Well, I am a Christian with a diverse array of interests... Part time science fiction writer (never professionally published), Arsenal FC (BPL Soccer), Shadowrun (a cyberpunk - fantasy RPG).
where a picture paints 140 characters, or even fewer.
The old pictures always made him look two dimensional. Benjamin had nothing on him. Better to not age at all, let alone backwards.
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Your Turn!
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About Microfiction Monday
Microfiction means the shortest of short stories. Think Aesop's fables, comic strips, or even jokes: complete stories that can be told in under a minute. For this game, the limit is a tweetable 140 characters or fewer.
Hate counting letters and spaces? Try Design 215's character counter, which will count for you as you type. Microsoft Word will count for you too, of course, as part of its word count feature under the 'Review' tab.
Photos will be from my own archives; illustrations are from Dover Publications' free clipart sample newsletter.
And finally, why 140? A whole new fiction market has arisen via mobile phone texting and Twitter, who limits 'tweets' to 140 characters including spaces and punctuation. It's fast, it's fiction, it's fun.
I joined this meme thread from a fellow parent dealing with an Autistic child: Susan @ Stony River: a writing life
where a picture paints 140 characters, or even fewer.
She couldn't bear the thought of poor Jenny not being able to buy that pretty ribbon. "With this shilling, perhaps she will have it to put in her beautiful hair."
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Your Turn!
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About Microfiction Monday
Microfiction means the shortest of short stories. Think Aesop's fables, comic strips, or even jokes: complete stories that can be told in under a minute. For this game, the limit is a tweetable 140 characters or fewer.
Hate counting letters and spaces? Try Design 215's character counter, which will count for you as you type. Microsoft Word will count for you too, of course, as part of its word count feature under the 'Review' tab.
Photos will be from my own archives; illustrations are from Dover Publications' free clipart sample newsletter.
And finally, why 140? A whole new fiction market has arisen via mobile phone texting and Twitter, who limits 'tweets' to 140 characters including spaces and punctuation. It's fast, it's fiction, it's fun.
I joined this meme thread from a fellow parent dealing with an Autistic child: Susan @ Stony River: a writing life
where a picture paints 140 characters, or even fewer.
Tom was lost in thought. Always been like that. His mind not on what was in front of him, always one valley over. Besides, all of the ladies here were accounted for.
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Your Turn!
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About Microfiction Monday
Microfiction means the shortest of short stories. Think Aesop's fables, comic strips, or even jokes: complete stories that can be told in under a minute. For this game, the limit is a tweetable 140 characters or fewer.
Hate counting letters and spaces? Try Design 215's character counter, which will count for you as you type. Microsoft Word will count for you too, of course, as part of its word count feature under the 'Review' tab.
Photos will be from my own archives; illustrations are from Dover Publications' free clipart sample newsletter.
And finally, why 140? A whole new fiction market has arisen via mobile phone texting and Twitter, who limits 'tweets' to 140 characters including spaces and punctuation. It's fast, it's fiction, it's fun.
I joined this meme thread from a fellow parent dealing with an Autistic child: Susan @ Stony River: a writing life
Hello and welcome to my rambling Music Monday and miscelanities. I usually have a Microfiction Monday contribution on Monday's, but i dropped the ball on that one. I also want to get back on the horse with regular Music Monday postings... so, that will be posted below. But, with my wanting to get something, anything, posted again... i am of course throwing several offerings in all at once. I am told that these kinds of posts are enjoyable... i will take the word of those who have left comments and feedback as... i don't see how, but... OK.
Oh, and since i will probably not post this until Thursday i should probably mention that "The Way of Walking with Christ" blog series has completed with last weeks post. I have placed a link to a single post with all entries on my "Blog entries with a samurai theme" list to the right. Or you can just click on the link i cleverly inserted here with the title.
