Wednesday Story Day – AKA Hump Day

September 2, 2015August 31, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 36 Comments

It’s Wednesday Story Day again. This week is a brand new story, and I have to take a moment to offer some condolences to those who didn’t have their seatbelt fastened for the conclusion of Bob and Charlotte’s little soap opera. I can only hope Y’all recover quickly. So this week we will join a couple of college kids who are sitting in the Student Union and trying to figure out what to do for the weekend.

“So I don’t care what we do Ben. I know I don’t want to party too hard. Next week is midterms, and I have to get some studying done.”

“I’m with you one hundred percent. If I don’t pull an A on my Psych exam, I’m going to get a C, and that will be the end of my scholarship.”

“Why don’t we just stay in and study?”

“You know it sounds like the right thing to do.”

“We could make it fun. You know we could order pizza delivery and maybe watch a movie.”

“Now you’re talking. I want to see an oldie. In fact, it’s for my writing class.”

“A movie for a writing class? That sounds odd.”

“I know right? The professor recommended this move as a study in the dialog.”

“Which one is it?”

“Chinatown with Jack Nicholson. It’s available on Netflix.”

“Well I never heard of it but I’m game. Why don’t we watch it and study at my place? We can stream the movie.”

“Cool, then we don’t even have to go out. What about your roommate?”

“Oh, she’s going home this weekend. Some wedding or something.”

“Perfect. We will be alone.”

“What is that look?”

“What look?”

“Then we will be alone look.”

“I don’t have a look.”

“I know you Ben, and you have a look.”

“Well, maybe I was thinking we could get close again.”

“By close you mean intimate right?”

“Er, um.”

“We agreed we were going to keep sex out of our relationship. Remember?”

“Sure I remember. I still miss it, though.”

“Well maybe someday we can think about it but for now forget it.”

“Yes, sir. I mean yes Alexis.”

“Don’t give me that puppy dog look. We agreed we didn’t need the complexity right now.”

“I know. Let’s drop it okay.”

“Good idea. What kind of soda do you want?”

“How about root beer. Not that diet stuff either.”

“You want chips with that?”

“I love you.”

“I know.”

Tuesday Anything Possible – Kreative Kue Photo Prompt # 40

September 1, 2015August 31, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 28 Comments

As you may know, I have become enamored by the talent of Keith Channing. He has a weekly prompt named Kreative Kue, which runs on Mondays. Here are the instructions from Keith for the prompt. “Using this photo as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; and either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithkreates@channing.fr 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 blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated.”

His advice. “Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries, with links to your blog or website, next Monday.” Here is the photo.

Here is my interpretation.

“Larry look at that guy.”

“I can’t he will see if I turn my head. Tell me.”

“Okay. You won’t believe it. He looks like a Roman.”

“How-”

“Sush, not so loud.”

“Okay, is this better?”

“Yes.”

“How do you know he looks like a Roman.”

“Well for one thing he has leather armor on.”

“Well, that is odd but is it like Roman armor?”

“That’s my opinion, Larry. You are such a pain sometimes. The point isn’t if he is authentic it’s that he is in costume.”

“Hey, you told me to keep my voice down. You should too.”

“Yeah fine. Want some of this sandwich?”

“No. I want to know more about the Roman.”

“Just look at him. What’s he going to do? Run you through with his spear.”

“He has a spear?”

“Yes, it’s laying on the box he is sitting on.”

“That’s a little more like it. I’m going to sneak a peek. OMG, he is wearing Bally sandals .”

“You idiot I didn’t say he was a Roman I said he looks like one.”

“He has horn-rim glasses. What a fake. You didn’t tell me about the glasses.”

“I could hit you with this sandwich. Why don’t you go tell him not me.”

” I would like to do that very thing.”

“What’s stopping you ?”

“He does have a spear, and I have to say his haircut looks right. I’m unsure.”

“You’re impossible.”

“Still offering a bite of the sandwich?”

“Please don’t make me tell you what to bite given how I feel right now.”

Top Ten Things Not to do When the Stock Market Goes Nuts

August 31, 2015May 8, 2022 ~ John W. Howell ~ 57 Comments

'Stocks rise on news that there's no other place to put your money - after interest rates hit rock bottom.' — ‘Stocks rise on news that there’s no other place to put your money – after interest rates hit rock bottom.’

The inspiration for this list is last week’s volatility in the price of stocks. Although I was tempted to do almost all of them I refrained and kept myself under control. Hopefully, I will keep the list handy for the next time since I have a feeling there will be many more thrill rides this year.

