tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79036799979911290112024-03-12T21:35:47.815-04:00Will Write for RidesWill Write for Rides promotes writing, motorcycle riding and touring, and things that make life worth exploring. My goal is to someday have my writing pay for all of my riding. Until then, I hope to have a place that I can call "my happy place" where I can share laughs, pictures, strories, motorcycles, and adventures along the way. Maybe it will become your happy place too. I would be honored.Chaco Kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03560381645041646759noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903679997991129011.post-13742425603140802052016-10-11T14:43:00.000-04:002016-10-11T14:52:17.556-04:00T-shirts and Tape<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBVBRL9wxe10FJ9nkEDET2S0bvUywY5qsoXOaK53uSTA7FRJX_GD5q9lDkizkIY2__Q8gfhwUcgW6d1VxZIzPiqmXq4aEvJm_w0zXxZDq9bdQUOnLWKsLHH7HgeLWKHa9r53CI44TvF0/s1600/girlTjeans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBVBRL9wxe10FJ9nkEDET2S0bvUywY5qsoXOaK53uSTA7FRJX_GD5q9lDkizkIY2__Q8gfhwUcgW6d1VxZIzPiqmXq4aEvJm_w0zXxZDq9bdQUOnLWKsLHH7HgeLWKHa9r53CI44TvF0/s320/girlTjeans.jpg" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://morguefile.com/" target="_blank">Photo via Morguefile.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">T-shirts and Tape</span></h4>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">by PR Henriksen</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For most it would be sad when
your life comes down to a junk drawer, poured into a box, that you should've
thrown out months ago. A few memories, and a lot of things that could be
misconstrued or possibly used against you in a court of law. For Marlena it was
good times and business-success-as-usual.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Such is the life of a member of a
t-shirt crew- humble, plain, and invisible, just like anyone wearing a t-shirt
in a room full of people. Almost indistinguishable, except for the color, like
a box of crayons, there were t-shirt specialists of every kind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Black and white, like dice -
they handled casino and gambling issues. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Red, like the coveted Swingline
staplers - office and CEO clean up specialists.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The grey battery and tire crew
that handled anything mechanical, with wheels, that was ground-based. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The infamous green pencil
pushers. If you had money, they could find it, follow it, reallocate it and wreck
a company or a country, all from a single receipt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A tourist book for Brussels, a
coin from Cambodia, a beer bottle from Brasil, her missing right iHeadphone
(wireless, what a pain!), a tennis bracelet taken from Tiffany's which she
secured to her left wrist, and one of those disposable wedding cameras... still
undeveloped. She stepped on it, crushing whatever images were there, so might
remain unseen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Other than the Tiffany's
bracelet, all that remained after cleaning up and throwing out was her favorite
Craftsman, flat-head screwdriver and a fairly new role of "classic
silver" duct tape. Oh the stories those two items could tell, if they
could talk. Good thing they couldn't or she'd have to kiss them, then kill
them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She smiled. A brilliant bit of
her lone wolf nature shone in her sparkling girlish-grin, the one dangerous men
and targets saw just before she took them down. She dropped her towel into the
final "to go" box, pulled her favorite, somewhat faded blue-jeans on,
laced up her black ballistic boots, and donned her chromatically adjustable
t-shirt. The screwdriver found a back pocket spot, next to a burner phone, and
the tape found a temporary spot of honor on her right wrist. Protecting her
burnished-bronze eyes with some Ray Ban tortoise-shelled Wayfarers, she exited
the building and dropped the final box in the dumpster. Whistling as she walked down the street,
towards the park, on her way to handle the handlers in Washington D.C.</span><span style="color: #dbe5f1;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<hr />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This was a Friday Random Word Improve attempt from 9/30/16 at Eight Ladies Writing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here is the word list:</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: "Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px; transition: opacity 0.3s linear; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; color: blue; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: 0.3s linear; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: opacity 0.3s linear; vertical-align: baseline;">Screwdriver book crayon battery</strong></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: "Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px; transition: opacity 0.3s linear; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; color: blue; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: 0.3s linear; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: opacity 0.3s linear; vertical-align: baseline;">Tape pencil headphones bottle</strong></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: "Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px; transition: opacity 0.3s linear; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; color: blue; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: 0.3s linear; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: opacity 0.3s linear; vertical-align: baseline;">Dice stapler tire coin</strong></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: "Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px; transition: opacity 0.3s linear; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; color: blue; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: 0.3s linear; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: opacity 0.3s linear; vertical-align: baseline;">Bracelet t-shirt receipt camera</strong></span></div>
Chaco Kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03560381645041646759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903679997991129011.post-63960113909332611752016-08-19T16:53:00.000-04:002016-08-19T21:42:34.870-04:00A Fine Summer Day<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifK6_y8YiL_E4G_JJBxANwcmJRj2fcvzCbMpGQh0mobA6xn4fR1PwhvldNj-pU50wtTOk2oz0x3Ezg37JLsHxDBBbVDaeJUrirTOYD1TTCK5t4pfWsbLJnBZ47pI0Mw77Ry5Pxvii5T6w/s1600/file000136485401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifK6_y8YiL_E4G_JJBxANwcmJRj2fcvzCbMpGQh0mobA6xn4fR1PwhvldNj-pU50wtTOk2oz0x3Ezg37JLsHxDBBbVDaeJUrirTOYD1TTCK5t4pfWsbLJnBZ47pI0Mw77Ry5Pxvii5T6w/s320/file000136485401.jpg" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://morguefile.com/" target="_blank">MorgueFile</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<h4>
A Fine Summer Day</h4>
<div>
<h2>
By PR Henriksen</h2>
<br>
<br>
I sat drinking me single malt whisky taking wee breaks to exercise me bagpipes whilst the rather short, pointy-eared lad played golf in the glorious, green glen. <br>
<br>
He was wee. And by wee, I mean tiny. Standing straight up, the wee lad came almost up to the base of the ears of a hare, who also stood by to watch him play. The lad was trying to play a round of golf with a rock and a fossilized thistle. He claimed to be some sort of Highland monarch, but when he missed a shot and his wee rock landed with a mighty raucous splash in the loch, he let loose a string of Gaelic insults the likes of which caused the local forest to quake. <br>
<br>
I took another swig, contemplating on if he was one of the Sleagh Maith or their opposite. Upon experiencing his extensive range of perfectly ancient Gaelic invectives, I couldn't exactly call him good. <br>
<br>
"And Monarchs have castles, clans, and properly displayed tartans Lad!"<br>
<br>
He stared at me long enough for me to register the sparkling mischief in his wee bonnie blue eyes, then he turned abruptly and lifted his wee kilt to the heavens. Which exposed me to his eye-stunning white buttocks, and his natural born club and balls.<br>
<br>
I slapped my knee and laughed until my sides were ready to split. He turned back to face me, laughing hisself into a tizzy as well and took a bow. Then looking quite serious, he said, "Play it again Dougal!", and I put me drinking glass down, picked up me pipes, and started again. <br>
<br>
Truly a more magnificent summer day could not've happened by accident, alcohol, nor amiable gnome.</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
****************************</div>
<div>
I hope you're having a great Friday. I have been trying to stay away from social media and work on my Southwest Killer-Thriller which I will begin editing in a few weeks. But I couldn't pass up <a href="https://eightladieswriting.com/2016/08/19/elizabeth-friday-writing-sprints-the-scottish-chronicles/" target="_blank">Eight Ladies "Scottish Chronicles" for Friday writing sprints</a>. My mind apparently needed a shot and a Highland break. Feel free to try your hand at this weeks words and have some fun! :D</div><div><br></div><div>For being Scottish day, the darn random generator should have known that Scotch is from Scotland and Whisky/bourbon is from the USA. Sorry for the confusion. :D<br>
<br>
Today's Random Words:<br>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: "Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.996px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px; transition: opacity 0.3s linear; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: opacity 0.3s linear; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: blue; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: 0.3s linear; vertical-align: baseline;">Whisky loch glen bagpipe</span></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: "Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.996px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px; transition: opacity 0.3s linear; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: opacity 0.3s linear; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: blue; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: 0.3s linear; vertical-align: baseline;">Castle golf highlands green </span></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: "Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.996px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px; transition: opacity 0.3s linear; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: opacity 0.3s linear; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: blue; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: 0.3s linear; vertical-align: baseline;">Monarch rock fossil hare</span></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: "Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.996px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px; transition: opacity 0.3s linear; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: opacity 0.3s linear; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: blue; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: 0.3s linear; vertical-align: baseline;">Gaelic tartan clan forest</span></strong></div>
</div>
<div>
<br></div>
Chaco Kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03560381645041646759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903679997991129011.post-63882610585547200962016-06-03T10:39:00.000-04:002016-06-03T10:39:05.224-04:00Super Puppy Love<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_GxFtGwC9cC0H0P4P8qbut6_bmilCsew6T2TaN4BBD0_mnJF5dyctHuyiD7PMkawbMEF7UEeAdjUPcmHtQ1_XzQxaXomG-EIpceMCZftfMjzsJ6CEpQaBIeJ-P6GaXKge-G_btjgUJc/s1600/DSC_0047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_GxFtGwC9cC0H0P4P8qbut6_bmilCsew6T2TaN4BBD0_mnJF5dyctHuyiD7PMkawbMEF7UEeAdjUPcmHtQ1_XzQxaXomG-EIpceMCZftfMjzsJ6CEpQaBIeJ-P6GaXKge-G_btjgUJc/s320/DSC_0047.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture from <a href="http://morguefile.com/" target="_blank">Morgue File</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Since when did my expensive, custom, titanium-vibranium arrows become puppy playthings? Oh, yeah, since I found out my future felon has this weird thing for robotic furniture, can swat smart cars the length of a football field with just a slight paw tap, and if he gets too much bacon he has fevered-hallucinations that he can fly... just like Underdog. He never bluffs, he just jumps. Who knows, one day he might be right and I'll need to get him a flying permit.<br />
<br />
Oh, and did I mention he can chomp through a cell tower with a casual bite. He loves to bring the poles home. I try to put them back up, but he keeps bringing them home. We've been labeled as the number one menace to communications and technological advancement in the greater southwest. Considering Silicon Valley is kind of in our extended front yard, that might be saying something. I've taken to recycling the un-restorable poles. I built him a cell-tower-pole log cabin out back. I keep getting bills for the poles, so I figure I might as well use them. <br />