This past Sunday i went over to my friend MOUSE's house (lol, pun not intended) for the Super Bowl. He is a huge Pittsburgh Steelers fan. It was nice to be invited out, and while his Steelers didn't win the big game, he put on quite a spread. Not only is he a football fan, and fond of tailgating... he is a Chef to boot. Win-Win for team samurai Sunday night. 8) One good thing for the Panthers right now... they are now officially undefeated once more, and they are #1! #1 on draft day that is. Let's see how the labor negotiations go between the owners and the players. The more i think about it... the more i am on the player's side when it comes to the number of games played in a season. Personally, i think 18 games are too many. Player's bodies have a hard enough time making it through a 16 game schedule now, and the "concession" to add two (or is it three) more roster slots... not enough. I feel that a minimum of five additional roster spots would be needed to help teams get through all of the inevitable injuries that would arise. I like the idea of the rookie salary caps. I like the idea of more money being set aside for players in the older ages to help with head injuries and other lingering issues. Now, i understand that there are only so many M&M's in the jar out there, and how they all get divided up is pretty tricky, but... i am leaning towards agreeing with a lot of the players issues. Still, it is hard to feel sorry for millionaires who get to play a game for a living - even if it is only for a few years (most likely), all the while the bulk of the fans - the ones who turn on the TV's. who pay the hard earned money to make it to the games, buy the products such as jerseys and hats, who are hurting to make ends meet. Just because there are some who can dish out hundred's of dollars on a Sunday to see their favorite team play does not mean that we all can. Well, anyway... the Panthers are undefeated once more, and they are #1! Go Panthers!
Anyone who frequents this blog knows i am a fanboy of C.J. Mahaney, so it would only be natural for me to follow his blog. Now, he is not the only contributor to the blog, but he does indeed contribute from time to time... ok... getting off track here... anyway, last Friday's blog was something i had pondered from time to time, but never really sunk my teeth into it. It was titled "When Humility is Pride", and for some reason the title both caught me off guard, and glad to see as i know CJ has been accused of being artificially modest, that his humbleness is an act. Now, one thing i know from having lived with my mother long enough, anyone can faux whatever they want, and they might be able to fool not just themselves, but others too. The only impartial judge of the heart is God, but if you can be honest with yourself enough... it is good to perform self evaluations. Anyway, this blog post really had me chewing and thinking and i thought it would be good to share. Oh, and this is being added late, but... CJ has also been doing a great series on Criticism. This is an area i REALLY struggle in, and i am not in any sort of public ministry (well, other than this blog... if it can be considered a ministry). Anyway, i know that for me i can be very prideful, and when everyone does not agree with me, or think that i am doing things in the most proficient manner... i tend to take exception and want to react before i really listen and evaluate. I highly recommend this series as well.
Since last summer i have really been struggling to "pick up the pen" and get back to writing. TULIP has told me that she believes this is one manifestation of my depression (among other things of course). I am inclined to agree. When i am down i really don't feel like creating anything. I end up just trying to keep my head above water. When i finally start to claw my way out of it, and i get my fingers going once more... i do find an enjoyment of creating a story. Well, i have been writing again... and that is a good thing. I have a few chapters that needed to get posted over on my short story blog, Samurai's Yarns. While i am being encouraged to "just keep writing" and "go back and edit later", i am not willing to post them until i have a chance to review and edit at least once before posting. I am about 3,700 words into the next phase of the tale, with a rough estimate of another similar amount to go before this chapter is a wrap. I also have inklings on the next phase too... i've just not fleshed them out any yet.
OK, finally this was supposed to be my "Music Monday offering this week.
