tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37502236158440749982023-11-15T23:08:58.996-08:00Bill's Burden!By day I'm a access control specialist . That pays the bills. Other than that I'm a first time writer who has an epic story to tell, its all about delivering a message! Sorry I mean that's the story plot :)Bill483098http://www.blogger.com/profile/08169926752590579104noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750223615844074998.post-13172787153309567852012-10-23T16:17:00.000-07:002012-10-23T16:17:09.948-07:00Well I'm back to writing again, so Bill's Burden gets some much needed attention! Months and months of stalling have created a writer who is not a writer. Time to inject some much needed muse into my story, hopefully I can sustain this. Lots of story details running around in my head. Character details have fleshed out and I'm more comfortable with where the story is going now. Emily must be turned loose! More details to come. Plan to post regularly from now on.<br />
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<br /> Bill483098http://www.blogger.com/profile/08169926752590579104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750223615844074998.post-6864151649960274462011-12-24T11:54:00.000-08:002011-12-24T11:54:14.323-08:00Christmas time !I wanted to take a few minutes and wish all of my friends a happy holiday. I live a blessed life full of friends who love me for who I am. Recognizing this fact I try to pass this on every chance I get. The idea that people can enhance each others lives with love escaped me for many years. Things have changed in my life today and for that I am truly grateful !<br />
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Not long ago I went through a period of unresolved grief over my mothers death. A good friend shared words of wisdom with me when he said that even though my mother had moved on I had a great opportunity to show her love every day. It would be in the form of showing love to women of her age. Open the door and smile, take time to listen to what may be very important to them. Simply put, take time to acknowledge the elderly.<br />
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Sometimes life seems nothing more than a mad dash to nothing. Today I pause to smell the roses and look for the love. I hope you will do the same. <br />
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Merry Christmas all <br />
BillBill483098http://www.blogger.com/profile/08169926752590579104noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750223615844074998.post-79041986679198029152011-08-21T17:49:00.000-07:002011-08-21T18:20:28.222-07:00The traveling ring !How many of you believe in ghosts, have you ever seen something that you couldn't explain that led you to think that they might exist ?<br />
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Here is my story for what it is worth.<br />
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Several nights ago while relaxing at the casa, I experienced something I couldn't explain. Mind you tall tales are not my idea of fun. <br />
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My dog Jack was outside chasing the neighbors cats, so that means only me in the house.<br />
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Performing my normal routine of wasting time on Facebook, I'm gazing at my monitor transfixed by all of the fascinating comments from my friends !<br />
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Before we go any further I must back up and give you some details.<br />
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Several months ago I purchased a silver ring from a jewelry store in the area. Inscribed with The Song of Solomon running around the surface, I felt I had purchased an attractive ring. Concerned about damaging the ring while working, I got into the habit of leaving the ring off during the day. Wearing it only at night or the weekend.<br />
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Usually the ring found itself on the counter top in the bathroom, undisturbed and motionless or so I believed !<br />
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Back to the computer and Facebook. <br />
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While intently gazing at the monitor I heard a metallic sound behind me as if something were dropped on the floor. Turning to look, I gazed in shock as I saw my ring roll across the floor and come to rest about five feet from the door.<br />
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Now folks I have never experienced a so called phenomenon . Typical response, the hair on my neck stands up! I immediately assume someone is playing pranks on me. Problem is nobody else is in the house!<br />
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How did the ring get from the bathroom to the office. More or less ten feet distance between the two rooms. <br />
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Instinctively I reached down and picked up the ring and put it on. Something inside me was saying I should keep it on. Since that night I have not removed it. Afraid that it might be thrown at me!<br />