<br />
Being titanium-vibranium, my arrows don't seem much affected by his chewing, they just ignore it. I tugged the arrow away from him. He let me. Anyone else trying to play tug with him would lose and arm, not because he would bite them, simply because normal people's arms would just pop off like a Barbie doll's. <br />
<br />
I nocked the slobbery arrow, "Loki, fetch!" I aimed high and long, fired, and off he went. He had a lust for fetch that most dogs could never match. Trying to wear him out sure could wear me out. I sincerely hoped he would bring the arrow back, rather than another cell tower pole. If we got too many more poles, his house would soon be bigger than mine. <br />
<br />
Our relationship isn't perfect, but it is both operatic and poetic. The superhero and the super-dog, saving and menacing the world. Sometimes on the same day. As he bounded back, probably from somewhere near Vegas, arrow in mouth. I thought about how much I loved him and what a lucky girl I was. I can't imagine ever adopting a more perfect pup. <br />
<br />
<br />
Today's random words were: <br />
<br />
Love hallucination puppy bacon <br />
<br />
Operatic lust furniture weird <br />
<br />
Relationship robotic arrow felon <br />
<br />
Fever future bluff plaything<br />
<br />
If you would like to see more Random Word Writings (or try your own), visit <a href="https://eightladieswriting.com/2016/06/03/elizabeth-friday-writing-sprints-random-relationships/" target="_blank">Eight Ladies Writing</a>Chaco Kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03560381645041646759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903679997991129011.post-18737703170319319932016-05-27T12:52:00.000-04:002016-06-03T10:41:04.648-04:00Wind TossedIt's been a while, but it is Flash Fiction Friday. <br />
<br />
I've been working on a full novel that I plan to have out by the end of the year:<br />
<br />
Archeologist meets lady sheriff, roughly, over the missing sheriff's truck and a query about the dead body they found in his basement. He wants to find and stop whoever is looting and destroying Utah archaeological sites, and she wants to find the missing sheriff without too many entanglements. Needless to say that isn't quite working out as planned- for either of them. It is a southwest, murder-mystery, killer-thriller, and if all goes well, the first in a series. I already have some great ideas for the next 4-5 stories in the series. Lee McEuen is the archaeologist - he's half Goshute Indian and proud of it. She is Jackie Kincaid - the only non-son in a family that have been Texas Rangers for generations. The desert can kill you, hide you, or even sustain you....your choice.<br />
<br />
Oh, also.... it's finally motorcycle season here in Michigan. I've been gathering the sun's vitamin D rays on my face and arms for the last week in and out of work. It sure makes the world feel and smell nicer. Except for that strange day last week that I kept smelling spiced peach jam all along the way to work, except for one stop that smelled like doughnuts. It inspired me to grab a dozen this morning and squeeze them gently into my side-bag for me and my work mates. Kind of a "have a great long weekend" kind of morning.<br />
<br />
Now, here is Flash Fiction Friday... Thanks to the ladies over at <a href="http://eightladieswriting.com/" target="_blank">Eight Ladies Writing</a>, because I decided to participate in their <a href="https://eightladieswriting.com/2016/05/27/elizabeth-friday-writing-sprints-i-could-do-this-blindfolded/#more-8862" target="_blank">Friday Writing Sprints</a>.... want to try your luck and spin some random words? Drop by over there and add some. It can be a lot of fun. It definitely loosens the up the old brain cells - waky waky little brain! :D Here's my entry for the day:<br />
<br />
<h3>
Wind Tossed</h3>
<h2>
by PR Henriksen</h2>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimL0-skwX6Yi3lrQ5ThhE5tur6IkogrLHaJzZ_SOejIDotCwVwN-uQEuw9nmAahcAuRoSNF1bGX05OSd5z9F3TIDeMLV0NVR7VRdpp6xZ_3vL7ZbUshFRimVFENmcupWky2tmiK8FUS48/s1600/windtossed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimL0-skwX6Yi3lrQ5ThhE5tur6IkogrLHaJzZ_SOejIDotCwVwN-uQEuw9nmAahcAuRoSNF1bGX05OSd5z9F3TIDeMLV0NVR7VRdpp6xZ_3vL7ZbUshFRimVFENmcupWky2tmiK8FUS48/s320/windtossed.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Picture from </span><a href="http://morguefile.com/" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">Morgue File</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
"Brother, am I gonna regret this!"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Truly epic adventures and the most stupid of hell-bound ideas both start with a statement like that. So, my odds were 50/50. Could be worse... </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After my chute shot unexpectedly sideways in a near hurricane wind blast, I'd gotten myself tangled up in a tree. I was hanging upside down, like some sort of floofy, artist's dream of a cloudy, forest chandelier. I also mentally reset my odds of accomplishing this mission at about 75/25 - against. </div>
<div>
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div>
When I first came back to consciousness from the possessed wind and tree knock to my, apparently, only average-thick noggin. I thought I was blindfolded. After a cheerful heartbeat of panic, flailing, and perhaps a small squeak or two. I wrestled some of the silk and lines from my face. Voilà! Still not free at last, but at least it wasn't my grand finale, I was still breathing, flailing, and now seeing! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I looked down. There were no stars out tonight- just pirouetting pinecones, pro-flexing pine boughs, and a distinct breeze up my pine-scented backside. Gravity was sure to want the rest of her due shortly, but she would have to wait for Bill.</div>
<div>
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<div>
"Katherine Maria Boracchio, what in the hell are you doing up in that tree?"</div>
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I looked up, it made my left eye twitch as gravity and the moon tides pulled some extra blood into it and swirled it around.</div>
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"I don't know Bill. I think I might be having a personal adventure at the moment. Could you come back after I've had a chance to pass out again and come into some new existential realizations or an aneurism of some type?" </div>
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"Very funny. We've got work to do! Do I have to send you an official invitation? " </div>
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"Do I have to send you some pee-mail? I could use some critical assistance here, unless you want to break into that facility, by yourself, and hump back here with the payload, by yourself and then maybe you'll find your ride still waiting for you, or maybe you'll be by yourself."</div>
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I heard laughter on the wind, and I don't think it was the leaves. The altitude was too high, just lodge pole pines and cool, aka frigid, breezes. I felt some extra tugging on my lines and body. </div>
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"Hey, I wasn't kidding about the pee-mail."</div>
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There was more tugging, and some ripping noises. I was keeping my eyes closed to ease the throbbing, while trying to breathe calmly through the now noteworthy nausea. And I really did have to pee. Gravity didn't care if you were upside down or right side up. Every tug on my harness, tugged at my bladder. Then there was one final tug, and down went my heart.</div>
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I didn't have time to squeak or flail, I just fell, rapidly, and poof! I was floating on a cloud.</div>
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"I would have told you to hang on, but that would have defeated the purpose."</div>
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I rolled over, out of the silk remains of my parachute, and promptly puked. I wiped off my mouth on a stray shard, patted and kissed it. "You got me down safe baby. Thanks." </div>
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"Hey, I had something to do with it."</div>
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I got the harness off and gave my bladder some relief. It was good to be working with gravity again.</div>
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"This is going to cost you a fortune my friend."</div>
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"It always does, Kate, but you're worth every penny of it."</div>
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I went over to give Bill a pukey kiss too, but he decided to pass. His loss. </div>
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I cut a piece off my parachute, wrapped it around my waist, and tied it in a knot, giving me a makeshift skirt-wrap. </div>
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Bill raised an eyebrow, and gravity got his jaw. "I hired you for all your assets." </div>
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"I know. That's why I remembered to take cover. " My smile lifted with the wind. "Rule number one, don't forget to cover your ass."</div>
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Bill's smile was like a solar flare combined with a black hole- it tugged and got my heart all tangled and sideways again. "I thought we had a job to do?"</div>
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My bottom caught some more pine-scented free-breeze, and I waited a moment for gravity to kick back in. </div>
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"Lead on. I think the winds have shifted in my favor."</div>
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Chaco Kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03560381645041646759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903679997991129011.post-54151126315763231212015-12-28T21:20:00.001-05:002015-12-28T21:28:19.421-05:00The Wizard Saves the New Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
A little set up.... Over at <a href="http://eightladieswriting.com/" target="_blank">Eight Ladies Writing</a> they've been having Friday word sprints using a randomly generated list of words. The character below, Jenna Hansen (SFPD officer and FBI couter-terrorism team member) has been evolving on Fridays for the last couple of months. "The Wizard" is a new addtion and this story gives more background on both of them. You are currently at a disadvantage, because I have not posted any of the previous Jenna Hansen story here yet, because it isn't finished. </div>
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This week was the annual Eight Ladies Holiday story challenge. This is my story for this year.</div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 28px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">The Wizard Saves the New Year</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="font-size: 28px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">(A Jenna Hansen Tale)</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Had it been six years already? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It's almost impossible, as a city cop, to get even one day off over a holiday, let alone a week. Spending it in New York? Well, that conjured up images of Lady Liberty, romantic carriage rides around Central Park, exclusive shopping, unique food shops, and possibly some snow with a bag of toasty chestnuts in your hand.</span></div>
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What I hadn't received that year were broadway tickets, love poetry inviting me to the top of the Empire State building for a rendezvous, or even tickets to see the new giraffe enclosure at the zoo. Any of those options would have made for a fine holiday break. Instead, I had received an invite that read more as a "summons to appear" for specialized counter-terrorism training in New York over Christmas break. So, I was spending the coveted week between Christmas and New Year learning how much more dangerous my city and my job were going to be by order of my chief and the President.</div>
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Back then I thought of him as the smooth, Casanova type. He didn't come across a a cop, FBI, or CIA. He was dressed too sharp, tailored too well, and looked solid gold. The rest of us came across as more tin-plated and back-woodsy. He was the kind of guy you knew was bad for you, the kind of smooth, villain, bad-boy who had velvet handcuffs in one jacket pocket and studded condoms in the other. All the girls gathered around him like moths ready to burn up in his fire. I didn't blame any of them, when he smiled at you, you smiled back, grateful for the warmth. It was like the sun itself had deemed you worthy and beamed its perfect rays down upon you. That smile was overlooked by the deepest blue eyes you could ever swim in, and surrounded by nearly jet-black hair that was perfectly content to stay put, but for a rogue curl that would drop down as a tease. Sin in a suit.</div>
