Oct. 30th, 2014

I have pages now, with links to get to them and everything.

I think that alone, with all the effort I had to go to should count as my writing entry, but I’ll write something too… :)

 What was supposed to be a simple video of our beautiful daughter starting her first day of school, turned into the video documentary of a lifetime.

The day started out rather hectically, as one might imagine. Steven and I had both planned to go into work late so that we could walk our sweet little Patricia to her first day of school.

She had been excited the night before and had had difficulty getting to sleep. As a result, she was a little cranky this morning.

We managed to get most of her breakfast into her and only had a few minor spills.

We packed her lunch box and her back-pack and made sure not to forget Bibbit, her beloved stuffed frog.

Off we went, down the three blocks to the school yard.  Steven had a Go-Pro strapped to his shoulder so we wouldn’t have to miss a single moment. The sun was shining on the colourful leaves and the birds were singing; it was a beautiful autumn morning. Not a cloud in the sky.

We arrived at the school yard, is seemed, at about the same time as everyone else. Many young faces, eager to begin a new chapter of learning, and many more older faces there to encourage the youngsters.

I suppose with all the chattering, it’s no wonder that no one noticed the birds had stopped chirping. But they had.

Everyone was so concerned with lunchboxes and teddy bears and dirty faces, that no one even took much notice when the sun grew dull.

People did start to take notice when a low pitched HUMMMMM grew louder and louder, and as the once bright morning grew darker and darker.

The crowd took a great deal of notice once they looked up to see a hovering disc, the size of a city block floating above our heads.

There were no lights to be seen. Parts of the disc seemed to be spinning, while others seemed to be still. It was most peculiar.

The children began to scream. The adults who could keep their wits about them, did their best to calm their offspring.  Everyone hurried for some type of safety.

Steven and I scooped up Patricia and clung to each other, unsure where safety might be found. 

The yelling continued. Some folks ran to cars, others to nearby houses.

I looked at Steven, and although I saw some fear in his eyes, I saw mostly excitement. We both looked at Patricia, and to our amazement, she was smiling, excited for what was happening.

The Humming was very loud by that time and we seemed to be the only family still in the school yard.

The very centre of the disc began to move, shimmy and spin.  We didn’t know what to expect next. Possibly a beam of light, or a weapon?

Neither Steven nor I were about to leave until we knew, and it was all we could do to keep Patricia from running to get a better look.

Our questions were answered, but even more jumped into our minds when, from the center, came a wave of heat, or energy, and there, in front of us, stood a smallish, greenish being. About the same height as Patricia, wide eyes, tufts of purple stringy hair, carrying a raggedy looking stuffed thing, and a small colourful box.

Patricia then broke loose of our grip, and ran to the being, stopping just in front of them.

“Hello” she said. “Is this your first day too?”

True story, it’s all on Steven’s GoPro

I could, and maybe should go on, but for now, I’ll leave it there.

Hope you enjoyed.

Feel free to comment and please take a look at the other pages on my site… let me know what you think.

Cheers

Oct 29th 2014

So...

First Date:

About half way through dinner, I was beginning to think I had made a bad choice. Sure he was cute, but there was no zip. I was bored, to be honest.

The food was fine, it was a nice restaurant, but the conversation was superficial and predictable.

I excused myself to go to the little girls’ room.

I stood at the mirror debating weather or not to go back out, or to call up by friend to get her to call me back with some made up emergency.

The moment she left the table, I was able to exhale.  She made me so nervous I could barely speak. Worst first date I had ever been on. She’s beautiful, but the way she looks at me… I’m sure she isn’t interested in me at all. She sure isn’t interested in anything I have to say.

She gives me these looks, as thought I’m a boring idiot with nothing worth saying. I have a lot to say, but I get the feeling that she’s judging my every word, my every move.

Maybe she just won’t come back, maybe she’ll just skip out.

I decide to do the right thing. I take one last look in the mirror, fix my hair and head back to the table.

Oh crap, she’s coming back. Take a deep breath Jimmy…

I take my seat next to him and clear my throat. I look him straight in the eyes. “Listen”, I smile, “I’ve had a really nice time”.

