“What are you waiting for Little One?” “Lucy was going to help me find Friday.” “I’m sure she’ll be right here.” “Of course at 100 degrees maybe we will wait for Friday to find us.”
It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, we witnessed the arrest of Lazar Popović and his gang for the possession of illegal drugs. Popovic and his cronies are to be transported by vans to the lockup. Larry, Andrew, and the lieutenant will start their interrogation there and left in separate cars. I see our heroes are back at the headquarters. Let’s go and join them.
“So, lieutenant, we have enough evidence.”
“It would appear that way.”
“You are going hold them and then contact the District attorney?”
“I want to find out where they are getting these drugs for distribution.”
“You think Lazar will tell you?”
“I strongly suspect our old friend Nikola Stanković has something to do with this whole thing.”
“I guess him putting the finger on Popović looks a little suspect.”
“I’m sure Popović would like to know how we just happened to stop into his distribution center.”
“There is no honor among thieves, so if you hint that Stanković ratted him out, he may turn on him as well.”
“I’m not sure how credible Popović would be as a witness, but I guess it wouldn’t hurt to probe him a little.”
“While at it, I wonder if you could ask some questions about a case we are working on.”
“Like what?”
“We are running down a cold case on a guy named Sandusky, and we know that Popović’s sister was married to him. We would like to know anything he knows about Sandusky or Janet and Alexis Rafferty. It would be nice to know if he has heard of Ned Dixon, a friend of Mrs. Rafferty.”
“Hold on. I think you ought to be in the interrogation with me. I can’t remember all those names. Besides, all I’m looking for is a big drug bust. I have no interest in your case.”
“If we have found the guy who has been putting out contracts on Andrew and me, I think we have also found the guy who knows how and why Sandusky died.”
“Well, then, I think we are going to in a position to approach this interrogation very carefully. Hold on, let me catch this call. Uh-huh. Yeah, bring him to my office. It looks like Lazar’s lawyer is here. You might as well sit in on our discussion. Yes, come in have a seat.”
“Lieutenant, I don’t intend to sit and chew the fat. I want my client released immediately.”
“Well, councilor. Nice to meet you too. Your client is charged with felony drug possession, and he is going nowhere until the bail hearing.”
“Okay, I get that. I do not want you talking to him without me being present. Is that clear?”
“Of course. That is his right. It would be helpful if I could have your name and number.”
“Here is my card. I want to see my client now.”
“You can see him uh Mr. Stannis, just as soon as we get him processed into the facility.”
“How long will that take?”
“He is just arriving now. I would say no more than an hour or so.”
“Is there a place I can wait?”
“Certainly, sir. We have a break room that you are more than welcome to use.”
“I appreciate that.”
“No problem. I’ll have an officer take you there. Once Mr. Popović is in a cell, I will come to get you.”
“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.”
This week marks the 14th anniversary of the launch of Twitter. Although most of us are probably Twitter users today, it might be fun to go back and take in the sights and sounds of that first occasion. As always, take this list, so you don’t inadvertently cause a tear in the time continuum.
10 If you go, do not mention iTunes to co-founder Evan Williams. If you do, at best he’ll be talking to someone else and miss the reference. At worst, you’ll get the Silicon Valley version of the stink eye. (You probably forgot, Loyal that when iTunes launched in 2005 Apple put Willaims’s podcasting business out of business. I think he is going to follow that stink eye with a black eye. It will be yours, of course.)
9 If you go, do not send Tiny the WWF champ any Twitter messages that contain abbreviations. If you do, at best, Tiny won’t have his phone turned on. At worst, he will become confused as to what you are saying. (You have to know, Lucan that a confused Tiny is a dangerous Tiny. Oh look, he has adopted his sumo wrestler stance. It could be he thinks LOL means Lay on Lucan)
8 If you go, do not correct the spelling of the service which was launched as Twttr. If you do, at best folks will think it’s a joke. At worst, Noah Glass a co-founder, and the one who came up with the name, Twitter, will think you stole his idea. (It looks like ole Noah has spent some time in the gym. I’m not sure you want to spar with him, Ludlow.)