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For the most part, the training was just as you would expect: long, dry, and alcohol inducing. The training exercises were much more stimulating, and after long periods of sitting, I relished the chance to be more hands on. I even got a piece of that solid gold suit. </div>
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Just when I thought I had him where I wanted him, he managed to twist things around an get my face into the wall. He pressed in tight, making sure I knew his suit was cut for fit and function, not just flattery. Then he laughed just a little and whispered in my ear, "Most girls wouldn't fight so hard, love." Then he kissed my neck. </div>
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I'd be lying if I said it wasn't hot, but he'd pissed me off. I slid down and back in to him, just a little, with a slight groan and he eased his grip ever so slightly, bringing his thigh just a little closer in. Being a polite professional, I didn't grab for his more sensitive bits, as I could have, but I did get a more than lover's grasp on his inner thigh. To his credit, he neither screamed nor dropped, but he did give me an opening to switch things around and get him cuffed on the ground. It was my turn to whisper sweet nothings now. I leaned down to his ear and said, "I'm a woman, not a girl.", and I nipped at his ear.</div>
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I took my time patting him down and enjoyed every minute of it. I relieved him of two pistols, three knives, a pocket watch (that seemed "very dangerous" at the time), and four ribbed, "lubed for her pleasure" condoms. The director stopped me before I could locate the velvet handcuffs that I knew were hidden somewhere. </div>
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"That's enough Hansen. Stand down."</div>
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He rolled over, got the cuffs in front, and had them on the floor almost instantly. In less than a minute he was collecting his gear and smiling at me like he'd just won the lottery. He looked over at the director, "She'll do."</div>
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Hansen, you're dismissed. Report back to me <a dir="ltr" href="x-apple-data-detectors://0" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">at 8pm</a>, ready for duty. Looking around, I noticed everyone else had already been dismissed.</div>
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That's how I found myself hanging from the New Years' ball downtown, less than an hour before it dropped. And this after an exhilarating, but not at all romantic ride on horseback, at top speed, through Central Park on borrowed NYPD ponies. </div>
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"You drop me and you'll never get laid again, because I'll come haunt your ass and scare them all away." He held my hand, grabbed my arm and started to pull me up. </div>
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"Have a little faith, Firecracker!" He smiled his halogen-beam smile down at me. </div>
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"I am not kidding, Westin, you won't even get a sheep! I'll make it my afterlife's work." </div>
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He got me into the ball and pulled me in tight. It felt good. I wasn't sure whether it was the heat coming from him or the lack of draft up my heavily beaded party dress- either way, I had something solid under my feet. </div>
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"Did you get it?" </div>
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That made me want to pull off one of my four-inch stilettos and stab him in the throat.</div>
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"Of course I did." And slapped the ten pound half-ball of an explosive into his hand. "I'm not just giving a thong shot to all of New York and the national networks for nothing." Good thing I'd had that Brazilian wax job two weeks ago, when I thought I would be in Hawaii for this week.</div>
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"How are we going to make this thing disappear, now that we got it?"</div>
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"UAV." </div>
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Sure enough, he proceeded to pull a mini, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, from a case I never even saw him carrying.</div>
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The ball had begun to drop, carrying us down to the thousands of people in Times Square. </div>
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"A little help, please." He handed the bomb, with UAV attached, back to me.</div>
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"What?" </div>
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"I need you to hold that out there, propulsion away from you, while I start it and send it away." </div>
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"How about I fly it and you stick yourself out of the ball?!" </div>
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"You aren't rated for it and we only have one chance. Now get yourself up there, and for heavens sakes, get a good grip this time!" </div>
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"I'll grip you, you smug son of a..." And it was away. I counted down the last ten seconds with the rest of the world, and BANG! The bomb went off, on schedule, for the New Year. </div>
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His hands wrapped around my waist and got me safely to the floor, inside the ball, once more. Facing me, he winked one of his deep, sea-blue eyes at me, gave a little wolf-whistle and smiled. </div>
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"You're quite the heartbreaker, Hansen, the world is a safer and more beautiful place because of your red thong, and that little black rose tattoo on your derrière. Perfection."</div>
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Of course he would look, how could he not, as he guided the UAV from between my spread legs, whilst the wind tugged the bottom of my dress ever upwards. Without the all of the decorative beading, the whole world might have seen my lack of bra as well. </div>
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"You owe me dinner."</div>
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"How's that, love?"</div>
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"No one gets that view without dinner, dessert, a couple of drinks, and some serious, previous handholding and such." </div>
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"Only all of New York and at least a million viewers nationwide." </div>
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I straightened up and raised an eyebrow. <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"You must think you're some kind of Wizard?"</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Wizard?"</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Yes,</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> because a magician pulls off tricks, but you're able to seemingly bend reality to your will." </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"The Wizard. I like that." </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">He smiled. I was giving him credit for a smirk that was all sex-appeal and charm, rather than condescension. He then gently reached for my hand and suggested we leave.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As we exited the building into the cheering, kissing, crowd. He took off his suit jacket and tucked me in it like a treasured jewel. He offered me a yellow rose he pulled, from heaven only knows where, and said, "You are quite right. It seems that I am in quite in arrears and well behind in your debt good lady. I would gladly make up the difference to you in any way you see fit." </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">He warmed me with another perfect smile and a mini-bow, "Miss India Ink Black Rose, I am yours to command." </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I think I may have blushed, just a bit. </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Happy New Year, Wizard."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Happy New Year, India Rose." </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We kissed and the fireworks continued...just like the movies. Dinner was pretty good too.</span></div>
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Chaco Kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03560381645041646759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903679997991129011.post-50843542247956009722015-11-16T10:36:00.000-05:002015-11-16T10:36:41.490-05:00Bonus, NaNoWriMo, Week 3 Pep-TalkAre you NaNo-ing? I wasn't going to this year. I had participated in Camp NaNo this summer, but then the week before I changed my mind. (I'm sure that never happens to you either. :D )<br />
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Anyway, I've been participating with NaNo in one form or another since 2008. In all that time I have always participated with the Isle of Skye in Scotland, which added a few more small groups there and became a more conglomerated and infamous Scotland Elsewhere. And you are thinking - isn't Detroit, Michigan a bit far away from Isle of Skye, Scotland? Why yes it is! (If you don't believe me you can Google it.) The Detroit SE group is thousands of people, all over, and there are good people and MLs here - I just never really felt deeply a part of it (more so over the last year when some of the group formed a FaceBook page). I hope NaNo will consider breaking it into smaller chunks soon.<br />
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The Isle of Skye was small when I started there - it was a friendly, homey place, due in huge part to the ML - MarieRex, or Anastasia. She seemed a bit older than the average NaNo-er but never felt ancient. She was extremely hands on, and full in with NaNo. She never seemed to want to publish a book, she just seemed to enjoy the annual challenge and being able to help others along the way. She would sometimes mention knitting and a shelf full of NaNo hard work. My feelings and enjoyment of NaNo have been shaped greatly by Anastasia. We lost her last year, just before NaNo and apparently us fine, lost, bunch of lambs had no leader this year, so everyone just pitched in, in remembrance of our beloved MarieRex. So, here is my pitch-in, the Week 3 Pep Talk. If you are NaNo-ing this year, feel free to chip in. If you are looking for a Week 3 Pep Talk - Scotland Elsewhere has you covered.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><b><u>Welcome to week three of NaNoWriMo.
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">If we were hitting the equivalent
of week three in your story, we’d be at the mid-point, this morning. And as James Scott Bell describes in his
writerly help book: “Write Your Novel From the Middle”, this is the “mirror
moment” for your main characters. This
is that time, in the middle of the story, where everything changes and your
main character needs to take a moment to reflect about where they started, who
they are now, and where they're going. (PS This mirror point can also inform
your ending – so if you’re looking for clues about how your fabulous story is
gonna end, take some time and reflect with your characters, so you can predict
how and why your ending will be amazing!) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">This week, your characters’ story goes
down, down, down, into the very depths of despair, right before they decide enough is enough. (At which point they decide to kick butt gloriously on week
four and fight their way to a big finish.)
NaNo kind of does the same thing on week three. It is usually this week that you'll find
yourself in one of three, often compromising positions: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">1) You completed your word counts
on every day, you completely on top of things, and your magnificent story is
flowing into the world. Well except that you killed off your main protagonist,
and minor character has taken over. And you have NO idea how to end this thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">2) Things are probably normal
(like “real world”) meaning you had your ups and downs and you’re probably a
little behind or struggling to keep up at this point. Sometimes your story’s taking detours, and sometimes
your word flow is only fitting in between coffee consumption and potty breaks,
but you’re fairly confident that you can wrap up your 50,000 words (even if
they are slurred and blurred). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">3) You are completely behind. So far behind that you're thousands of words
back sounds like an easy day. Your story
may not be going well, life got crazy, and now you’re wondering if it is worth
the stress or the hassle to even bother to try anymore. <i>Can I really make up 10 or 20k in a few days? I will never catch up
there is no way I am going to be able to conquer 50,000 words. I may just have
