“Look it is Friday.” “Gee Lucy you. seem pretty excited.” “I have to say I do like Friday.”
It is Friday again. In my mind this week went pretty fast. I really can’t explain it other than being really busy. Speaking of busy, I am over at Story Empire today talking about dialogue tags. Yeah, I know exciting stuff, eh? There might be some food for thought is you visit.
If you saw my post yesterday you know I’m getting ready to launch Eternal Road – The final stop. I will be making one more call for volunteers as we get closer to the time. Thanks to everyone who signed up already. If you missed the post here is the cover again.
E-book cover
COVID-19 continues to dominate the news. More cases here in Texas but some evidence that masks are causing infections to level off. I still wear mine. Of course, my going out time is limited.
You have to wonder when life will return to normal. There is turmoil everywhere and it seems we all are becoming more isolated due to questionable leadership, confusing information, and fractured communities. One has to wonder where to look for solid assurance that all will eventually be well. Today’s JohnKu lays out a hint as to where to look. I hope you all have a happy weekend. Stay safe.
This week marks the 87th anniversary of Wiley Post’s solo flight around the world, which he accomplished in 1933. We all would love to be with him on the plane. There is one problem in that If we join him on the flight it would not be a solo for him. I think we can work out something where time travelers don’t count as real people. (Oh, come on. Work with me here.) If you want to go, you need to take a list of things not to do so that we don’t put a big ole rip in the time continuum.
10. If you are going on the flight, do not ask if we are there yet. If you do, at best, Wiley will be too busy to hear you. At worst, since you said it just after take-off, Wiley is going to let you test the spare parachute. (I think it would have been good to wait a little linger, Lyonia. After all, the flight lasted 7 days, 18 hours, and 49 minutes. Yeah, that strap goes between your legs. No, I don’t know what you yell, going out the door.)
9 If you are going on the flight, do not ignore Tiny the WWF champ when he tells you your suitcase is too heavy. If you do, at best, Tiny will get distracted. At worst, Tiny will figure out a way to lighten it for you. (You see, Lysander, Tiny is in charge of loading the plane, and he is not used to being ignored. Oh, look. He has dumped your suitcase on the tarmac. You sure that is your suitcase. Those are pretty fancy unmentionables you have there.)
8 If you are going on the flight, do not ask when the beverage service starts. If you do, at best, the noise of the aircraft will effectively mute you. At worst, Wiley will offer that you test the guest parachute, but unfortunately, it has already been tested by Lyonia. (This presents a problem, Liam. I think I would tell Mr. Post that you are okay for now. Might be more comfortable than learning to skydive with no chute.)
7 If you are going on the flight, do not ask where the first-class section is located. If you do, at best, Wiley will think you are joking. At worst, when he discovers you are not, he will make you a private first-class section in the back. (Don’t look now, Lucas, but you are sitting in what used to be called the mailbag section. I agree it is not very comfortable. Too bad you can’t stand up either.)
6 If you are going on the flight, do not touch anything in the cockpit. If you do, at best, it won’t be essential. At worst, you just shut off the Sperry autopilot device. (I would tell Wiley, Levi. Yeah, he’s going to be mad at you, but that will be better than getting lost over Russia.)
5 If you are going on the flight, do not make fun of the plane’s name Winnie Mae. If you do, at best, Wiley will be on the radio and not hear you. At worst, he’ll explain that the plane was named after his first mentor’s daughter. (Now you have a choice, Leo. Give a big ole apology or take a big ole step into the atmosphere. I thought you would choose the former.)
4 If you are going on the flight, do not pretend you know how to speak Russian. If you do, at best, there will be no need for an interpretation. At worst, the autopilot will need repair, and the only place to stop is Russia. (What are you going to do now, Lawrence? The instrument needs repair, and everyone is looking at you for directions. I think it might be time to hit the way back button. Those Russian soldiers don’t have much of a sense of humor.)
3 If you are going on the flight, do not ask Wiley Post about his eyepatch. If you do, at best, he will ignore you. At worst, he tells you the story of how he lost his eye in great detail. (Hold on Lorenzo. Wiley is getting to the exciting part where a piece of drilling equipment took his eye in 1926. I know it is a little gruesome, but you had to ask.)
2 If you are going on the flight, do not bring up Wiley’s career as an armed robber. If you do, at best, he will want to laugh it off. At worst, he’ll tell you the story. ( You’ve heard the expression, “If I tell you then I’ll have to kill you?” Lance. Well, Wiley did 12 months for stealing a car in 1921. He does have a murderous look in his eye.)