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Once again an incident occurs in my residence. Many discussions have taken place concerning the house and who my guest might be. I don't feel any negative vibes or am I uncomfortable. <br />
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I have come to believe that there are many things that will occur in my life that I will not be able to explain.<br />
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I've always enjoyed ghost stories but I never figured one would involve me directly! Now that's my story and I'm stickin to it. More fuel for my muse I think! Until next time sports fans, adios.<br />
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Bill483098http://www.blogger.com/profile/08169926752590579104noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750223615844074998.post-29069427563182737142011-07-31T14:18:00.000-07:002011-07-31T15:56:01.179-07:00Limits of ProcrastinationHello my fellow bloggers. It seems that I have exhausted reasons why I don't have time to blog. This is a text to see if I can make it through at least one paragraph without hitting the delete button ! Several days ago while setting around twiddling my thumbs for several hours, contemplating how how busy I was, I came to the conclusion that I was lazy. <br />
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The slow return to reality. Always able to find excuses to avoid what I know is right. The following is a sample of the things that run through my head !<br />
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I've gotten by just fine without it. Very frustrated! <br />
It hasn't affected my muse, although I haven't written more than 3k in the last month. Oops!<br />
I'm staying connected to my social media network, I press the like button alot!<br />
I check my twitter followers count frequently, why are they following a dead beat! <br />
And last but not least, the date of my last blog post will not change even though I look at it every day!<br />
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Thank God that my work ethic bled over into my interest in writing. Looks like I made it through the barrier of sloth. Now all I have to do is come up with a topic for tomorrows blog right! Peace my peeps !Bill483098http://www.blogger.com/profile/08169926752590579104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750223615844074998.post-12082938223914731862011-06-15T05:25:00.000-07:002011-06-15T05:28:46.310-07:00Paying the billsSummertime is always a busy part of the year for me work wise. I mentioned to a friend yesterday, that I really would like to be able to quit working and do nothing but write. Realistically I see problems with this idea. First I consider the light bill, next comes the gas bill. See where I'm going with this! Car payments, the list goes on and on. The brutal truth of the matter slaps me in the face. So once again I suit up and chase the almighty dollar, so I can pay my bills.<br />
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Boo hoo!<br />
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Actually in all seriousness, I feel I have been set in the exact place, at the exact time in my life, to be able to live this dream that's unfolding.Most people work under the constraints of schedules that prevent them from enjoying the freedom to pursue creative activities. I am truly blessed upon closer scrutiny.<br />
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So, having reaffirmed this reality, I thank the man up stairs for my blessings. I really would like to say more but work calls. Good thing the story in my head won't go away :) Adios!Bill483098http://www.blogger.com/profile/08169926752590579104noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750223615844074998.post-13626078372594780842011-06-08T05:51:00.000-07:002011-06-08T05:51:35.261-07:00ProcrastinationSpending too much time on Facebook, daydreaming about being a writer. Watching too much tv, spending too much time on Twitter, playing too many video game. Time to buckle down and do what I set out to do, write ! Just trying to be accountable to myself. So when I click on my blog to see if anyone new is following, I see this :) Have a great day Bill, your being watched !Bill483098http://www.blogger.com/profile/08169926752590579104noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750223615844074998.post-6571215116450459532011-05-30T20:34:00.000-07:002011-06-05T07:38:09.059-07:00Book Jacket designI finally made contact with a media specialty company, concerning my book jacket design. Meeting is scheduled for sometime this week. Very excited about this. Primary reason for the decision to put the wagon before the horse, considering I'm writing the first draft is, the visual stimulation my imagination will receive.I need all the help I can get.<br />