I wasn’t lying. It had been nice. Boring, but nice.

“I just don’t think that we’re really hitting if off… do you?”

Well, I can’t say I didn’t see it coming.

“Ya, I was feeling the same.” I could also feel the weight lift from my shoulders as the words left my mouth. “It was really great to meet you, Tiffany.”

His smile seemed very sweet and genuine. He certainly had his charms. I smiled back, relieved that he also felt the same way.

Her smile can certainly light up a room. “So, no desert then?”

I couldn’t help but laugh. His comment caught me off guard.

Her laugh was intoxicating.

“No,” I replied “no desert.”

I watched him as he called for the bill. It was easy to see why I had been drawn to him in the first place. It’s a shame the date didn’t go better, to bad things didn’t click.

We walked together out of the restaurant and as I held the door for her, we noticed that it had begun to rain… heavily. 

I couldn’t believe that this date could get any worse, but it was now pouring and his car was parked about a block away. “Crap” I swore, “I guess we’ll have to make a run for it.”

I didn’t want her to have to get soaked. “I can get the car, you wait here.”

That was sweet of him, and his eyes were so kind. I nodded. “Thanks,” and he was gone. Running, the rain pelting down at him from above, the puddle splashing up form below.

He looked good from behind, I’m not going to lie. His dress shirt, now wet, clung to his shoulders. Really sweet of him to go get the car, in the rain, for someone who, basically just bailed on the first date.

Soaking, beyond wet, I think my bones are floating, but I suppose its a fitting end to a date as bad at that one. The car fogged up as soon as I got in, so I had to put the fans on high. Still can't see too well through the windshield.

But I saw her from a block away. There was just something about her, an air of elegance, quiet beauty. The date may not have gone well, but I was glad I had met her.

He pulled up, and I jumped into the passenger seat. He was soaked.

When she jumped into the car, she looked so adorable. She hadn’t been in the rain all that long, but it had soaked her pretty good.  I reached for some extra napkins in the glove box and handed her a stack. She laughed again. Mesmerizing.

“Ha ha” I took the stack of napkins, and patted my face dry with a few, but handed him back the rest “you need these more than I do.”

She was pretty cute, sitting next to me in the warmth of the car, the cold rain outside.

He didn’t take the napkins, so, naturally I gently patted his face to dry it off.

Then she did the most unexpected thing, she began to dry my face.  I was dumbfounded, once again at a loss for works. My hand went to meet hers and I held her hand as she continues to dry my face.

It felt easy, comfortable, as though he needed me to reach out to him. Then he reached back to me and I found myself lost in the moment.

She stopped and we held a look.

His eyes looked right into my soul. I could feel him in my heart.

Before I knew exactly what I was doing, I found myself leaning towards her, and then…

He leaned towards me and before I knew what was happening…

We kissed, and it was magical.

Hope you enjoyed. :)

Comment if you like.
Cheers.

Oct. 28th, 2014

A little free-flow writing.

In some ways it's exactly how I'm feeling, but i tried to look at it from different points of view when I wrote it.

It's not long, but it was a bit draining.

Hope you enjoy.

I’m tired, so tired. I want to sleep, rest my eyes for just a moment, and rest my bones for only a second. I’ve been through so much and I’ve come so far, but now, I need to stop, not for long.

I’m afraid that if I stop, I’ll never start again, that I’ll fade away into the soft and easy ebb and flow of dream land forever. Destine to never really complete my journey.

But every fibre of my being aches. My feet, my legs and, oh, my back is so very sore. If I could only take a moment just to relieve he pressure.

The pressure is the glue that binds me together and the stress propels me forward. If I stop, the pressure and stress will build up and I will be unable to cope.

From all the pressure and stress so far imposed upon me, I have sores and bruises. I need to heal, let my body and my mind relax and mend. I need some time to repair the damage done.

If the damage is done, what’s one more step? And then another? It’s all in the mind. Keep going, another, and another. There is no pain, only another stop.

Step, step, must step… must stop. Stop and breath, stop and unwind, slowdown and find the calm, find the quiet, the tranquil, the void. The nothing.

….

Hope it didn't tire you out.
I know I'm exhausted.