Bring springs of life into the wells that have been run dry
Rise up in this city
Gather in this light
Fall down on your people
Your glory and your life
Rain
Lord we thirst for water
Rain
We are desert Land
Rain
On your sons and daughters
Rain
Bring your rain again
Speak dreams into this water
And vision to this land
That oceans be divided
And bring forth life again
Rise up in this city
Gather in this light
Fall down on your people
Your glory and your life
CHORUS x 2
Let the tide roll in
Washing over our lives
Let your water fall again
Bring rivers in this wasteland
Clouds into the sky
CHORUS x 2
Bring your rain again
Let your water fall down
Bring your rain again now
(repeat)
This song was speaking to me this week. In the book of John we find the account of Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman:
A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again,but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.[2]The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.” (John 4:7-15, ESV)
I have always related to the imagery rain and being "thirsty" for God. When we feel distant from God, and even before we confess Christ as our Lord, the deep desire of the need for that relationship... the need of a Savior, the need of fellowship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, can most be thought of... akin to if you will, a thirst. Not just a my-mouth-is-dry thirst, but a thorough sense of relief-from-dehydration-as-every-cell-in-my-body-is-rehydrated kind of thirst. Anyway... there are times in my walk where... i feel so very, very thirsty for the things of God, and when one gets a taste... it satiates like nothing else can. Well, with my struggles with depression it feels like a vast Mohave Dessert kind of need. The imagery of this song to me is off a rain storm in a dessert... of God's Spirit raining down and filling not just me, but others around (and through?) me. There is a reason scientists look for water on other planets... without it (as far as we understand the universe presently) life is not possible. The same is true for my walk with Christ... i NEED his Spirit to rain, and to reign. Especially as i try and navigate this valley known as depression.
where a picture paints 140 characters, or even fewer.
Long John couldn't believe his eyes. He turned to his good friend Gorton, "I think we've found the solution to Charlie's problem!".
"Aye, I always thought he smelled fishy."
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Your Turn!
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About Microfiction Monday
Microfiction means the shortest of short stories. Think Aesop's fables, comic strips, or even jokes: complete stories that can be told in under a minute. For this game, the limit is a tweetable 140 characters or fewer.
Hate counting letters and spaces? Try Design 215's character counter, which will count for you as you type. Microsoft Word will count for you too, of course, as part of its word count feature under the 'Review' tab.
Photos will be from my own archives; illustrations are from Dover Publications' free clipart sample newsletter.
And finally, why 140? A whole new fiction market has arisen via mobile phone texting and Twitter, who limits 'tweets' to 140 characters including spaces and punctuation. It's fast, it's fiction, it's fun.
I joined this meme thread from a fellow parent dealing with an Autistic child: Susan @ Stony River: a writing life
where a picture paints 140 characters, or even fewer.
The boat is supposed to be here. He promised.
I dunno David, the fog is pretty thick.
Well, he promised. You can go if you want to, but I'm stayin'.
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Your Turn!
*
About Microfiction Monday
Microfiction means the shortest of short stories. Think Aesop's fables, comic strips, or even jokes: complete stories that can be told in under a minute. For this game, the limit is a tweetable 140 characters or fewer.
Hate counting letters and spaces? Try Design 215's character counter, which will count for you as you type. Microsoft Word will count for you too, of course, as part of its word count feature under the 'Review' tab.
Photos will be from my own archives; illustrations are from Dover Publications' free clipart sample newsletter.
And finally, why 140? A whole new fiction market has arisen via mobile phone texting and Twitter, who limits 'tweets' to 140 characters including spaces and punctuation. It's fast, it's fiction, it's fun.
I joined this meme thread from a fellow parent dealing with an Autistic child: Susan @ Stony River: a writing life
where a picture paints 140 characters, or even fewer.
Look at you! You are too fat to even get up and defend your honor!
And you are so unskilled a swordsman, as to be unable to even cut through this parasol.
"BANG!"
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Your Turn!
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About Microfiction Monday
Microfiction means the shortest of short stories. Think Aesop's fables, comic strips, or even jokes: complete stories that can be told in under a minute. For this game, the limit is a tweetable 140 characters or fewer.
Hate counting letters and spaces? Try Design 215's character counter, which will count for you as you type. Microsoft Word will count for you too, of course, as part of its word count feature under the 'Review' tab.
Photos will be from my own archives; illustrations are from Dover Publications' free clipart sample newsletter.
And finally, why 140? A whole new fiction market has arisen via mobile phone texting and Twitter, who limits 'tweets' to 140 characters including spaces and punctuation. It's fast, it's fiction, it's fun.
I joined this meme thread from a fellow parent dealing with an Autistic child: Susan @ Stony River: a writing life
where a picture paints 140 characters, or even fewer.
And to think, our parents said it would never work. Our cultures too different, our personalities too conflicting. We showed them! Say, where are we going? Fred?