to try again another year.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Let me stop you right here. It is completely possible for you to finish,
even if you're 25,000 words behind. Just
don't give up! However, in my opinion, even if you don't reach the 50,000 words
but you've worked on your writing consistently, it doesn't make you a failure,
because you didn't give up and you made it all the way to the end. And the
super, deep secret to NaNo is? It’s to
try to write every day. If you do this for the majority of month, the odds are
very high that you've created a new and wonderful habit for yourself. So don't
get hung up on the word count. The story is still out there and you are still
here. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">This mid-way point this is your
chance to decide how both your story and your story’s story are going to end.
What I can tell you is that if you can fight your way through all of the
obstacles that you're going to encounter this week… You my friend ARE a
writer. A NaNo hero, just like the hero
in your story! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">You've got this! And if you ever
think you don't, come back here to the forums and we’ll set you straight. Now, since
there are only heroes and writers among you, I expect great tales! Don’t forget to let us know how your week is
going. Let us cheer you on. Let us help you cheer your characters on. Let us help you through the deep dark. Unlike your stories, where you are absolutely
supposed to torture your characters, you my dear writer friend have friends. You don't have to write it alone. Now, back up and NaNo on with confidence!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Chaco Kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03560381645041646759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903679997991129011.post-3089263627378686772015-11-16T10:05:00.000-05:002015-11-16T10:36:58.031-05:00Fall is Fleeing & Winter is Fast Approaching (or is it Encroaching?)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9z2MhsjFRdpLxP4iQsLqy4NpOMHoy_zz4CM8j7JAY76LJfnCWz5bctzXdYpyylBZ-yq1nr6LosEea_8iIdMHl0xx3GQL8Uzo1KLq32RuHyTzIv5dfP3MkPzaWEn021kAURA6SMipxmo/s1600/MGs_fall2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9z2MhsjFRdpLxP4iQsLqy4NpOMHoy_zz4CM8j7JAY76LJfnCWz5bctzXdYpyylBZ-yq1nr6LosEea_8iIdMHl0xx3GQL8Uzo1KLq32RuHyTzIv5dfP3MkPzaWEn021kAURA6SMipxmo/s320/MGs_fall2015.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Penny, and the Girls - Pepper, Tawny, & Daisy</td></tr>
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I love fall! But it does herald the rapid descent into the deep frost and anti-motorcycle zone known not-even-remotely-affectionately as WINTER.... Burrrrrr.<br />
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A little over a week ago, I thought I'd had my last ride for the season. I mean, how often do you get a perfect 70F week in NOVEMBER, in Michigan. Let me tell you, not often. It's rare to get such a perfect week just into October (and October this year had us in the 30s for a couple of weeks).<br />
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This year is seeing some drastic changes (& I'm not just talking about my radical hair color change). At the end of September this year I had my dad out for his birthday ride. He is 74 this year. It wasn't a very long ride (about an hour each way) and it was a perfect riding day. You can see by his smile, that he was loving it. Unfortunately we both realized, this finally really was his last ride. His ability to get on and off has been worsening, but his ability to balance to start and stop and for slow maneuvers was quite scary. As happy as he is in this picture, he was equally sad when he got home.<br />
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This is one of those things he has always loved.... motorcycles and fast cars. It's been hard thinking that I'm losing my best riding buddy. I started as a baby between him and my mom on a Honda, up to riding cross-country on the back. Up to learning to ride in the dirt and then head cross-country with him on my own bike. My dad really is one of my best friends, but the seasons change and fall and winter come to us all. I'm sure I still have many moto-adventures still waiting for me and I look forward to them. They will just seem a little more lonely.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dad, Dale, on the occasion of his 74th Birthday.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Any day you get to ride (especially in the sun) is a good day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is today - Moto-Monday smiling!</td></tr>
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Well, unlike most Mondays - today is perfect. Ok, with the acknowledgement that it will eventually be sunny and 60F which is pretty near perfect. (It was in the 30s this morning, when I headed to work. My fingers were not thrilled. We've usually had a standing rule that we don't ride under 40F... except for Polar Bear runs and desperate mid-winter, dry, sunny days :D )<br />
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<br />Chaco Kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03560381645041646759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903679997991129011.post-73443122328138323102015-10-22T10:03:00.000-04:002015-10-22T10:03:30.198-04:00It's Good to Have a Plan!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I read a great article over at Eight Ladies Writing - blog: <a href="http://eightladieswriting.com/2015/10/22/michille-caples-planning-a-novel/" target="_blank">Planning a Novel by Michille</a>. I've been working on this very subject for the last few months - like crazy, I want to get a book out - NOW! And her article sparked me enough to respond and I found I'd put down a lot of stuff and Heck - it should be on my blog too. So here it is.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xBoi9hD65xDG5Vi76j2zt1bbjZ7EOjbszWyWdjNwztqOQzAsD4Kvr3HPa_W-X-bHv3ID0pTCDU4H_3iAIQALjZhHT-E6oaTSimrqgbV4ME9iE3ihUn8jUeKt-1LqhpLTcxinSXsEv8E/s1600/sherlockecard6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xBoi9hD65xDG5Vi76j2zt1bbjZ7EOjbszWyWdjNwztqOQzAsD4Kvr3HPa_W-X-bHv3ID0pTCDU4H_3iAIQALjZhHT-E6oaTSimrqgbV4ME9iE3ihUn8jUeKt-1LqhpLTcxinSXsEv8E/s320/sherlockecard6.jpg" width="320" /></a>I'm a re-forming pantser. I wasn't going to do NaNo this year (<a href="http://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a> - aka National Novel Writing Month), but have decided I want to "finish the darn book" also. I think the reason I haven't finished is because I get a huge chunk of the way in and then end up with mysterious plot holes that seem more like black holes because they suck the story in - never to be finished (because I couldn't figure out the darn problems). I think I always felt like plotting took the creativity and flow out of it. What I am discovering is that it's a matter of perception. A lot of the creativity and pantsing go into the outline (outlines vary by person as to the amount of anal retentive detail and obnoxiousness) AND you get a chance to figure out your story problems before you spend months and tens of thousands of words finding out you've created a hot mess. I grabbed a story I felt I could work and sell and looked at it. I love the characters, their feel, the story idea - even more now, but let me tell you how heartbreaking it is to pull it all apart and find out that it will be a very different story. I am basically writing a new story. Although it is a bit sad, I find the more I plan, the more exciting it is too!<br />
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I started to see the light in my James Patterson class where he talks about outlining and the creativity that goes into it - Then I read through the outline of his book that he gave us. Wow! His outline is extreme (but he is often working with other writers so they have to have more info to be on the same page) - it was 30 pgs long. I couldn't stop reading it. I kept wanting to know what was next, and next, and next - And that was just the outline! I was also reading the book - so I know what tweaks were made along the way. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4J4avkQ6WbiFS5aVb_25m-wC4RBd928FkZ3dR9iL9E4yy_iEjMfv0lU_QyT0wUem68hNjKZjxV8__y1-ZTtkUbXEg15CjwqzzjU70nsUi0Qp3iDnBxh2f0DvQWswdK4N0xNkuOyg3c4/s1600/sherlockecard41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4J4avkQ6WbiFS5aVb_25m-wC4RBd928FkZ3dR9iL9E4yy_iEjMfv0lU_QyT0wUem68hNjKZjxV8__y1-ZTtkUbXEg15CjwqzzjU70nsUi0Qp3iDnBxh2f0DvQWswdK4N0xNkuOyg3c4/s320/sherlockecard41.jpg" width="320" /></a>I am trying like mad to get my outline done. It is harder than I thought it would be - especially since I thought I already knew the story and the characters. Imagine my surprise at being aghast that some of my characters were waaaaaaay different (and opposite of) what I thought they were. It's not a string of murders any more either - it's more of an action thriller. I'm understanding what the theme is - because the characters have been showing me what it is, as I work on figuring out my outline. I find I've had a big problem in the past - <a href="https://writingandromance.wordpress.com/2015/10/19/the-conflict-box/" target="_blank">the conflict lock</a> - and it has been an unseen (to me), but well felt weakness. I think getting the outline set, will allow me to be in the true flow as I go to write.... And I am even changing that up this year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUjgIw2LmBx_JdMZL7w5dPzKiFXor6yFlwaizh8N-PXUQjQsmGIN6IgiPrVoHr8wHShS-ro-YaBOoe1VPIWmEyw39MdXXHomqAKXwxZH5OWWJ1kj5yCkGR5qazJzHTHOpIuPjaTJshpQ/s1600/sherlockecard3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUjgIw2LmBx_JdMZL7w5dPzKiFXor6yFlwaizh8N-PXUQjQsmGIN6IgiPrVoHr8wHShS-ro-YaBOoe1VPIWmEyw39MdXXHomqAKXwxZH5OWWJ1kj5yCkGR5qazJzHTHOpIuPjaTJshpQ/s320/sherlockecard3.jpg" width="320" /></a>I read a great short book called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XIQKBT8?keywords=Chris%20Fox&qid=1445521077&ref_=sr_1_5&s=digital-text&sr=1-5" target="_blank">"5000 words per hour" by Chris Fox</a>... one of his suggestions was to use Dragon Naturally Speaking (because you can talk a heck of a lot faster than you type or write). He also advocates working on and developing your sprint muscles and tracking your success so you can improve. I had tried Dragon before, hoping to do write faster. I trained the system and everything, but I didn't feel I had much luck. Fast forward to this week: I've been doing daily sprints this week to flex my muscles - two, 10 min sprints every morning - using the free Dragon dictation on my iPad and I am already clearing a NaNo day's word count in two, ten-minute sprints! If I have my outline ready to go, I am ready to "read" my book. If I can do this, I will complete my mission this year - which isn't 50,000 words - It's to complete a first draft of the entire book!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNN8r26FwYEjRZ8Ldm9d11wwaxpTHm_LeQinv1UfOe7MTici0eWqY-7I6ElXrQnoHBh71FtriFvDz-k6QwQKiSwtBf-oWdtZDnc5iOjfINmZub1Dv_wpler4q0LrJtGZMVctQrsPHlAqI/s1600/sherlockecard8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNN8r26FwYEjRZ8Ldm9d11wwaxpTHm_LeQinv1UfOe7MTici0eWqY-7I6ElXrQnoHBh71FtriFvDz-k6QwQKiSwtBf-oWdtZDnc5iOjfINmZub1Dv_wpler4q0LrJtGZMVctQrsPHlAqI/s320/sherlockecard8.jpg" width="320" /></a>For some quick help for other pantsers who want some accessible plotting help - I recommend two Jordan Dane (a self-described pantser) articles at <a href="https://killzoneblog.com/" target="_blank">The Killzone Authors</a>. TKZ is one of my favorite and most useful writerly hangouts. If you need to kill some time, get some help, etc... I cannot recommend the authors there enough.<br />
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Here are the two articles:<br />
<a href="http://killzoneauthors.blogspot.com/2012/03/authors-bucket-list-on-plot-structure.html" target="_blank">The Author’s Bucket List on Plot Structure</a>, by Jordan Dane, Mar 01, 2012<br />
(If you can even fill in just the 5 points of the "W" here - for your NaNo - you will be 90% better off than your fellow NaNo-ers.)<br />
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<a href="http://killzoneauthors.blogspot.com/2011/05/9-act-screenplay-structure-novel.html" target="_blank">9-Act Screenplay Structure – Novel Plotting Resource</a>, by Jordan Dane, May 18, 2011<br />
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If you want some more serious plotting advice - that makes sense and will get you going, I recommend another new read: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Outlining-Your-Novel-Map-Success-ebook/dp/B005NAUKAC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1445521243&sr=1-1&keywords=Outlining+Your+Novel" target="_blank">"Outlining Your Novel" by KM Weiland</a> - she has a matching workbook for it too.<br />
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I'm on NaNo as chaco_kid. I would be glad to be friends with any of you and kick ideas or kick bottom with you! :D You can do this! And remember:<br />