7 If you go, do not ask to send the first tweet. If you do, at best, you’ll be ignored. At worst, Jack Dorsey, the engineer who came up with the concept, will not like you. (In case you didn’t know, Ludwik Jack was the first to send a tweet under his handle @jack. He sent the message, “Just setting up my twttr.” Now that he is finished, it looks like he is picking out a hammer from that table of tools. I wonder what he wants to do with that hammer?”
6 If you go, do not pull out your iPhone to send a tweet. If you do, at best everyone will be busy with setting up their own accounts and not notice. At worst, Evan Willians will spot your phone. (Since the iPhone was launched a year after Twitter, Luis, Evan will no doubt think you are from another planet. That won’t stop him from wanting your phone. Looks like he is borrowing Jack Dorsey’s hammer.)
5 If you go, do not tell Evan that you think he should allow more than 140 characters in a tweet. If you do, at best, Evan will think you are an idiot. At worst, Evan will wonder why you are making this suggestion. (You see, Lukman at the time of the Twitter launch SMS messages were limited to 140 characters. Once that limit was lifted, Twitter still hung on to 140 characters until 2017. Evan is heading over to tell you to mind your own business.)
4 If you go, do not ask if you can buy some stock. If you do, at best everyone will get a big laugh. At worst, Evan Williams will think you have been reading his private e-mails. (He does plan to take the company public, Luthais but not until there are more users. He waits until 2013 when there are 200 million subscribers and then offers stock at $29.00. The stock closed that first day at $44.90. Last Friday, it was worth $35.40. The company itself is estimated to be worth $31 Billion.)
3 If you go, do not try to describe Donald Trump’s use. If you do, At best, no one will take you serious. At worst, Evan Williams will want to know where you get your information. (Now you have completely blown your cover, Lyaksandro. Right now, the idea of Donald Trump even running for president, makes the average person laugh out loud. Good luck in getting out of this mess.)
2 If you go, do not tell Evan Williams that he will step away from Twitter in 2019. If you do, At best he won’t believe you. At worst, he will accuse you of working for Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook. (Of course, Lycus eventually Evan will leave Twitter to pursue other interests. Jack Dorsey will take over as CEO. We shouldn’t feel too sorry for Evan as he is worth $1.8 billion)
1 If you go, do not ask about privacy on Twitter. If you do, At best no one will know what you are talking about. At worst, Jack Dorsey will wonder what is driving your question. (Once he understands that you are wondering about selling user data, Lynn he is going to wonder where you got such an idea. I think it’s time to hit the way back button and head home. You will leave all there people scratching their heads.)
Today we are taking a stroll around the neighborhood to look at the last of the blooms. The summer heat is upon us, and so most of the flowers have finished, and the neighborhood settles into coping with the heat. Hope you enjoy.
A very large pink Crape Myrtle. It hasn’t started dropping its blooms, but it will soon.
A red Crape Myrtle blooming its heart out.
Two more reds.
A white oleander. We usually see there on the highway.
A succulent going to seed.
A couple more Crape Myrtles.
A substantial white Crape Myrtle.
Some yard ornaments posing as deer.
Another succulent which went to seed then broke and uprooted itself.
I’m keeping my eye on this fig tree. The figs are getting bigger.
It is Stream of Consciousness time again and here is Linda Hill to explain the prompt for this week. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “song.” First, find a picture–the closest one to you. Your prompt is the title and/or the lyrics of the first song that comes to mind when you look at the picture. Have fun!”
If you would like to have fun, please visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link.