Top Ten Things Not to do When the Stock Market Goes Nuts.

10 When the stock market takes a dive, do not go near an open window. If you do, at best you will think about jumping out. At worst, you will take a jump and then realize the window is on the ground floor. (Pretty embarrassing dropping thirty-six inches)

9 When the stock market takes a dive, do not call your broker. If you do, at best they will talk you into calming down. At worst, you will be calm as you lose 20% of your 401K. (Now don’t you feel better for the call?)

8 When the stock market takes a dive, do not panic. If you do, at best you will embarrass yourself in front of co-workers and family. At worst, you will need to seek a specialist on hair replacement when the panic is over. (That bare spot on the side definitely needs attention)

7 When the stock market takes a dive, do not sell anything. If you do, at best you will feel in control but poorer. At worst, you will incur losses that will take years to replace and now you waited too long to get back in, and the prices are already too high. (I know it’s complicated)

6 When the stock market takes a dive, do not listen to the advice of the analysts. If you do, at best you will make a sudden move, and you will be already too late to save money. At worst, you will listen to the wrong analysis and do the opposite of the right thing. (After all no two analysts have the same advice)

5 When the stock market takes a dive, do not let others know how bad things look. If you do, at best you will have to deal with their concerns and advice as well as the problem of lost value. At worst, you will be compelled to make an unwarranted move to convince others you are in control. (This is true if you are the custodian of others funds)

4 When the stock market takes a dive, do not check your accounts. If you do, at best you will be tempted to make a sudden ill-advised move. At worst, you will focus on the negative reports to the point where you will need shock therapy to make a comeback. (Negative reports are not valuable in the current situation.)

3 When the stock market takes a dive, do not read the financial news. If you do, At best you will be convinced the world is coming to an end. At worst, you will need to have a cardiologist on speed dial to handle your recurring symptoms of heart failure. (Makes you want to be a trained EMS tech so you could self-administer defibrillation. You can handle those paddles yourself right?)

2 When the stock market takes a dive, do not go into the local pub. If you do, at best the problem will still be there tomorrow along with that gigantic throbbing head sharing your bed. At worst, you will get it into your mind to have it out once and for all with the stock seller person and the police intercept you before you get to where they live. (Don’t worry about the DUI. As bad, as it is it’s easier to handle than what you were thinking about doing last night.)

1 When the stock market takes a dive, do not forget why you invested in stocks in the first place. If you do, at best you neglect your long-range financial goals. At worst, you will put all your money into a box under the bed with the possibility that it will be worth much less in the future or a burglar will find it. (Not to mention you arguing with the firefighters about getting back into your burning house.)

Sunday – Fifty-Two Views of the Gulf

August 30, 2015August 29, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 26 Comments

Today’s photo shows a continued lack of a lot of visitors on the beach. You can tell the wind has been calm since there are a lot of footprints leading to and from the walkover. There is one lone camper on the left, and they look like they will not be staying too long. The temp this morning was a cool 78 degrees and since the humidity is in the 60’s it seems much cooler. The water is still at 89 degrees, so it feels like a bath when you go in.

Last week’s photo.

You can see the effects of high winds on the sand and the lack of footprints.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt Any Four Letter Word

August 29, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 26 Comments

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday again. This week’s prompt is any four letter word. This more or less opens the world of words that have four letters. I guess I could go to all kinds of extra efforts to find a real good four letter word yet the one that immediately comes to mind is love. I think I’ll go with that one. If you would like to join in each week go to Linda’s site and find out how to do it. It’s easy so come on join in. http://lindaghill.com/2015/08/28/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-august-2915/ Here is my interpretation of a four letter word prompt.

“So you’re part of this prompt thing are ya?”

“Yeah, I am. This week’s is a bit of a puzzle though.”

“How so?”

“The prompt is any four letter word.”

“Any four letter word? Wow I can think of a hundred right off the top of my head.’

“All good for mixed company right?”

“Well anyone I hang out with has heard them all before.”

“I can imagine.”

“What’s that mean?”

“Oh nothing. I just think we’ve all become too casual about the use of profanity.”

“Profanity? What makes you think I was talking about profanity?”

“Oh I don’t know. Just the way you jumped on the four letter thing I guess.”

“Well I’ll have you know the first word that popped into my mind was ‘help.”’

“Help? You serious?”

“Yeah then walk, talk , milk, silk, wish, fish, rant, aunt, tale, fail,near, beer─”

“Okay I get it. I’m sorry I accused you of being profane.”