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Chaco Kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03560381645041646759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903679997991129011.post-91956190286648729592015-06-02T09:32:00.000-04:002015-06-02T09:32:57.561-04:00When Did She Become a Classic?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXNm-1-6w9tcPmuDG52dxYci4aKxdu_zkYYMjOVSNjj2HL0RnxcMuLmbAKGila3TlTdkWqwh3DAfEohsviqvbFRt1mMsMJkg_KWakJSsv_vzuak8tTRSsltdJ23d6qppXLpFW50RbxYM/s1600/1008110818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXNm-1-6w9tcPmuDG52dxYci4aKxdu_zkYYMjOVSNjj2HL0RnxcMuLmbAKGila3TlTdkWqwh3DAfEohsviqvbFRt1mMsMJkg_KWakJSsv_vzuak8tTRSsltdJ23d6qppXLpFW50RbxYM/s400/1008110818.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Valkyrie - at an overlook of lake Michigan.</td></tr>
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As much as I love my Valk, she is a 2000 model, making her 15 years old. I know what that is in dog years, but my bike? She seemed ageless. Yes, I swapped out batteries a few time, had to swap out the starter for a new one, changed out the breaks, upgraded to new spark plugs a few times, and exchanged air filters and oil filters way more than once. There have been tire changes, chromey bits added, We've balanced the carbs, scrubbed off gunk, and polished her to a fine shine. She's mine, but lately she's been showing her age (haven't we all?).<br />
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When I look at my Honda Valkyrie, she looks just as bright and shiney as the day I got her in 1999, but like the rest of us, she is getting old. Technically, she is my third personal bike. I started with a little Honda 80, then bumped up to an 1100 Yamaha Virago when I wanted to hit the roads. As we continued to ride cross-country (me, my dad, and for a while - until he got married and moved away- my brother) it became more important to have a bigger, more highway stable bike. I loved my Virago - she handled well, and cruised with little problem and not much more than basic maintenance, but going much over 65 MPH caused a lot of vibrations up the wrists and arms, lessening the enjoyment of longer, faster, highway riding. The Valyk carries her weight low, has a longer rake angle, more engine, and more dry packing space than my Virago ever did.<br />
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Lately the backend has had a bit of clunking and felt a little less than pert. (I know how that feels.) I still haven't been able to figure out why I feel it, but my dad doesn't if he takes her out. She is ready for new plugs and another carburetor balance (there are six of them - so it is a bit amusing). Despite these minor inconveniences, she is still very low maintenance and pretty much goes without stopping. <br />
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The weather has been mostly frozen and then soggy this year, giving very little chance to really get out and ride. (I'm not kidding every single day off I've had for four months - has rained.) Outrageous insurance fees paid. Plate paid. Jacket fluffed. Dust cover removed. And then there is a little, hinky-looking oil spot that just magically appeared when the cover was removed. Only 2-3 inches in diameter, looking quite shiny and newish as a new stain on the garage floor (my father doesn't like staining). This little spot of goo is sitting quite definitively under my left, front fork. Of course I couldn't believe my perfect lady would leak and leave such a mess, so I touched the bottom of the fork, just to confirm. Instant sadness. Gosh, darned Michigan pot holes! <br />
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In Michigan we don't just have pot holes, we have gaping street maws that open practically to the center of the earth. There are some areas around Detroit here that are using them for community farming this year. I have honestly sheared off a front break on one truck, sheared off the front wheel of my current truck and practically embedded the front forks of my Valk, into my head more than once. When I say pot hole - I mean, don't leave your anti-grav device at home. But I digress.<br />
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As soon as I took her dust cover off this morning, she practically cheered (and me with her), and then I had to pat her gently, say sweet loving words and let her know I was going to have to leave her home for the day so we would both be safe. My little moto-heart wanted to cry, and we both felt just a little bit older. I never thought of her as old. I've only been coming to the recent realization as my hair has suddenly given up the ghost of color this year, that I am getting older. I read a great Classic Motorcycle magazine online, but how did I suddenly end up with with one? I've never wanted to bump up to an Aspencade/Gold Wing, they handle and drive differently and I didn't feel "old" enough to have one. Now I find that my Valk and I are both fast becoming classics.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg814hbJ85qK8ocYAhh5MLc1w_htylpw5jvJt1VzoKwHBJFybq01e-72xyBl1z1K-zNdOd_VN6WZKeWiF5rZJi1qcNsMUsVdryHamoEfMBBWymYVmAlGBh6eQNgh42ix8MbKUSX_WH9Ra8/s1600/Pen_spring15_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg814hbJ85qK8ocYAhh5MLc1w_htylpw5jvJt1VzoKwHBJFybq01e-72xyBl1z1K-zNdOd_VN6WZKeWiF5rZJi1qcNsMUsVdryHamoEfMBBWymYVmAlGBh6eQNgh42ix8MbKUSX_WH9Ra8/s200/Pen_spring15_2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Penny, 2015</td></tr>
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I'm betting the leak is just a simple seal that has more than earned a rest and replacement, and it will give me a chance to spend some quality time with my girl (it can't all be riding bliss - there are some responsibilities). Us refined lady types do prefer a bit more finesse. We have a lot of history and many miles together. I'm not ready to trade her in for a newer, flashier model, so I guess I will try to be gentle with us both. "Getting older isn't for wimps", as they say. And perhaps we all need an excuse to sit down and smell the carnauba and oil, and get our hands dirty in helping to make each other shine.<br />
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Do you have an older bike? Do you choose to always stay shiny with the newer models or do you prefer to have a shining relationship with an old friend?<br />
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<br />Chaco Kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03560381645041646759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903679997991129011.post-60335157510429783092015-04-17T15:27:00.000-04:002015-04-17T15:27:02.992-04:00How Dare You!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4ua-VAeo65QXcBzOnC7p152xAthV4oHoGETKhzOsKH3Bm2nfKOIwxlL5F0WFbd4x1PgCa6JdAT5JWn80WQ2NHV4Z86NIXJcVoemCFuhU9OrstlOqUSMR01nb9GwppdOkFnM9oac5bp4/s1600/April15_GilElvgren.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4ua-VAeo65QXcBzOnC7p152xAthV4oHoGETKhzOsKH3Bm2nfKOIwxlL5F0WFbd4x1PgCa6JdAT5JWn80WQ2NHV4Z86NIXJcVoemCFuhU9OrstlOqUSMR01nb9GwppdOkFnM9oac5bp4/s1600/April15_GilElvgren.jpg" height="320" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gil Elvgren Pin-Up calendar April 2015 picture.</td></tr>
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It's Flash Fiction Friday!<br />
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How dare you!</h4>
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by PR Henriksen</h3>
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How dare you splash me, Sir. You are no gentleman.<br />
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It’s bad enough that Mother Nature decided rain her wrath down upon me, but you sir…. There is no excuse. I had carefully placed the silk upon my legs, tugging the seams ever so straight against my curves in the back. The dress? Pressed to impress and in white so as to contrast beautifully with the upcoming spring flowers. My hair was curled, my make up sublime, and now you've covered me with both mud and slime. You are no gentleman, most unkind sir. In the future I shall refer to you as cur.<br />
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Dear Cur, you are as the name suggests good for nothing, but to be cut and culled from the herd, as one who hinders, rather than helps. Even wet, I glisten like the delicate, bright flowers you also tried to cover. Where your worthless hide will be forgotten, my soaked, silk thigh will still catch the right guy’s eye, and he’ll treat me as a real gentleman should. <br />
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May your way be ever clear and sunny, so that you too can someday shine… now fare-thee-well, while nature and I await the rainbow that is sure to follow in your uncaring wake.<br />
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Chaco Kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03560381645041646759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903679997991129011.post-43681852762112690382015-04-15T13:07:00.000-04:002015-04-15T13:07:43.451-04:00If You're Going to Procrastinate...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5MgfW8tOmmbHKZgBp23rBYtc3oMRUcgTo9mwXs1UvmaEm8LuAG7fRVAKItOFioEQtwolCmHwFyDMhC3ikRwg3taPFIOcKdjXFH5G2EC9wO69OB-dEg13Mu4ybMQp84BaQFQ5WCS9aE0/s1600/11021524_1692985850928009_8904799907331648775_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5MgfW8tOmmbHKZgBp23rBYtc3oMRUcgTo9mwXs1UvmaEm8LuAG7fRVAKItOFioEQtwolCmHwFyDMhC3ikRwg3taPFIOcKdjXFH5G2EC9wO69OB-dEg13Mu4ybMQp84BaQFQ5WCS9aE0/s1600/11021524_1692985850928009_8904799907331648775_n.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
Ok, so, life became all-absorbing again. I have missed a few Writing Wednesdays. Today is your day. I have been so busy with intense course study (non writing related), that I haven't had much time to write anything that hasn't directly been for class. As a matter of fact... It's like my creativity put headphones on and decided to take a nap about it. Oh, I've had a few rogue ideas or "fixes" pop into my head (which for the most part I was actually smart enough to write down), but as far as sitting down and getting any bulk of words on paper- NOPE!<br />
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All has not been lost. I find that even when I am not creatively writing I can often find things to stoke the fires and keep me feeling warm and cozy about it. This week I give you - The Journeyman Writer. Now, I've told you about <a href="http://storywonk.com/" target="_blank">Storywonk</a> (love it!) - it's on the sidebar over there >>><br />
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Podcasts are not new to Storywonk, they have been the soul in there, almost since the beginning. And I love most of them (even when they get long), but my new favorite is Alastair's <a href="http://storywonk.com/the-journeyman-writer-35-revision-for-improvisers/" target="_blank">The Journeyman Writer</a> - It's short (5-10 min) and guess what, he is like the voice of reasonable writing reason in your head, with a slightly lovely Scottish lilt (although living in the USA for the last few years has mellowed it considerably). Alastair gives little moments of thoughtful writerly goodness and then - sends you off to your own journey. You magically feel more creative, more inspired, and part of a greater writing community (because yes, there are people out there just like you). Please, stop by and give it a listen (you might find some other pod-castery goodness while you're there too - fair warning - don't come back and hurt me for your own twisty journey to writinghood.<br />
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If you're going to procrastinate, do it with style, do it with purpose, take a worthwhile side trip, and by all means have FUN! (Also, don't blame me if you're a closet storywonk - I only gave you the story-geek place to hang out... I never made you one. :D )Chaco Kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03560381645041646759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903679997991129011.post-54773250619716987742015-03-04T11:13:00.000-05:002015-03-04T11:13:18.680-05:00Creative Midori Challenge for March<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNLbVOLMYoFkxFxvm4pUdMpjCFztvA4810EiIr0-yilGTrjAAYvctgzgCjYx-foSI-o4Tg3mlmhy5fziWzD59zQcesqobwtc0d9cX_xjutGVZPdgrdegazzhTBGJszakX7LYetvrv-vc/s1600/pen_writing-pad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNLbVOLMYoFkxFxvm4pUdMpjCFztvA4810EiIr0-yilGTrjAAYvctgzgCjYx-foSI-o4Tg3mlmhy5fziWzD59zQcesqobwtc0d9cX_xjutGVZPdgrdegazzhTBGJszakX7LYetvrv-vc/s1600/pen_writing-pad.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
Today’s challenge is "15 minutes of writing". Very appropriate, considering it’s Writing Wednesday. Do you ever accept creative challenges of any kind? And I’m going to suggest – outside of writing challenges? If not, you should consider trying it. Just to flex all of your creative muscles. We don’t want any or those creative juices to dry up and we certainly don’t want anything “creative” to atrophy.<br />