1 If you are going on the flight, do not ask Wiley how many award miles you will get for the trip. If you do, at best he will not understand you. At worst, he will tell you that you will have earned enough miles to win a Bentley Turbo. (You have to wonder why he keeps laughing, Larry. I think you may be the butt of a Wiley flying solo 1933 joke.)
“What are you doing, Little One?” “Checking to make sure this is Friday.” “Trust me, it is.” “Trust is fine, Control is better.”
Another Friday is upon us. Yes indeed. I hope it means that you will be doing something fun for the weekend. I am wondering these days what that something fun could be?
For us here in Serenityville, it means trying to figure out a photo session for Views of the Neighborhood, which has to be taken on Saturday. It is getting tougher and tougher to find a subject due to the suspension of most of the activities around town. When we finally decide on a topic, it is a rush to get it done and scheduled to run.
The schools here in Texas have been given local authority to decide to conduct classes remotely. There has been a great deal of angst by the teachers on possibly having to go back to the classroom while the virus cases continue to climb. Now the local school boards can decide. Most are leaning toward virtual learning sessions.
“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.)
“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.”
“It’s Friday, Little One.” “Yes, and time for a ruckus.”
Another Friday is here, and I hope it means you will get some time off. For many Friday is the day off in celebration of the Fourth of July tomorrow. That will mean a long three day weekend. Of course, we who are still locked up have no idea what a three day weekend feels like.
Texas is slowly going backward in a rush to open. Bars that have 51% of their revenue have been shuttered. Also, all the parks in our county have been closed. The authorities are trying to keep people from gathering over the holiday. Most firework shows have been canceled for the same reason.
I saw with interest that the beaches at my old home have been closed to vehicular traffic, including golf carts. The hours have been cut as well, so there is no camping. It means if you want to go to the beach this year you have to walk in with all your stuff. I think a lot of folks will take a rain check on that.
I have started to format my WIP and will get the cover design work done. It does not appear that there is agent interest, which is fine. Once done, I will self publish.
Today’s JohnKu discusses the idea of being self-sufficient. I hope everyone has a great holiday weekend.
“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.”
“Well, that’s crazy. No one sends a dog through the post.”
“It looks like that’s exactly what happened.”
“Get the poor fellow a drink. He must be thirsty.”
“Water?”
“No, you idiot. Get him a big glass of whiskey. Maybe what he doesn’t finish you can have.”
“A woman after my own heart.”
“Of course, water.”
“Yes, I’m going.”
“Oh, poor puppy. I can’t imagine who would do this to you.”
“Look on the return address.”
“Huh?”
“Here’s the water. I put it in a bowl. I said, look at the return address. That will tell us who sent this beautiful puppy.”
“Don’t start with a ‘beautiful puppy.’ This dog’s not staying.”
“Aw, look at his eyes. Look how much he appreciates the water.”
“My foot is down.”
“He seems to be a pure-bred Jack Russell too.”
“So, where did he come from?”
“Let me see. Ah, yes, here it is. The return address is—Wait a minute. This box says it was mailed from London. That would be impossible.”
“So, what does the return address say?”
“It is from the Reliable Battery Company in London.”
“Why would they mail a dog?”
“I think we have been tricked. Look here the mailing address has been ripped off. This box was placed on our porch by someone local. Someone who used a box that they received batteries in. This poor thing is unwanted.”
“I have to wonder about the length of time that it took to figure that out.”
“Okay, so I thought it came in the post. What about the dog.”
“I’ll give it some of last night’s meat. Then it has to go.”
“Where?”
“To the vet. We need to get a check-up and some real dog food.”
When we all have been quarantined as long as we have the subject material for a Views feature starts to get a little thin. This week I noticed several swings and playthings hanging in people’s yards. These things spoke to me of more staying at home as opposed to going to parks. You are welcome to come along or stay right here. If you decide to pass. on the walk, help yourself to a margarita and keep the social distance.
Here is a whole jungle gym kind of set up. Hard to see, but there are rings and pull-up bars. Has a “Go outside and play” vibe.
Although not hanging here is a soccer net and real-live players.
A cute little baby swing.
A very common swing. In a sweet cool spot.
Nothing is hanging on the crape myrtles. I just thought they looked beautiful in the Saharan Dust filled day.
The look of a classic swing is in front of a cottage.
Another swing. Hard to see, but there is one on the porch too.
Yup. Swing.
I had to laugh at the Uncle Sam hanging from a pole. An early Fourth of July item.
Now we are talking—a hammock under the trees.
A swing, kiddie car, and lots of washed-out sidewalk chalk dust. Yup playtime place.
Well, that’s it. I hope you had a nice walk. You have earned your margarita. I’m paring those with chips and mango salsa. Can you say “Über home?”