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Having discussed this idea with published writer friends, I was made aware of the potential motivation that could be derived . Having an expanded photo copy of my book cover, hanging behind my computer on the wall, is in my eyes, nothing more than a tool. It couldn't do anything but help, considering the image of the cover shows it self to me constantly. Visualizations trigger plot details that are startling to me, mind you I'm new at this. And besides I think it would be cool, that's the nerd talking.<br />
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Anything to stimulate the imagination, right ?<br />
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It was very exciting to talk to my contact at the media company handling the design. I can see I will need to keep my composure when we meet, I'm easily persuaded to spend money! All in all it feels like a good thing, one that will pay dividends in the future. My final thoughts about the issue are, where did this story come from and why won't it leave me alone ! Well, actually, I think I can deal with it.Bill483098http://www.blogger.com/profile/08169926752590579104noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750223615844074998.post-17794781884136063752011-05-29T13:58:00.000-07:002011-05-29T22:41:51.890-07:00Thoughts on heroes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCaDlY6bCG6HChTUgsYMcqPmiClL7zmi_KGjpdp_-MF43_nTAS78ydfKb0W0RTerVuLK59Q3RXG3jhgEP5degViIHDVPmYAZP_47GHKultu2grC5zwMcxEbnYreFa3K9yyo2bipJh-yw/s1600/NA003983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCaDlY6bCG6HChTUgsYMcqPmiClL7zmi_KGjpdp_-MF43_nTAS78ydfKb0W0RTerVuLK59Q3RXG3jhgEP5degViIHDVPmYAZP_47GHKultu2grC5zwMcxEbnYreFa3K9yyo2bipJh-yw/s320/NA003983.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>My father enlisted in the Marine Corps at the beginning of the second world war. A young man straight out of high school, having been raised in the country, was used to no running water and no electricity. Of eleven siblings he was one of 3 that went off to war. After boot camp in San Diego and tank training at Camp Pendleton he was soon on a ship headed for the south pacific. <br />
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I have watched several documentaries concerning world war II and battles in the south pacific. The extraordinary death toll is stunning to me, the chances of surviving even one battle were slight.Amphibious landings during the pacific campaign suffered huge casualties, the water ran red with the blood of Japanese and American soldiers. Considering the facts, my father's story is uncanny... <br />
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Imagine a young man with little training, confined inside a machine marked as a huge target.The tank moves slow, draws tremendous amounts of anti-tank gun fire and exists under the constant threat of driving over anti-tank land mines. He thinks, in the back of his mind," it will be a miracle if I live through this." <br />
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Fighting was so fierce that at times enemy lines became confused to the point that American naval gunfire fell on top of American marines attempting to advance. My father told the story of one friend who crewed another tank that made it safely through a gauntlet of fire only to take a direct hit from an American destroyer off the coast, his tank totally destroyed.I can see where morale could be compromised by actions like these. Was it chance, luck or fate that a young man from east Texas would live through this?<br />
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Island secured, back to the troop ship for rest and round two, next landing and another island to conquer. All the while the Japanese can see their grip on control of the island chains slipping away. Proud , fierce fighters, the Japanese provided an environment that bordered on suicide. My father once again rolls ashore and waits for death to knock on the door. All around him he see's friends blown to bits, tanks nothing more than burned out coffins.<br />
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Once again he cheats death, once telling us years later that he couldn't understand why all of his friends died and he remained, guilt congealed. Moving from island to island the fleet steadily crushes the entrenched Japanese soldiers. Most fighting to the death, rather than surrender. Finally his journey ended on Iwo Jima , the site of one of the bloodiest battles of the war. Weary and weathered, my father completed his journey through the south pacific alive.After five amphibious landings he lived to tell the tale.<br />
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The odds of survival were astronomical, yet he came home to marry and father five children while becoming the youngest man ever elected a sheriff in the state of Texas. Dying in 1980 of lung cancer as I turned twenty years old, I think of the hardships he went through and accepted at face value.He never questioned the right or wrong.<br />