“Said, dead, keep, beep─”

“Enough. I take it back.”

“I love you man.”

“W-what?”

“You are so gullible.”

“So I was right.”

“Naw. I was thinking of the best one.”

“Which is?”

“Love. As in I love you.”

“You kill me.”

“I love you to death.”

“You can say that again, but please don’t”

Friday JohnKu – AKA TGIF

August 28, 2015August 26, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 27 Comments

Friday again. Boy what a week in the financial market. It was one for the record books and not at all enjoyable. I now realize why I don’t like to go to Las Vegas and put my hard-earned money down and watch it being swept away. It sucks when money disappears. (Okay, okay it’s on paper and not real money) I hope everyone who is determined to continue the carnage in the stock market has a nice weekend. Maybe then they will come to work Monday with the idea of buying instead of selling. I for one decided to sit this whole mess out. I don’t need to sell stocks and so maybe when the time comes when I do the market will return to normal. Either that or maybe I can take up collecting aluminum cans. Heaven knows there are enough left on the beach. This week’s JohnKu talks about concern around money. Hope you like it.

As the worry stops,

And life becomes easier. . .

The Dow interrupts.

Thursday – A Little Personal

August 27, 2015August 27, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 25 Comments

A couple of weeks ago I did a post that had the tail end of a freighter moving through the Corpus Christi ship channel on the way to pick up some oil. I wasn’t quick enough to get a good picture. You can go HERE to see it if you want. I was finally successful yesterday in getting a couple of shots of a freighter just as it entered the channel from the Gulf. Here is one picture.

Notice how high the ship rides in the water. This shows you the boat is empty.

The ship’s name is Cape Bird and this photo shows you the bow wave. Usually, there are dolphins swimming in the bow wave playing a game of racing the ship. There were none when I took the photo.

Here is a closer photo as the ship passes and begins to move further into the channel on its way to pick up oil.

I took this final shot which includes a couple of old salts pondering what they should have for lunch. “How about fish fellas?”

Wednesday Story Day – Conclusion – AKA Hump Day

August 26, 2015August 25, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 31 Comments

"So what do you do?" "I'm a writer." "No I mean what do you do for money?" — “So what do you do?” “I’m a writer.” “No I mean what do you do for money?”

Wednesday Story Day again. Last week we left poor Charlotte calling for Bob to come out and help her with Robert. (If you just joined this craziness you have to know Bob has an alternate personality named Robert, who is obsessed with him and Bob’s mother. All is clear right? Good). We need to get back since it is clear Robert is getting a little (Understatement) carried away. He still sees Charlotte as his mother Melissa with whom he has admitted to an unhealthy attraction. Buckle up kids here we go.

“Robert I demand that you let go of my arm.”

“Yeah, mommy and whatcha going to do if I don’t?”

“Why do you keep calling me mommy?”

“Because you are our mama.”

“I’m Charlotte Robert. I’m not your mother.”

“You can keep fooling Bob, but I know the truth.”

“So Robert tell me the truth.”

“You keep telling Bob you are a teacher hired by our mother.”

“Yes, that’s true.”

“It’s a lie. You are our mother and you are trying to sabotage Bob’s writing.”

“And if I were your mother, why would I want to do that?”

“Because you know Bob has written a story about you and what you did to us when we were younger. You can’t find the story to destroy it, so you think the next best thing is to make sure Bob has no confidence in himself to publish it.”

“This sounds like a madman’s tale. Tell me who is going to listen to a couple of crazy personalities? You are split personalities and in anyone’s book totally nuts.”

“Then why are you so worried.”

“I’m not worried Robert. In fact, I’m telling you to let me go or something bad is going to happen to you.”

“You can’t scare me, Melissa.”

“How did you know it was me.?”

“Your eyes have a slight shade of green that gets darker when you are Melissa and not Charlotte.”

“So where does this leave us?”

“I think you are going to die.”

“Over my dead body. Excuse the joke Robert but you don’t have what it takes to kill me.”

“Why not keep shooting off your mouth and see.”

“Shut up Robert now. Let me go or I will have to use this.”

“You have a gun. Quell dramatic. Go ahead shoot your son.”

“Don’t think I won’t?”

“Now I have the gun, mom. Pretty dumb to take your eyes off me.”

“Let her go, Robert.”

“Bob, How the hell?”

“I said let her go, or you’ll get shot.’

“You know you are talking to yourself right?”