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I’m on Instagram as @chaco_kid and I mostly post pictures of my Momma’s Girls there. I got into IG almost three years back when I got my rescue girls and an iPad within a few months of each other. It was a natural. I figured people would get tired of seeing dozens of picture of my dogs in their Facebook streams, so I started a Momma’s Girl Facebook page and started creating Momma’s Girls comics with my dogs. I can tell you that creating comics works your creativity and your dialog skills – short, concise, and to a point. (You also see how many times you screw up on your editing later – because the graphic work temporarily blinded you from noticing your finger’s missteps.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaG8y4GHJy5tisr3CVoJG-WZSrFRhhdn8xZOinjmE4lEt9fgR4cFZq3F7wertf74M86KAw70FGNFOeISmhGZIbujlD8-jJsuLRWgdYVjByqTmgg8Txas3Xd-7P1FDITj1xcATi7UZUmx8/s1600/midori_0_challenge_mar15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaG8y4GHJy5tisr3CVoJG-WZSrFRhhdn8xZOinjmE4lEt9fgR4cFZq3F7wertf74M86KAw70FGNFOeISmhGZIbujlD8-jJsuLRWgdYVjByqTmgg8Txas3Xd-7P1FDITj1xcATi7UZUmx8/s1600/midori_0_challenge_mar15.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>I have done the picture a day Instagram photo challenges before – but someone posted a Creative Midori Challenge (#creativemidorichallenge) and it looked like it would flex a lot more creative muscle. It had such a variety of things to try. And just the day before, I had purchased some watercolor supplies (I’m a dabbler – not an artist, as you will see in a minute with my iPad graphic-y goodness.) because I’d been feeling the need to stretch and flex creatively (since my book keeps trying not to get itself finished). So here it is- and you can certainly join in on the fun anytime and it’s not too late if you want to catch up either:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-UlVpogROUqgORz2HFsyHBgWKe6fvh0HgTVAoFHoC6XogUhMda7KyMpdcgaxunm6nvs12o68BB6QBQGbqrN40DrN1IcQ3boHCEZHzZa63dCSKmfbmJLbCvnVoQO88CmrXcrxhjz-UEE/s1600/midori_1_watercolorsupplies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-UlVpogROUqgORz2HFsyHBgWKe6fvh0HgTVAoFHoC6XogUhMda7KyMpdcgaxunm6nvs12o68BB6QBQGbqrN40DrN1IcQ3boHCEZHzZa63dCSKmfbmJLbCvnVoQO88CmrXcrxhjz-UEE/s1600/midori_1_watercolorsupplies.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 1 Watercolor Supplies</td></tr>
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Back to “today’s challenge” which is to write for 15 minutes. I thought – cool, it’s almost like kismet (fate). So here I am to share it with you and challenge you to flex and stretch your creative muscles a bit and see what comes out! Better yet, challenge your friends and share. It’s amazing how different everyone can see a word like “bunny” or “nautical” and it may open up your creative floodgates all over! Spring is coming, it is time to plant some goodness, water it, and see what grows in the new season.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KSg0pDV47mkCIYD2KSg3tsLdstyUyqPr6yjWtJS1QzSNELQynTgeOprjQrPm3VqvVdF5_MREEK-Q35RTyHGXenAoUiMuWOOjcfta4K_KCdxHpUWElg4pju-JjaBiL2avpB35gQrvo3A/s1600/midori_2_nautical.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KSg0pDV47mkCIYD2KSg3tsLdstyUyqPr6yjWtJS1QzSNELQynTgeOprjQrPm3VqvVdF5_MREEK-Q35RTyHGXenAoUiMuWOOjcfta4K_KCdxHpUWElg4pju-JjaBiL2avpB35gQrvo3A/s1600/midori_2_nautical.PNG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 2 Nautical- by PR Henriksen</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-nU4srbVOvQ7bJTukmDLg4o54sS0VkusCx-ifURRLWheL6y3KH01MoDd7togkwLBisFEtSN36_uGmRRBobbNEJpMWVtwDrutlV4TY1M71JiWvhvzvMHOZfK0q42_0RyhwuLphvY-844/s1600/midori_3__somebunny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-nU4srbVOvQ7bJTukmDLg4o54sS0VkusCx-ifURRLWheL6y3KH01MoDd7togkwLBisFEtSN36_uGmRRBobbNEJpMWVtwDrutlV4TY1M71JiWvhvzvMHOZfK0q42_0RyhwuLphvY-844/s1600/midori_3__somebunny.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 3 Bunny- by PR Henriksen</td></tr>
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PS I am now well aware that I am probably doing it completely wrong – as far as I can tell Midori is a planner/scheduler kind of thing – only way more awesome. It seems to be like a combination of journaling, scrapbooking, listing, organizing, and being generally crafty in a little book – all at the same time. However - none of this should keep you from a perfectly good, creative exercise! :D<br />
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Feel free to show us some of your creative muscle - Flex it baby, flex it!Chaco Kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03560381645041646759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903679997991129011.post-38353820287163412362015-02-16T15:44:00.000-05:002015-02-16T15:45:31.801-05:00Wow, where is 2015 going?!So, I've been crazy inactive here on the blog, because I've been so active with so many other crazy things. Life gets like that some times. 40 Practicum hours, full-time work fun, participating in winter fest with the Ruby Slippered Sisterhood, and just plain participating in winter! <br />
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Technically today is Moto-Monday and I do want to honor that by posting this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoBEOtM1MtWs5U4PInb5-A4Vn1rQV05pT0ptDzbPz9rWtmcz05hI4Uu7K_g2T7DZVmpmEBz_TV_mX_qM-AnHLKxjcTlNmnbRIahRrPqAPiUZYg0H7-j2vZT3dZf9fb4_99I4zfYG_JG9g/s1600/bhmtsenp5gubsccvnnhb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoBEOtM1MtWs5U4PInb5-A4Vn1rQV05pT0ptDzbPz9rWtmcz05hI4Uu7K_g2T7DZVmpmEBz_TV_mX_qM-AnHLKxjcTlNmnbRIahRrPqAPiUZYg0H7-j2vZT3dZf9fb4_99I4zfYG_JG9g/s1600/bhmtsenp5gubsccvnnhb.jpg" height="320" width="297" /></a></div>
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Yeah, this isn't going to happen for another few months at our weather's rate. Several feet of snow and many - degrees on the temperature scale, along with streets covered in slick ice with semi-frozen snow drifts says.... Moto-Mondays are on hold for a while. I stopped in the garage and petted my bike lovingly while telling it to keep it's cover tight, because it was really not moto-friendly weather out there. I think I heard it go - brrrrrrrrrr. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhbq9XIcseFTlYdOT22ascylXE2EDPFz-vlE8Nm_BMf_hu4dIOeC-5aaXivfTwYImW4-9WTCTQWvnLxlWVIhaX1vHdKzmnvZrX4cXZTh_BjqpmpdA9999xMR8Ryq4UKC6JBjmJf0YwIg/s1600/e2c69833-2921-4a9f-9128-315f51e58b40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhbq9XIcseFTlYdOT22ascylXE2EDPFz-vlE8Nm_BMf_hu4dIOeC-5aaXivfTwYImW4-9WTCTQWvnLxlWVIhaX1vHdKzmnvZrX4cXZTh_BjqpmpdA9999xMR8Ryq4UKC6JBjmJf0YwIg/s1600/e2c69833-2921-4a9f-9128-315f51e58b40.jpg" height="320" width="273" /></a></div>
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I, of course, want to rise to all of these challenges and overcome them like a hill-climbing champ. And in many ways I am succeeding. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRO-s5_sbhxADwFOVTN9PMAfA53GHPavSdOVT1578is7QK1POUsL_IiAGJnxw5_8UIwm9Os1AOtspU_0igye5tPJ09YUTt-kiH84Bvy1vALCraUooZkNpYyILfVz1E4wUjjpU9LqwVu04/s1600/motorcyclechicks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRO-s5_sbhxADwFOVTN9PMAfA53GHPavSdOVT1578is7QK1POUsL_IiAGJnxw5_8UIwm9Os1AOtspU_0igye5tPJ09YUTt-kiH84Bvy1vALCraUooZkNpYyILfVz1E4wUjjpU9LqwVu04/s1600/motorcyclechicks.jpg" height="284" width="320" /></a></div>
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Any way - the bad weather can't last forever. Right? I mean I was starting to look into motorcycle insurance for this year (it's gone up like crazy on my truck - I'm not feeling it's going to be great for the motorcycle either). For the last few years those sneaky rotten insurance buggers force you to pay motorcycle insurance for a full year - not a part or for the months you actually need it. I mean year round insurance would be great if you had year round riding conditions... but those have never existed here in Michigan, so it's yet another evil plan to take all of your money and stab you in the foot of your fun. (See, I told you the weather was getting me down.)<br />
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To show you that there is still "fun" in the winter of my motorcycle discontentment.... I give you Miss Daisy - on my Valykrie:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbluDazH1U5HkC1pQYv01jUFUOgySRWkFTFvPdQ5DGsVk3zSp9dRKfonnbJgw-mGmg2NSBGUyc4GuBCQOEB1bcvGtPXuCU6fnfWhTaoNaksp87ziPa2pm7ZrE3rruS9vCHseQMz1U_mk/s1600/MGs_14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbluDazH1U5HkC1pQYv01jUFUOgySRWkFTFvPdQ5DGsVk3zSp9dRKfonnbJgw-mGmg2NSBGUyc4GuBCQOEB1bcvGtPXuCU6fnfWhTaoNaksp87ziPa2pm7ZrE3rruS9vCHseQMz1U_mk/s1600/MGs_14.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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And this is the way it should be!<br />
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If your weather is good my friends, or you're a special kind of cold nut with excellent moto-balance.... please do post a picture of your good luck, so the rest of us may know that hope is still out there and she rides snow-free on 2-wheels!<br />
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<br />Chaco Kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03560381645041646759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903679997991129011.post-11116662951654681732015-01-07T08:30:00.000-05:002015-03-04T11:15:44.372-05:00Glittering RUBY Writing Wednesday!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eiHdTS3q3rv_vpyREV6ItBQCgqQwkQWZo3d9FVldJbJ01izU-b7fcwxyzArHgN-zF6JkVoZ9nrUGGbXBOg7ea6ZLORtRU4vRApDqJbDu8Lq5EV5VBHggGJNHmLv-vEmAHzMMxycyJ30/s1600/file7881246999070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eiHdTS3q3rv_vpyREV6ItBQCgqQwkQWZo3d9FVldJbJ01izU-b7fcwxyzArHgN-zF6JkVoZ9nrUGGbXBOg7ea6ZLORtRU4vRApDqJbDu8Lq5EV5VBHggGJNHmLv-vEmAHzMMxycyJ30/s1600/file7881246999070.jpg" height="75" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step into 2015 right, AND in style!</td></tr>
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This is a great day - it follows last night's Marvel's Agent Carter premiere with her very red hat! <br />
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So, I keep saying that I don't really write any romance or erotica or anything so blood pumping - well, in those ways. I'm more of a run faster, punch harder, pedal to the metal kind of gal - yea, like Peggy Carter. :D But I have a lot of friends and acquaintances who do. Some of the best, most effective and supportive writing groups out there seem to be romancing type writers. They even welcome men-folk into their midst and help them along with open arms.<br />
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For anyone who hasn't ever bothered to read a good romance novel - you are really missing out on some good writing craft. It's relatively easy to have your bad guy be evil and fight against your hero... but what if your antagonist is also your one true love? Well then your antagonist also becomes extra agony and angst. There is a lot of true character and story crafting in a real romance - no matter what other elements might be in there (murder, sci-fi, magic, or hair dos). Romance writers really study story and writing craft. They skillfully weave a tale of love, woe, and whoa, one line at a time. Anyway - damn good, really awesome writers, and lovely souls 'ta boot!<br />
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That being said I want to share one of my all-time favorite writerly finds of 2014 - The <a href="http://www.rubyslipperedsisterhood.com/" target="_blank">Ruby Slippered Sisterhood</a>. And that's not all (although once you visit there you will find that it could be awesome enough) - you will find notice of the RSS's annual Winter Writing Festival. And I want to you check it out and think about joining in the fun next week. You make your own goals, get lots of support and ideas, they often offer outrageous prizes (like you need more than getting some of your writing stuff done), AND you get to sprint with the Sisters! That's right - write with the writers. They are sprinting and chatting with you. Those that are in the know, in the thick of their own books and edits, those that have been there and are leading the way to where you are going.<br />
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<a href="http://www.rubyslipperedsisterhood.com/get-ready-for-the-winter-writing-festival-2015/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3oIIKdlVu60OcF3yHRstZi8CO8POKZXWN2lUajGjx4LsDZzs0zZ4hNhlMBGRb_MGJeo4jDDQ32-2e7Pbu9w1okRZ0U0MCo8f7kW1W2DBQ788W0UELOy5O5LuX3ehN3sznVKcqCSPxA5g/s1600/rss_winterfestival-participant-badge-2015.jpg" /></a></div>
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I'd never done a sprint before last year's Winter Festival - I never liked timed writing like that. I would freeze up like a deer in headlights, then jump out of the way. I found out that not only could I loosen up and actually write in a sprint, but .... I had fun and got some serious words down. I also met and suffered with awesome people and generally felt not completely alone in my own little world and mind. I even got to be a bit crazy and more like my "real" self.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lLER6yCmRIv0_yKe4EBq2qYJ3emglHddOIZn1fbZk2f4Uy-Xbxe9NYtZFKO6Oc7r3sduuv1coT9gQrYSh2hIp3G_gPBojyLDXjd-px5yv72wzNrYrsF9bWNdBCPbh5he3v32uMtk4LI/s1600/P4010080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lLER6yCmRIv0_yKe4EBq2qYJ3emglHddOIZn1fbZk2f4Uy-Xbxe9NYtZFKO6Oc7r3sduuv1coT9gQrYSh2hIp3G_gPBojyLDXjd-px5yv72wzNrYrsF9bWNdBCPbh5he3v32uMtk4LI/s1600/P4010080.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are more my style...but...</td></tr>