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Your Turn!
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About Microfiction Monday
Microfiction means the shortest of short stories. Think Aesop's fables, comic strips, or even jokes: complete stories that can be told in under a minute. For this game, the limit is a tweetable 140 characters or fewer.
Hate counting letters and spaces? Try Design 215's character counter, which will count for you as you type. Microsoft Word will count for you too, of course, as part of its word count feature under the 'Review' tab.
Photos will be from my own archives; illustrations are from Dover Publications' free clipart sample newsletter.
And finally, why 140? A whole new fiction market has arisen via mobile phone texting and Twitter, who limits 'tweets' to 140 characters including spaces and punctuation. It's fast, it's fiction, it's fun.
I joined this meme thread from a fellow parent dealing with an Autistic child: Susan @ Stony River: a writing life
Susan, over at Stony River, has a weekly writing challenge called Microfiction Monday. She provides a picture and you provide a story to go with it in 140 characters or less. It's a lot of fun, and a little bit challenging. I had mine all typed up and ready to go for this week, but i have no idea where it got off to... so, here it is for this week... a day late, and a dollar short...
Yes, we are doing cheese now... no sir, it does not contain any petro... yes sir, it has been tested by the. F.. I'm sure if you just... *sigh*, ok, thank you for your time.
I "met" Susan through her blog, or she "found" me through mine... i can't remember. What we have in common, other than enjoying to write (although she is MUCH more serious, and better, than i am), we both have Autistic children. I enjoy reading her material, and she also has a lot of great links to help aspiring writers. Both with tips, but also submission leads. If you enjoy writing, i highly encourage you to check out her blog at Stony River: A Writing Life.
Hoozah! The 2010 regular NFL season is finally over for the Carolina Panthers. Normally, i would be disappointed that it was over before a single game of the playoffs have been played, but this was a particularly hard season to muscle through as a fan. At 2-14 there were very few highlights to enjoy. I thought it was good for the Panthers organization to finally make it official that Coach Fox would not be returning. It's something that has been speculated for over a year now. Still, i think it is a shame. Coach Fox has literally been the best coach the Panthers have ever had, and the only one with greater than .500 record. He will be missed, at least by me. I have no idea what the future holds for the NFL right now, but with everything in limbo... i do not have very high hopes for the 2011 football season either. I just hope John Kasay is still kicking the ball through the uprights for them. At least for another season or two, but definitely for as long as God continues to give him strength. (A nice article with the same sentiments over at the Charlotte Observer: What Does Kasay's future hold?)The Panthers do have the #1 draft pick in April, and everyone seems to think that Andrew Luck is the real deal... but how many times have i heard that before. Only God knows for sure. But, i admit... the writers have me excited about the possibility.
Speaking of the Panthers... i have been wanting to make a football fan pilgrimage to Charlotte since they started playing in 1995, but i've always allowed other life priorities to bump my dream to the back burner. This year, with my beloved's blessing,i hope to make a game (assuming there is a season in 2011... if not 2011, then 2012) next year. At first i made an arbitrary decision to go to whichever game they wear their alternate blue jerseys... but now i see they will be playing the Washington Redskins in Charlotte... my father has been literally a lifelong Washington Redskins fan... so... i think i will try and take him with me. At least that is the plan as of 3-January-2011. We shall see.
2011 kind of limped on in for me this year. I was broadsided with some kind of serious cold/bronchitis/flu deal. Lots of fatigue, lots of congestion, and now some serious head congestion. First time i ever had chest congestion move up into the head. it is usually in reverse. Mucinex and Alka-Seltzer Cold are my best buddies right now. Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, Oh what a relief it is, fast, FAST, FAST!