Cheers and
Good night.

Oct 27th, 2014

I had class tonight, and we were asked to do a writing exercise... write a speech, given by a secondary character at the wedding (or funeral) of another character.
As one might expect, I didn't do it.
Which is not to say I don't see the value in the exercise, just that as I'm not really working on any single project right now, there wasn't much point in me inventing a character, or rehashing an old one.

However, in the spirit of writing every day and taking a close look at character, I decided to make today's jumble of words reflect the inner thought of a man who had experienced much loss.

I'm not sure 'enjoyment' is to be had, but perhaps some level of appreciation.

I woke up at 6am, like I do every morning. I had become so used to it that I didn’t even need an alarm clock. Out of habit, I stumbled out of bed and into the bathroom.

I soon found myself filling the coffee maker, without really remembering walking down stairs. The bread was already in the toaster.

Then it hit me like a ton of bricks.

I had no where to go.

After 37 years at the plant, after devoted service, never questioning, never stepping out of line… it was all gone.

My job at the plant had cost me my health, my wife and my family.

I had done every job they had asked of me, every overtime and weekend shift, every chemical spill clean-up, every stinking thing they ask of me. Now, after all I’d given to them, they took everything I had.

The plant’s owners decide one day, that my services are no longer needed.

I arrive early yesterday morning and there’s a note on my locker to see the shift manager.

He apologized, but handed me a final check. 

6 weeks. 

Two that were owed to me, two more for accumulated vacation and two weeks severance.

Thanks very much.

The toaster popped the toast, with the slight smell of burning.

All I can do is stand staring at the coffee pot, now over flowering.

I collapse into a chair, slightly stunned.

My hard work, devotion and my loyalty had earned me nothing.

Not a retirement dream come true, not even a fancy retirement party.

All of my over time hours had lost me what little social life I had. Living so close to the plan, always on call. Both I and my wife suffered from severe health issues. My children don’t visit, having blamed me for their mother’s demise.

I’m alone and useless, unwanted.

Photographs of happier days line the shelves and mantle, small reminders of the life that has passed me by.

The boys from work must be starting to arrive at the gates now, bright and ready to get started. I can almost hear their voices, laughing, joking, telling tales of what they’ve done, or plan to do.

I wonder if they even realize I’m not there.

I wonder if they miss me.

I wonder.

The overflowed coffee bubbles away on the hotplate beneath the coffee pot. The toast, still waiting to be plucked up, now cold and hard.

And I am old and unwanted.

Ignoring the mess in the kitchen, I quietly, sombrely, climb the stairs, back to my bedroom.

Back to the comfort of the covers.

Back to the darkness of sleep.

Rest.

Dream.

Alone.

I’ve nothing else to do.

It wasn't fun to write, but it picked at a few sore spots and made me dig deep.
Perhaps, if for that reason alone, it was worth the effort.

Cheers,
and as always, feel free to comment.

October 25th & 26th, 2014

This post will be short and may seem like a cop-out, but rest assured, I've been busy writing.
On midnight, Firday night, I was assigned my parameters for the 2014  NYCMidnight Short Screenplay Challenge.
To cut to the chase:

Genre:  Crime Caper Location:  A blimp Object:  A water balloon

The challenge: 5 page screenplay in 48 hours with parameters assigned.
It was a tough one, but I managed to get something together that isn't horrible.
I've uploaded it to the competition, but am not supposed to share it until I receive confirmation back from the contest.

That being said - here are a few links to some of my previous entries:

My first ever entry:
Comedy, Family Vacation, A Pharmacist.
  Catalyst -12 page script.

One of my more recent entries:
Drama, A Photographer's Studio, A Belt.
  Kevin - 5 page script.

Hope you enjoy the reads.

Cheers and please feel free to comment.

Oct 24th, 2014

Tonight (midnight) marks the beginning of the NYCM short screenplay challenge.
I'll receive a Genre, Location and Object and will have 48 hours to write a 5 page screenplay.

I am not supposed to post what I've written until after submissions have been accepted and verified.
I'll be working primarily on that for my writing this weekend.

But here's Friday's jumble of words.

The only thing I could say was “ok”, but it wasn’t ok, none of it was ok.