“The Puma spots the unsuspecting water buffalo.” “The water buffalo plays possum by pretending not to notice the foolish puma. Bring it on big cat.” “Did you just say ‘cat?”‘
Another Friday and it is my guess that this week seemed long because last Friday was part of the weekend due to the holiday. Happy Friday. (woo woo)
Today starts at least seven days of above 100 degree temperatures. It seems a big ole high-pressure area is moving in from the west coast (where everything is high) and is going to be sitting over Texas for at least a week. For you non-weathercasters, what this means is no clouds, no rain, just pure sun hitting the Earth broadside. Being in the South, it just means HOT. There is no heat like Texas heat. With humidity, a hundred degrees feels like one hundred and ten. Egg fry on sidewalk time.
I just finished formatting my paper edition of Eternal Road – The last stop. Moving to the e-book edition next. Not sure when the cover concepts will arrive, but I have given the artist all the info to start the creative process. I am looking forward to the first concepts.
Texas is in a nosedive virus wise. People love to get together and swap droplets at their favorite bar or cookout. Some idiots have taken to not wearing masks and then being jerks to those who do. I have to wonder about some folks. As for me, I’m wearing mine when I go out. (Just to be clear I go out only when necessary)
Today’s John Ku talks about politics a bit. I hope you all have a safe and healthy weekend.
“So you are telling me this is Wednesday?” “Sigh. Like every other Wednesday.” “Why not just make it Friday?” “Is that mom calling you?”
It is Wednesday Story Day time again, and last week, we all held our breath as the Lieutenant allowed Lazar Popovic to make a call to his lawyer on his cell phone. We have all heard how a cell phone can be used as a detonator, so we had every right to be worried. What the lieutenant knew which we didn’t is if Popovic had some plan to blow up the place he would be taken out with everyone and everything else. So he made the call. The lieutenant put him in cuffs. The lieutenant’s officers are searching the place. I see a sergeant approaching the Lieutenant. Let’s go and hear what she has to say.
“Yes, sergeant.”
“We’ll have to get some lab work done, but my educated guess is this is cocaine.”
“How many of these bags did you find?”
“We don’t have an accurate count, but I would say North of one hundred kilos.”
“One hundred? OMG, we are talking close to three million dollars worth.”
“And that’s not all.”
“Talk to me.”
“We got pills. Boxes and boxes of uppers, downers, and everything in between.”
“So, this is a major distribution center.”
“Looks like it.”
“Hear that Mr. Popovic. We have a charge of felony drug distribution. I’m going to wager no judge in his right mind is going to let you bail out on this charge.”
“I’m just a businessman, lieutenant. I don’t know anything about what you are talking about. “
“So, you were just in the neighborhood when we pulled a raid. huh?”
“You said it, not me.”
“Larry and Andrew. We got a lot of evidence here. I don’t think this guy is going to be doing any more contracts for a while.”
“Good to know, lieutenant.”
“Contracts? What are you talking about?”
“Hush up, Mr. Popovic. You can talk all you want when we see your lawyer down at the lockup.”
“But wait. You are thinking that I had a contract on someone.”
“Yeah, that’s exactly what we are thinking.”
“Who are you?”
“Name’s Dunfee from Boston. I’m sure you have heard that name before.”
“Can’t say that I have. What are a couple of Boston dicks doing here?”
“Excuse me, Mr. Popovic, but I think you have the question sequence a little out of order.”
“All I know lieutenant is someone has set me up, and I have a strong feeling who. I never ordered a contract on anyone in my life. So good luck in trying to blame me.”
“Okay, I hate to break up this little love fest but we need to get to the lock-up. Larry, you and Andrew can ride with me. The sergeant can take Mr. Popovic to the lock-up along with all these characters.”
“Yes, sir. I called for a van. It should be here any minute.”
“Thanks, sergeant. We’ll see you there then. Book all these guys on felony drug charges.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And, sergeant.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Make sure we have continued chain of custody of the evidence. This is going to be a big case, and I don’t want a technicality to screw it up.”
“The lab folks have signed for it, sir. They are packing it up even as we speak.”
“Very good. Come on, guys we need to get back to headquarters.”
“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.”