My oldest, LONG-SHANKS, recently experienced a loss of a schoolmate. It was not someone he was close with, but he did know of him and he knew of my son. DS1 is closer with the other student who was in the care with this young man. As a parent, i struggle a lot with how to best lead each of my children. DS1 is not very similar to DS2, not is he very similar to my DD3 (being a male versus female aside). Each child is unique and requires unique approaches, but even so... i was (and still am) not really sure what to say. I did go with him to a small get together with their teammates. I have related with him that while i do not know everything he is thinking, or going through, i did experience something similar when a cousin with whom i was somewhat close to, was murdered (i was a little older than my son is now). Teens today are different than when i was one... and they will be different if/when my son has a teenager... but... by God's grace, i can only hope i am help shape him into a man of God, who is a true Christian. Life is hard, life is not fair, but God is always there... and i just pray that he sees this... and that the family of this young man, who tragically has to deal with this loss, my feel some of God's grace and peace... i know i would never be able to survive such a loss without it.
I know this is sort of a down point to wrap up with... but if life has taught me one thing... it is to really do the best you can to balance all things as best you can (Ecclesiastes 3)... be open to the Holy Spirit and God's grace (both for others AND yourself)... and really do NOT take a single day of your life for granted. We are not guaranteed a tomorrow, and you never know when either someone else's (or even your own) tomorrow is going to be canceled. Never miss an opportunity to stop and smell the roses or tell someone you love them (and this begins with God).
where a picture paints 140 characters, or even fewer.
"Joe, I'm tellin' ya, this is where they wanted us to wait. Somethin' about perchin' in a Pear Tree or some such."
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Your Turn!
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About Microfiction Monday
Microfiction means the shortest of short stories. Think Aesop's fables, comic strips, or even jokes: complete stories that can be told in under a minute. For this game, the limit is a tweetable 140 characters or fewer.
Hate counting letters and spaces? Try Design 215's character counter, which will count for you as you type. Microsoft Word will count for you too, of course, as part of its word count feature under the 'Review' tab.
Photos will be from my own archives; illustrations are from Dover Publications' free clipart sample newsletter.
And finally, why 140? A whole new fiction market has arisen via mobile phone texting and Twitter, who limits 'tweets' to 140 characters including spaces and punctuation. It's fast, it's fiction, it's fun.
I joined this meme thread from a fellow parent dealing with an Autistic child: Susan @ Stony River: a writing life
where a picture paints 140 characters, or even fewer.
"Did you tell them about the bread crumbs?" Hansel asked?
Gretel look perplexed , "I thought you did."
They walked on in silence, the two waifs lingering behind.
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Your Turn!
*
About Microfiction Monday
Microfiction means the shortest of short stories. Think Aesop's fables, comic strips, or even jokes: complete stories that can be told in under a minute. For this game, the limit is a tweetable 140 characters or fewer.
Hate counting letters and spaces? Try Design 215's character counter, which will count for you as you type. Microsoft Word will count for you too, of course, as part of its word count feature under the 'Review' tab.
Photos will be from my own archives; illustrations are from Dover Publications' free clipart sample newsletter.
And finally, why 140? A whole new fiction market has arisen via mobile phone texting and Twitter, who limits 'tweets' to 140 characters including spaces and punctuation. It's fast, it's fiction, it's fun.
I joined this meme thread from a fellow parent dealing with an Autistic child: Susan @ Stony River: a writing life
20101206
Welcome to Microfiction Monday,
where a picture paints 140 characters, or even fewer.
"It is appointed unto man..." the man solemnly thought. "Still, it's nice to finally find my ancestors resting place." With that he began cleaning the old place up.
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Your Turn!
*
About Microfiction Monday
Microfiction means the shortest of short stories. Think Aesop's fables, comic strips, or even jokes: complete stories that can be told in under a minute. For this game, the limit is a tweetable 140 characters or fewer.
Hate counting letters and spaces? Try Design 215's character counter, which will count for you as you type. Microsoft Word will count for you too, of course, as part of its word count feature under the 'Review' tab.
Photos will be from my own archives; illustrations are from Dover Publications' free clipart sample newsletter.
And finally, why 140? A whole new fiction market has arisen via mobile phone texting and Twitter, who limits 'tweets' to 140 characters including spaces and punctuation. It's fast, it's fiction, it's fun.
I joined this meme thread from a fellow parent dealing with an Autistic child: Susan @ Stony River: a writing life
