in fact, have a sniper. He thinks he can access the roof on the house across the street for a clear shot of the Escalade. He’s heading there now. It’s going to take a few minutes since he will have to check to make sure he doesn’t spook the homeowner.”
“A man in black with a big gun? Why would a homeowner get spooked? We still have 15 minutes, so while he’s getting in a position, I’m going to call Cortez.”
“Yeah, Great.”
“It’s ringing. Hey, Joachim how’s it going? Okay, okay. I’m trying to arrange a passage for you. I have a question. Are you going to need a second car? Oh, I see. Okay, well, how about you release most of the hostages. That way you won’t need a second car. It’s just an idea, Joachim. No need to get upset. It is going to take a while to get a car here. Okay, I’ll check back.”
“That didn’t sound good.”
“He’s a little jumpy. He gave us another hour to get a car here. It looks like he intends to take the whole crew with him.”
“That is going to make the rescue even more difficult given he has those other two thugs as well.”
“Yeah, I know. We need to figure this out. This is why we make the big bucks.