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When you slip on some ruby slippers, you slip into something magical that can take you to amazing places. They always say a woman should have a little black dress and a pair of red shoes. Maybe there is a really good reason. Cases in point - look what a pair of ruby slippers did for Dorthy in the Wizard of Oz? Or, where in all of time and space those bright red trainer's took David Tennant's Doctor Who? Just imagine the possibilities.... What could seeing and possibly wearing a bit of red do for you and your current project?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXH0y0Pli9pAF70O1fPf-cTWr6jsRpJxx06XIsc1Wop7KD9_jQH7dpNXS6xntIFggCqarrY0e6dPw_CJZKLxrdMG8lCH-n2TVvk5FByeq3ElF3HJSDQH9kExZZVT5kmp3IwwpTIZ_bKw/s1600/file7411257780562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXH0y0Pli9pAF70O1fPf-cTWr6jsRpJxx06XIsc1Wop7KD9_jQH7dpNXS6xntIFggCqarrY0e6dPw_CJZKLxrdMG8lCH-n2TVvk5FByeq3ElF3HJSDQH9kExZZVT5kmp3IwwpTIZ_bKw/s1600/file7411257780562.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THIS is REALLY more my style. A girl needs a proper carriage right?</td></tr>
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I challenge you to check out the Ruby Slippered Sisterhood, slip into something a little more comfortable (heeled, or racy, or lacy, or v-8 powered) and give it a go. I'll be checking in and looking for some of the "Night Writers" - you know who you are - and I plan to spin some wheels, steal some heels, and write some high octane tales!<br />
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So, what are you bringing to the party? <br />
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<br />Chaco Kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03560381645041646759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903679997991129011.post-88161807952597678392015-01-06T14:35:00.003-05:002015-01-06T14:35:54.143-05:00Happy New Year! It's 2015!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvaWiMTXNIzAUAJyJaGBcX8-ChpQnyBKKqO3DI4JcqqpmCehrf8mwWQg0MzkdUZfO2PJOYDwsocHeMK5uXw-YK64VyRJtA4EYzts-Ej9UKKdlBMZ2rNabLv2pAVGccKS5NfXNMDLQDkY/s1600/file000660648294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvaWiMTXNIzAUAJyJaGBcX8-ChpQnyBKKqO3DI4JcqqpmCehrf8mwWQg0MzkdUZfO2PJOYDwsocHeMK5uXw-YK64VyRJtA4EYzts-Ej9UKKdlBMZ2rNabLv2pAVGccKS5NfXNMDLQDkY/s1600/file000660648294.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for the Spring Thaw<b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Photo Credit: MorgueFile)</span></b></td></tr>
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Moto-Monday - Holiday Late.<br />
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Well, I am reporting back. <br />
I did not get a ride in on Jan 1st, however I did get a short ride in on Jan 2nd. On Jan 1st it was single digits and there were plentiful slick ice-spots out and around. On Jan 2nd, there were fewer icy bits and the temperature was in the 20s. I was able to get my Valkyrie fully warmed up, ridden and the tank topped off. I went out early the next morning (Jan 3rd) while it was snowing, and pulled the battery out. It was great timing all the way around as we are now in the single digits (sub-zero with wind chill) and far too cold for my poor battery.<br />
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My Joe Rocket jacket, quite frankly, ROCKS! It keeps my core warm and comfy. My legs weren't bad. My favorite trick for down and dirty leg warmth is - rain pants. They block the wind and help hold your heat in far better than leather chaps (plus, unlike chaps, they don't leave your crotch out to freeze in the breeze). On really cold longer rides, you can also layer some long underwear under your pants as well. Me being special, am allergic to most non-natural materials - so I have to not go with the quick-dry dry-silque type materials. One of many reasons that rain pants are always a top ten carried item for me.<br />
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Even my feet and toes weren't too bad. The worst two places for the cold are still the worst two places for me - my face and my hands. I have yet to find a decent pair of gloves for cold weather. I have purchased big, gauntlet-style winter gloves. They still didn't keep my fingers warm and they have the distinct disadvantage of being so big and bulky that it makes handling controls very difficult and uncomfortable. Bulky gloves plus frozen fingers have lead to dropped bikes before. Argggggh. My best bet has been to triple layer - a silk glove, inside a wool glove, that's inside a leather glove. Still some bulk issues and still not half as warm as you need or would like in sub-40 F weather. Perhaps I'll have to do some new looking - it has been awhile and there are new materials and methods available. Gloves are the hardest thing for me to get and like. If you don't get them sized right and they didn't really think through where they put the seams - you end up paying a pretty penny for something that not only doesn't work, but can make your hands miserable (right up through blistering, which is NOT fun).<br />
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So, how was your winter ride? Are you a polar bear this new year, or not? Do you have tips on any great winter gear or winter gear hacks? Please share!<br />
<br />
For fun- Here is a quick article and video on Motorcycle.com called "<a href="http://blog.motorcycle.com/2015/01/02/videos/car-vs-bike-snow-video/" target="_blank">Car vs. Bike, In the Snow + video</a>".<br />
<br />Chaco Kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03560381645041646759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903679997991129011.post-51394879322577232992014-12-26T11:15:00.000-05:002014-12-27T09:07:38.895-05:00DerbyshireOne of the blogs I subscribe to is <a href="http://eightladieswriting.com/2014/12/21/jilly-wood-runaway-match-500-word-short-story/" target="_blank">Eight Ladies Writing</a> and they issued a 500-word story challenge earlier this week. I decided - why not, let's exercise those creative juices. So, here we go - At a slim 431 words. So this is a squeeze in between Writing Wednesday and Flash Fiction Friday. Hope you're having a most excellent and good Christmas holiday season!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLrYOSyqqKnQUctVXtmjBYdt9AgEDodKFtUTUDXL_nJAnDcNC5Fyn5NlE5PCnRU9B7v4jpVClkJXhIzxXiJOJgdRSH5THQ76vp2b1lGg1CHKB7aU_KxVBPeW7IfKkYmeQlvrTEG9ge-uM/s1600/file000665280508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLrYOSyqqKnQUctVXtmjBYdt9AgEDodKFtUTUDXL_nJAnDcNC5Fyn5NlE5PCnRU9B7v4jpVClkJXhIzxXiJOJgdRSH5THQ76vp2b1lGg1CHKB7aU_KxVBPeW7IfKkYmeQlvrTEG9ge-uM/s1600/file000665280508.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: MorgueFile</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
Derbyshire</h4>
<h3>
By PR Henriksen</h3>
<br />
"Derbyshire."<br />
<br />
"It's not Derby-shy-er, it's Der-beh-sure."<br />
<br />
"What'evs. Why'd you drag me here?"<br />
<br />
"Mom always said if we got into real trouble, we needed to come home."<br />
<a href="" name="more"></a><br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
Darcy did her slow-mo hair flip thing, sending a wave of perfectly lit, sunset-auburn hair out into the ether.<br />
<br />
"Have you heard our accents? The only thing local about us is your new woolly 'jumper'. Why can’t they just say ‘sweater’ anyway?" Her pouty, pale face seemed a little more translucent than normal.<br />
<br />
I headed toward the green hill mom had described. Now, it seems oxymoronic to say that amongst a congregation of green hills, but mom was right, I could feel myself being pulled to just one. I saw an opening, partially hidden, behind a really gnarled, arthritic looking ash tree. As we approached, one of the lowest branches seemed to be waving us on in. How very friendly….and a little creepy.<br />
<br />
"A cave?! You dragged us across the ocean for a cave!"<br />
<br />
"Man made."<br />
<br />
"What?" <br />
<br />
"A mine." <br />
<br />
"Good thing there's no volcano nearby, you'd probably have us jump in!"<br />
<br />
The cave seemed to light up around us. As we got further in, additional chambers opened. We went into the best lit one. There were shelves filled with objects and books. There seemed to be no moisture, so the preservation was magically good. One box glowed blue around the edges, and I retrieved it.<br />
<br />
"We are here for a stupid box, in a stupid cave, in the middle of Britain?!"<br />
<br />
"No, we're here for you. You're in big trouble." I looked right at her. “Remember that auto accident?"<br />
<br />
She nodded. "Yeah, so what, I'm still here."<br />
<br />
"Are you?"<br />
<br />
She looked down at her designer self, including the nearly six-inch, spiked heels. "Yep, sure am."<br />
<br />
I opened the box. The blue glow oozed out and wrapped around her. <br />
<br />
"Hey, what's happening?"<br />
<br />
"Hopefully something miraculous.” Though pulsing in blue, Darcy seemed to be growing more translucent and faint, even as I breathed. “This will either heal you, or this will be goodbye."<br />
<br />
"Goodbye?"<br />
<br />
"You're a ghost Darcy. If you're going to haunt me, I'd rather it be with a crazy, new boyfriend next Christmas, not as a permanent ghost of Christmas past."<br />
<br />
The last things to disappear were her overly large “incredu”-eyes and her fiercely tapping, pointy red toes.<br />
<br />
<br />
“I love you Sis.” <br />
<br />
I closed the box and re-placed it on the shelf while thanking mom and whoever had given us this chance. I grabbed a roll and a piece of cheese from my backpack and ate in blissful silence. Looking around, I wondered where to begin.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Chaco Kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03560381645041646759noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903679997991129011.post-55642295684275418942014-12-22T12:01:00.001-05:002014-12-22T12:05:35.001-05:00Moto-Monday: Classics<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjML9KV-S16VaIVzDAcIsfk9nbK62owZDv1TSUMPNLaSDXx4d4Od8BWtHOEQRmaRoMOx2O_UGmtsC62Gzy7xbX03ta9CLrxSLdLfp4aN9_F9XgOIwrGdewL4XBsDFI5BCALZR3lqvEJq3E/s1600/steve-mcqueen-husqvarna-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjML9KV-S16VaIVzDAcIsfk9nbK62owZDv1TSUMPNLaSDXx4d4Od8BWtHOEQRmaRoMOx2O_UGmtsC62Gzy7xbX03ta9CLrxSLdLfp4aN9_F9XgOIwrGdewL4XBsDFI5BCALZR3lqvEJq3E/s1600/steve-mcqueen-husqvarna-01.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo Credit: June 1971 – Steve McQueen by Heinz Kluetmeier/Sports
Illustrated/Getty Images</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As the weather is not currently very nice up here in Michigan (the riding season does NOT go into December for us), you have seen that moto-mondays have been very skinny lately. The exceptions for riding at this time of the year here are: a really desperate need to ride, a road dry and clear of ice, a nice warm coat with winter riding gloves, and you were able to put the battery back in for a "quickie" (ride that is). They also have a "polar bear" club up here for such individuals. The idea is that we go out for such a ride on New Year's Day. Amazingly, I have been able to do this about 65% of the time over the last decade plus.<br />
<br />
Consequently, I saw this picture of Steve McQueen pop up on my Facebook feed today, and was reminded of the great article it was attached to. A few years back I found some photos of an old 1971 Sport's Illustrated article about Steve McQueen. He always saw himself as a rider and a racer first (both motorcycles and cars) and then other things fell in line later. The pictures I saw of the article were good enough to read and it was neat to see and hear from Steve in that fashion - a rider, mechanic, tweaker of mechanical goodness.<br />
<br />
Well, I found that someone had posted that same article - much more readable (especially on an iPad or phone) than looking at pictures of the original article. So without further ado - I'm going to send you to another blog, <a href="http://selvedgeyard.com/2012/09/24/steve-mcqueen-aka-harvey-mushman-rides-again-vintage-si/" target="_blank">The Selvedge Yard</a>, to enjoy this classic article.<br />
<br />
Let's check back in a couple of weeks and see if any of us were able to be polar bears this year. :D <br />
<br />
<br />Chaco Kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03560381645041646759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903679997991129011.post-66084508186980583222014-12-12T05:00:00.000-05:002014-12-12T05:00:04.631-05:00Dear Santa<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhPemJJPzeU1aIcwlNyQfWcfXpnGE4ZxYoSL87DSONyysMvtrhCYh9oUoSe5lvoSFsqTcYS54Nz0O4SVF1rqI_JXGQgYxrV9jCAVhxzV-0TM5QC_2B-eXxsIi82Jivvu3eMXZmW60UuE/s1600/yorkieinbasket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhPemJJPzeU1aIcwlNyQfWcfXpnGE4ZxYoSL87DSONyysMvtrhCYh9oUoSe5lvoSFsqTcYS54Nz0O4SVF1rqI_JXGQgYxrV9jCAVhxzV-0TM5QC_2B-eXxsIi82Jivvu3eMXZmW60UuE/s1600/yorkieinbasket.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit - morguefile.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
Dear Santa-
<br />
<br />I know you're not a dog, but I figured if you like reindeer, you probably like dogs too.