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I think of my life so far and wonder " do I appreciate what I have and try to love those around me?" I try, and I hope he looks down on me and thinks so too. I hope he knows that I am proud of him and all military men and women who have followed in his footsteps, many paying the ultimate price! I love and miss you dad. Bill483098http://www.blogger.com/profile/08169926752590579104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750223615844074998.post-62025999852304117112011-05-19T18:23:00.000-07:002011-05-21T05:59:54.876-07:00WisteriaYesterday while gazing at a picture a friend, Angela Carlie, had posted showing a wisteria tree in full bloom , with the grape like clusters of blooms hanging down, I was once again reminded of the power of the memory . Every since childhood I remember the vivid images of the wisteria in our front yard. <br />
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I played the game of hide away, only takes one player. Good for a loner and introvert like I was, strangely drawn to this tree standing guard inside our rustic waist high fence next to the gate. Even though bumble bees and honey bees swarmed the tree, I was never afraid to crawl under the hanging blooms. I understand now what they mean when scent therapy is described and the ability of the scent to stimulate brain activity. I can remember vividly the overpowering smell given off by the blooms, strangely calming and comforting to me. It was as if the wisteria was taking away my fear of the bees. Was it more than just a wisteria . <br />
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Now I know this sounds bizarre but even today as in last month, we had a short bloom of wisteria here. Not lasting very long due to the lack of rainfall I'm sure. Driving down a two lane road in the north end of the county I saw the blooms on the side of the road as I approached. Like clockwork the smell registers and I am immediately propelled back to childhood and the fond memories of the springtime hiding sessions and the strange draw that this plant had on me. Was it a feeling of security lacking in my life or was it an intoxicating scent that overwhelmed me. <br />
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My strange fascination with this event has a rational explanation I'm sure, such as simple memories triggered by memories of a smell that I found comforting. Problem is I still carry with me today the vivid imagination that I developed as a child. I consider it a gift, whereas for many years I down played it feeling my friends wouldn't understand and think I was a bit strange! Well alert the media I am a bit strange! The wonderful thing about being friends with fellow writers is they understand the power of the imagination and the fuel sometimes required to jump start it. Another example of a gift that I took for granted for too long. So when I'm in the mood to put down 2500 words i think I will pull up the old wisteria tree, can't hurt huh! Bill483098http://www.blogger.com/profile/08169926752590579104noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750223615844074998.post-1439914659257122482011-05-14T22:51:00.000-07:002011-05-23T19:24:36.116-07:00The wordpress debacleIm easily influenced by the actions of others! Several days ago a system problem developed with <a class="zem_slink" href="http://blogger.com/" rel="homepage" title="Blogger">blogspot</a>'s posting app. This brought a cry of frustration and anger from loyal users of the blogspot app, after discussing it with several of my fellow writers, I was made aware that this was not the first time issues had arisen with this app. A grassroots groundswell of dissent began to develop, I was fascinated and excited about the possibilities to appear as though I knew what would be required to make the transition to wordpress when I became aware that a mass exodus from blogclunk was beginning! I happily participated in discussions about what actions to take concerning the issue, even though in the back of my mind I knew that I was setting myself up for a massive migraine! I anxiously watched the random posts on twitter and facebook, at last it was time for computer man to make his appearance. Quickly running a search for wordpress I waited for a response. Hmm, did iImake a mistake typing the address, surely its not a porn site! Well lets try again and hope for the best. After several attempts I was rewarded with the link, rapidily clicking on the first button I saw I was cast into a screen that struck fear into the very core of my being. I paused, remembering the comments I had made to friends about my decision to take action ! Leaning back in my chair I pondered the consequences of inaction. Would I be perceived as a goof, an imposter, possibly just a person with nothing better to do than bug people going about there every day lives. I began to think blogspot isn't really that bad, I can go without posting blogs. Who cares anyway, right! The battle waged on inside my head, maybe i need to take a break I thought. Lets go see whats happening on facebook, as I scrolled through the comments I began to see issues concerning the app