“I said let her go.”

“Not on your life Bob.”

“Oh, my gosh Bob you just shot Robert.”

“And myself mom.”

“Oh, my poor boy.”

“Mom?”

“Yes, my son.”

“You’re a sick puppy you know.’

“I know son, and I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. Me finally finding some peace is the way it should end. I hope you get some help.”

“Bob. I never meant to hurt you. Bob? You’re gone aren’t you?”

“He’s gone, mom.”

“Robert? How are you?”

“I think I’m going to go too.”

“No Robert. Please don’t leave me alone.”

“Bob was right you know.”

Right? About what?”

“You need help. You’ve destroyed our lives as well as your own. I need to go now. Bye, mom.”

“Please forgive me. Robert talk to me. Please say something. Robert, my love come back. I can make this okay. Robert?”

Tune in next week for a whole new story.

#RRBC Spotlight Author Tour – Larry Hyatt

August 25, 2015August 24, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 28 Comments

I am pleased to have Larry Hyatt visit Fiction Favorites. Larry is the Spotlight Author for Rave Reviews Book Club. Go here to see the rest of his schedule

Author Bio:

Larry Hyatt has written radio comedy, sketch comedy and plays, produced television and radio, worked as a creative director for an arts and entertainment magazine, and published numerous humorous articles and essays. Originally from New Orleans he’s a graduate of the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts and attended Loyola University’s School of Music as a vocalist, went into radio broadcasting, has been a nightclub in house entertainer (Where he did theatre in a bar), produced and hosted television shows for LCN-TV, and started an entertainment magazine called the “The Tri-Parish Navi-Gator,” featuring theatre, music, dining and the arts in South Louisiana. He hosts “Larry Hyatt is the Morning” on C-96.7 KCIL Radio in Houma, La.

Book Blurb:
How to Reach for the American Dream… (And not get it), is the fictional, comedic account of the life of an entertainer who from childhood had what it took to “make it.” You’ll laugh, cry, and cheer him on as he struggles to achieve what only a select few can through his television kid show debut, glee clubs, remedial college studies, gaining weight as a “starving” artist, dating women out of his league, nightclub entertainer, and romps through radio, television, and publishing.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/How-Reach-American-Dream-Not-ebook/dp/B00FSKCGTU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1439568159&sr=8-1&keywords=larry+hyatt

Find Larry Online!

Twitter: @hyhattlarry
Facebook: www.facebook.com/larry.hyatt.967
Website: www.hyhatt.blogspot.com

If you are lucky enough to be chosen as a “SPOTLIGHT” AUTHOR, here is what you and your book will receive:

1) A one-week long blog tour on several blogs, set up by Rave Reviews Book Club;

2) A press release that you can submit to your local hometown newspapers & radio (if you so choose);

3) A PDF flyer that you can print and post in local businesses and bookstores promoting your status as a “SPOTLIGHT” AUTHOR of Rave Reviews Book Club;

4) A “WHO’S ON THE SHELF” Interview hosted by our very own President, Nonnie Jules right here on the Rave Reviews Bookshelf! These are so much FUN and heavily promoted!

5) A special “LIVE” BlogTalk Radio Interview/RAVE WAVES/Bring On The Spotlight with Author and Host, John Fioravanti!

6) Tweets and RTs promoting you and your book heavily during your “SPOTLIGHT” week from the RAVE REVIEWS BOARD MEMBERS, the RAVE REVIEWS Tweet Support Team and other club members, as well as Facebook blasts on club member walls; Pinterest and Instagram posts, etc;

7) A “SPOTLIGHT” on our site, with your photo, book cover, blurb and buy links, directing and encouraging the masses to purchase/read and post reviews of your book;

8) After your “SPOTLIGHT” week is over, you will get a listing on our Past “SPOTLIGHT” Authors page IF you are in good standing with the club.

Now, I know you’re wondering how you can become one of our “SPOTLIGHT” AUTHORS. Well, have you joined yet? Membership in our book club is the only way to the awesome title of “SPOTLIGHT” AUTHOR!!!

“You Can’t Buy This Kind of Support!”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #39 by Keith Channing – Prompt

August 25, 2015August 31, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 26 Comments

As you may know, I have become enamored by the talent of Keith Channing. He has a weekly prompt named Kreative Kue, which runs on Mondays. Here are the instructions from Keith for the prompt. “Using this photo as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; and either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithkreates@channing.fr 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.”

His advice. “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 website, next Monday.” Here is the photo.