When they told me that I could never go home, never see my family or my friends again, that I would be given a new identity and a new life, all I could say was “ok”.

But it didn’t matter what I said.

My life was in danger, and no matter what I did, it always would be.

If I left town, I could at least, save my family and friends from also being targets.

I could start again, new town, new work, new friend, new life.

I didn’t ask for this.

I didn’t want this.

I’ll never really be ok with any of this.

But I suppose I’m the lucky one.

I saw a murder, a gang hit. I was the face of the man clear as day, I heard his name and I heard his voice.  I saw his buddy and the other guys in the car, waiting.

I saw them all, and I know they saw me.

They gunned down a man.

The owner of a small grocery story.

He wasn’t a rich man, or a powerful man, just a man.

Must a man trying to work, trying to make a life, trying to provide for his family.

He was a nice man, always had a smile and always had something nice to say.

And now he’s dead.

Shot by some punk kid.

And now his wife will never see him again, never hold him, never kiss him again.

His young children will grow up without a father.

It’s a terrible thing.

And I saw it all unfold in front of me.

Why thing didn’t just kill me too, I can’t be sure.

I know they would now, if they got half a chance.

So I gave my statement to the police,

They’ll keep me some place safe until the trial, I guess

and I’ll never see my family again…

Hope you enjoyed.
Feel free to comment. :)

Oct 23, 2014

Gotta write.. gotta write... every day, gotta write

I just started writing and this is what got written...

The more I think about it, the more I know I was right.

Besides that, I really had no choice. I suppose I did, but no other choice that made any real sense,

Either way, the punishment should fit the crime…

It all began on a simple walk to school. I’d done it hundreds of times before. And I was lugging my backpack with me. But them I heard this little <meow> and, well, I had to stop and see.

Sure enough, there was a teeny, tiny little kitten, all alone by the side of the path. So cute. Then I heard another little noise, so I searched a little more. Sure enough, I found more kittens. Five in all, an the momma cat.  She looked worn out and skinny, desperate for help.

My heart broke.

So really, I ask, what other choice did I have?

I gathered the kittens together and got to work.

First, I emptied by backpack of its contents, books, homework, gym cloths and my lunch.  I bundled the kittens together in y gym cloths and tucked them gently back into he bag. I tore part my lunch, looking for something the momma cat would like. Luckily, that day, I had a tuna fish sandwich. Which was lucky for both momma kitty and me.

Not that I don’t like tuna fish, I just don’t like making my own lunch, so the sandwich was not really a gourmet creation, no mayo, no butter, just tuna fish right out of the can, smooshed between two slices of bread.

Momma kitty was pretty hesitant, but had been watching me handle her kittens with care.  She took the first morsel with reluctance, but soon was comfortable eating every single bit I offered.

It was at his moment that it began to rain. Not heavily… at first.

I tucked momma kitty in the knapsack, along with her kittens, then bundled my text books and homework in my lunch back.

I tried my best to keep everything dry and clean, but it was difficult to haul the squirming mass of cuteness and the over stuffed back of books.

Again, I ask: what real choice did I have?

I stashed the bag of equations and theories and paragraph after paragraph of sentence structure under the nearest bush. I made note of the bush for later retrieval and hurried on to school with the litter of wiggly kitties.

I was late.

Of course I was late.

And I was wet.

It was raining, so of course I was wet.

My teacher said I caused distractions.

I had 5 kittens and their momma in desperate need of help.

Anyone with a heart was going to take notice, I had no control over that.

I was sent to the office, kittens and all.

The office staff was even distracted by the cuteness.

Anyway, they told me I was suspended and called my Mom. Boy oh boy, she was none-to-happy when she got there to pick me up.

I was even given a ‘D’ for the missing homework.

But ya know what, maybe it’s was all for the best.  I had the rest of the week to make sure that Momma and her kittens were ok.

On our way home, we stopped off at the bush and I collected the slightly damp, but none the worse for wear textbooks and home work. Mom even admitted to me that she was happy to escape the drama and politics at work for a day to spend time with me and our newest family members.

Hope you enjoyed and please feel free to comment or share.

Cheers.