itself, could it be that others were having problems with wordpress also. Hmm maybe an attempt to elicit a silly response from me about some setting that a monkey should be able to deal with. Not falling for that,I proceeded cautiously although deep in my gut i felt that I was over reacting and a starbucks double shot was probably causing paranoia. Returning to wordpress I forged ahead like a man possessed, Bravely entering the appearance tab, unbelievably the first background I came to was the one I instinctivly knew was the best one. Setting the background was the turning point for me.I felt an overwhelming feeling of confidence come over me. I can make setting adjustments like who i am and how to follow later, relatively unimportant issues. But should I post a link on facebook to the blog, what the hell I can always delete it later if someone says Im silly. All in all this has been a great confidence building experience can't you tell or maybe you dont think so. I hope so !Bill483098http://www.blogger.com/profile/08169926752590579104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750223615844074998.post-85855758123107302262011-05-10T18:28:00.000-07:002011-06-10T23:38:34.760-07:00Excerpt : THE MESSAGE Crouching down in the marsh grass, Emily could sense there were hunters coming toward her. The ability to see better at night was what the scientists at Center called mutation. Most of the time she enjoyed the edge it gave her, but tonight it was going to be more than she cared to see. She could smell them before she was able to see them, always the same at night. Concentrating as much as she could, the silhouette's of three hunters emerged from the heavy mist. This was not going to be easy. She estimated they were maybe 50 yards away from her, time for some decisions. She slowly reached over her shoulder and grabbed an arrow from the quiver slung over her back and set in to the bow. Slowly moving forward in a crouching- kind of walk she moved to a position of better visibility. She could now tell the hunters were starting to separate, the one in the middle obviously the leader. She knew instinctively they were going to work her to the middle! They've got a big surprise coming, she thought. <br />
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She could see beyond the one on her right, to the road and the ditch he was using as a reference, good, she could tell he was at a disadvantage in the mist. He is the only thing standing between her and the road. Time to open a gap. Positioning herself steady, she drew back the arrow and took good aim, momentarily looking to see the position of the other two.She would have to move fast! The hunters had stopped, she knew they could smell her, dinner time huh, not tonight ! Checking her aim she let the arrow fly, singing through the air straight to the target. As the arrow sliced through the hunters neck he let out one single wail as he fell forward into the soft marsh mud. Immediately the other two responded. Up and running Emily moved as fast as she could to the road, bobbing and weaving around the quicksand that she knew the location of. Apparently the hunters were too concerned with overtaking her that they didn't notice the pit they ran headlong into. In seconds they were struggling to keep there heads above the mud. Emily stopped and gazed at the apparitions in front of her fighting for life. Not many people have lived to look at them up close, once human now at best semi-human. Rotting creatures that only survived by killing others. Somehow strange satisfaction came over her as the one wailed just before he went under. Clearing the last bit of marsh she came up on the road. Surveying the area, she move along the road towards home. She was thinking already her father was going to have lots to say about her being out this late after dark and the harassing she would take from Jacob and Caleb, her two loving brothers. Although her father had taught everyone well about hunting and killing she knew if she talked about this she would have to set through a long sermon. But as far as she was concerned she did pretty good for a sixteen year old! Not bad if she should say so herself! As she got closer to home once again her mind drifted to the image of this young man looking at her, with a smile that was the most comforting smile she had ever seen. Somehow able to tell that she would soon be placed in a position where she would have to protect him, knowing he would be unable to do it himself!Bill483098http://www.blogger.com/profile/08169926752590579104noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750223615844074998.post-11708507010442243762011-05-07T15:21:00.000-07:002011-05-23T20:58:33.154-07:00The book that did it all!When i was 12 years old, reading was not important part of my life unless it was to help me keep from failing a class. Although I was obsessed with magazine titles such as Creepy and Eerie, monthly publications produced by Warren publishing. Bizarre stories, lots of blood and guts, usually some weird twist involved. Lots of vampires, werewolves, weirdos the like! These magazines took me to a place in my mind that I reveled in. Why that is I don't know, maybe growing up in a one horse town in east Texas, introverted, bullied by others including my older brothers led to a desire to escape reality. I remember waiting anxiously for the next months issues to come out. My mom and dad both worked so this left a lot of time to hide my interests. The pharmacy owner must have thought I had some issues constantly checking for the latest issues! I dreamed of being a vampire or werewolf, anything to give me power to act out my vengeance Also to give me the ability to live a in a world of darkness, my friend. My imagination ran wild, soon I required more complex stories to fuel my desire. Good thing my older brother had a paperback copy of Interview with the Vampire! This was what I like to call the turning point in fascination with horror and the world of phantasy. Definitely a lot of information for a 12 year old to process! Actually a sizable amount of confusion came from reading this book in the midst of adolescence. I'm sure if my parents had known I was reading it they would have freaked! Burned into my psyche was this world of strange creatures that inhabited strange places, right down my alley. After yrs of being self conscious of my fascination with books, movies and anything with that was in direct conflict with reality I decided one day why not embrace it. I rationalized that my brain was a huge hard drive of 38 years of information that can be instantly accessed or so I say , laughs out loud! I decided why not put it down on paper, so here I am writing the draft of a story that I think will be fabulous. I guess in time we shall see, but the fact that I decided to embrace my true interests without regard for what my friends might think is a milestone for me! And surprisingly they have shown tremendous support. Life is a trip sometimes, but can be fun if you let it!Bill483098http://www.blogger.com/profile/08169926752590579104noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750223615844074998.post-30218570207912701032011-05-05T19:46:00.000-07:002011-05-23T21:09:08.399-07:00The comfort of ghosts!Within the last year i moved into the house of friends who had to relocate to Singapore. Hes a mechanical engineer in demand and today you have to go to the money sometimes. I remember yrs ago his wife mentioning a story about a ghost in the house,I didn't think much of it, didn't believe in those kind of things. Years later I move in as a convenience for both parties. They have a friend they can trust to take care of the place for 2 yrs and I have a chance to move from a neighborhood that had become suspect to a quiet place for me and my dog Jack.Soon after moving in I started to get this kind of creepy feeling come over me. Mind you I'm an ex marine. I don't scare easy. At first it was the waking up in the middle of the nite to the door bell ringing, next waking up to hear noises in the room. Actually getting out of bed to turn the lights on! Damn, whats up! Next its the covers thrown over my head while dozing off, actually cursed at it for that one :) At this point I'm thinking is there something fueling my imagination. I blow it off for a bit, next I come home to jacks crate moved for the laundry room to the dining room. No earthquakes! Hmm still in denial, I guess the thing that sold me on the ghost idea was standing in the shower at 800am on Saturday morning and listening to this pretty voice singing from one of the two bedrooms close to the bathroom. This happened on two occasions. One nite playing on Facebook I see my friend in Singapore on chat, so I ask her about the old story she told me about the ghost.I said what kind of things happened that made you feel there was a ghost, she said it was the singing coming from empty bedrooms! No radio, no choir, just an empty room. Now there were other things that happened, so I ask you was this all circumstantial or do I have another roommate besides my dog! Things have slowed down and not much to report and at this point. I think we have become mutually comfortable, who would have thunk it. Comforted by a ghost :)Bill483098http://www.blogger.com/profile/08169926752590579104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750223615844074998.post-68844657085951498662011-04-28T20:35:00.000-07:002011-05-23T21:01:35.020-07:00Drifting in the water!Learning the hard way that writing a book is an interesting concept, but a lot of dedication is required. Currently working a 1st draft of the story. Never thought I would want to write but some life changing events have occurred in the last year that have stimulated my mind. Reading an unnamed popular novel started a story unwinding in my head. I tried to ignore it but it wouldn't go away. Plot ideas clouded my mind, story continued to unfold, so with the advise of friends in the field who said just write, that's what I'm doing. Ive never been as excited about a personal idea as much as I am with this ! Details to follow!Bill483098http://www.blogger.com/profile/08169926752590579104noreply@blogger.com3