<br />
<br />I've had a few accidents. I got a little scared when I was left
alone. I got out of the puppy mill, but I lost my family. They got
sick.
<br />
<br />Now I'm with a new family. I have a mom, puppy sisters, and
grandparents. I want to stay. You can give all my treats to my sisters.
Just put in a good word with mom. It was supposed to be temporary, but
we love each other.
<br />
<br />Thanks, Tawny </h3>
<br />
<br />
************************************ <br />
Feel free to write and add a 1-100 word "Dear Santa" post of your own.<br />
<br />
PS.... If you can - Senior Pets make great companions. They are pre-stuffed with so much personality and love that you just can't believe it, until you experience it for yourself.<br />
<br />
The above picture is a "stock" picture of an awesome senior yorkie....<br />
<br />
Here are my girls (toy schnauzers) and my current foster fluff yorkie - Ms Tawny (she's been with us for 6 months now):<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8AAGuamKaI9ZiIbTjrCVDZ4OjQLiAESWHBVMVQJI26Pu_8csc9n_nXayd_vJf-ZSay2y118eGA1SecpQSspyir8LbzI0mcEf_jqbcth4GiUqOejDkFypGVa-zcIcjGfFghJxKRde6Jc/s1600/MommasGirls2014xmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8AAGuamKaI9ZiIbTjrCVDZ4OjQLiAESWHBVMVQJI26Pu_8csc9n_nXayd_vJf-ZSay2y118eGA1SecpQSspyir8LbzI0mcEf_jqbcth4GiUqOejDkFypGVa-zcIcjGfFghJxKRde6Jc/s1600/MommasGirls2014xmas.jpg" height="293" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss Daisy, Ms Tawny, Miss Pepper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Chaco Kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03560381645041646759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903679997991129011.post-83307829159270641642014-12-10T15:24:00.000-05:002014-12-10T15:33:22.885-05:00Some Favorite Writing Things<h3>
Writing Wednesdays</h3>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisff-Vz0VNxBfIJe9i88-gzCTcDQPz4KrRFhXKXknuta_vyd4SZLgkuw_o5tHonKUdOfijsGY1AOq1wc8A-JAr-qvgoo_ilnw60ufnFuGZNSP1c3jKFBy-aqIx6GDDw4RzNwlHvytxhqE/s1600/file9111254094747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisff-Vz0VNxBfIJe9i88-gzCTcDQPz4KrRFhXKXknuta_vyd4SZLgkuw_o5tHonKUdOfijsGY1AOq1wc8A-JAr-qvgoo_ilnw60ufnFuGZNSP1c3jKFBy-aqIx6GDDw4RzNwlHvytxhqE/s1600/file9111254094747.jpg" height="320" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: MorgueFile.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It is the season of sharing. Many of you may also be exhausted from NaNoWriMo. And some of you may be struggling with writing issues or finding a place to recharge. So, here are some of my favorite places to hang out.<br />
<br />
I think I've mentioned that romance, as a genre, is not really my writing forte, but amazingly many of the following list are full of romance writers (and others). Don't be put off if you don't write, breathe, or strip for romance, these are all GREAT resources for story, how story works, why it does and doesn't work, and everything writerly - not just romancey (although you'll find that too). <br />
<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://ce.savvyauthors.com/" target="_blank">Savvy Authors</a></h3>
This site is a great place to hang out as an author. Although there are a lot of romance writers here - that is not all there is. If you want to discuss craft or bone up on your craft, this is a great hang-out with many resources - free and premium.<br />
<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://storywonk.com/" target="_blank">StoryWonk</a></h3>
Basically a "wonk" is an over-zealous nerd - in this case for "story". This is a great writer spot with Lani (romance/paranormal romance) and her husband Alistair (sci-fi/fantasy) - where they wonk out over story - in writing, in film, on tv... Whereever great (or not so great) story is found, they will be there, sharing it with you. They have classes, resources, and much writerly goodness. Best of all check out their multiple Podcasts of pure StoryWonk goodness. <br />
<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://www.arghink.com/" target="_blank">Arg Ink</a></h3>
Jennifer Cruise (romance and more) writer. Also a genuine story wonk kind of gal. Discuss story and all things writing with Jennifer. (And absolutely check out her over-the-top "story boards". She is like the Bob Villa of story boards!)<br />
<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://eightladieswriting.com/" target="_blank">Eight Ladies Writing</a></h3>
Jennifer Cruise was teaching a college course in writing and these gals were in the course together. Again, there is a lot of "love" here, but better, there is a lot of writing goodness here.<br />
<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://www.hemingwayapp.com/" target="_blank">Hemingway Editor</a></h3>
New cool "toy" of the week. How about being able check the readability and grade-level of your article or page? You can do it here. Neat toy/tool to check out.<br />
<br />
<br />Chaco Kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03560381645041646759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903679997991129011.post-78912761699252911092014-12-05T16:29:00.001-05:002014-12-05T16:29:24.282-05:00Masks<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ht81Eh5KyQndagsfJ9JmTWzDi2B-gZ0EE4PhlfoO-RcTEQQhvHf15gN6K_RC3UvFfvL5_fXNfDeFCS_Z6pWUa1DMP8EC_neVFl_7OOXq6KlNjAv3tXA1jEkyteFMt3K_A8CeqhC9x5A/s1600/file0001824766587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ht81Eh5KyQndagsfJ9JmTWzDi2B-gZ0EE4PhlfoO-RcTEQQhvHf15gN6K_RC3UvFfvL5_fXNfDeFCS_Z6pWUa1DMP8EC_neVFl_7OOXq6KlNjAv3tXA1jEkyteFMt3K_A8CeqhC9x5A/s1600/file0001824766587.jpg" height="229" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: MorgueFile.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
Flash Fiction Friday</h4>
<h3>
Masks</h3>
<i>By PR Henriksen</i><br />
<br />
<br />"Hey Aunt Jill, why don't I get to wear a mask like them?" Patrick said as a loud 9-year old would, while pointing to three people in masks across the office. A whole family sat alone, to the side, of a nearly "at capacity" clinic. <br /><br />We'd waited patiently for more than an hour. I tried not to breath in too deep. I didn't want to catch anything and my nephew wasn't sick either. Patrick was just a superhero-playing boy, with a goose egg the size of jawbreaker on his head.<br /><br />"The sign at the desk says if you've come in from a foreign country or have a cough, please grab a mask."<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />He started to cough. I snorted. Everybody within earshot looked at us in accusation. Couldn't they tell a fake cough when they heard one? Sheeze, this Ebola thing was making people a bit nuts. I didn't stare at them when they coughed or goo oozed from their kids’ noses and they wiped it all over.<br /><br />"Well, I guess you'd better go get one from the desk." I smiled at him and he smiled back. "Just remember Aunt Jill's rule #1."<br /><br />"No baby head-diving, or no choking?"<br /><br />"How'd you get the bump?" <br /><br />"Oh." <br /><br />After about ten minutes with the mask on, he wanted it off, and then it became a protective arm band. More dirty looks. I pulled a water bottle and a pack of cheese crackers from my computer bag. He took them and then he stopped.<br /><br />"Do you have any more?"<br /><br />"Why? Do you think they're going to keep us here past dinner?"<br /><br />He looked over to the family with the masks. There was a girl that looked about his age, along with a mom, dad, and a small baby.<br /><br />"No, but the mask is really hot. I thought she might be thirsty too."<br /><br />I pulled out my other bottle of water and pack of crackers. "Ask her mom if it's ok first."<br /><br />"Ok!" And he bounded across the office as only a happy, energetic kid can do.<br /><br />I saw people look at him like he was crazy. Then they looked at me like I was a bad mother. Whatever. <br /><br />The girl's mom gave the ok and Patrick proceeded to offer her the snacks. She took them, but looked a bit unsure as she touched her mask. Patrick seemed to get it and put his back on. He sneaked a cracker into his mask from the bottom. The little girl relaxed and followed his lead. He did the same thing with the water and she followed again. As soon as the snacks were gone, the family got called up to the desk. The little girl gave Patrick a quick hug, and followed her mom. <br /><br />Patrick came back over and sat by me, mask still on, face bright red.<br /><br />"Thanks for calling me today."<br /><br />"You're not mad?"<br /><br />"Nope."<br /><br />"Are you still going to tell mom?"<br /><br />"Yep!" His eyes shot down to his toes. I leaned over and whispered in his ear. "She won't be mad either." He looked back up at me and I smiled. Superheroes really do wear masks. Who knew? <br /><br /><br />Chaco Kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03560381645041646759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903679997991129011.post-53755930821864663542014-12-02T13:10:00.000-05:002014-12-02T13:11:55.312-05:00Building Author Steam Part Deux<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnRLhNVmPSCgeHHbvUrSHsfBPiymVbvqmRBOdQdUPNVKqfvRZ4HlpH0lfUTOzX5jCw6mfkQwtPuTS5NHG-TED3V8jwjm6nA3BXNR0bmHFwXEEw1cvi9nLWuwuMU2LjQBcJG1fN6KIJtc/s1600/angelaquarlesbw_web2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnRLhNVmPSCgeHHbvUrSHsfBPiymVbvqmRBOdQdUPNVKqfvRZ4HlpH0lfUTOzX5jCw6mfkQwtPuTS5NHG-TED3V8jwjm6nA3BXNR0bmHFwXEEw1cvi9nLWuwuMU2LjQBcJG1fN6KIJtc/s1600/angelaquarlesbw_web2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angela Quarles- Author / Photo credit: Keyhole Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Building Author Steam Part Deux<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Yeah, I’m working with my “Cool” angel this morning)</span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We writers are often a solitary breed, who create worlds and people them in their heads. Getting out into social media and self-promoting can be more than a big deal it can be almost overwhelming for some. Then we are constantly told that not only do we have to have brilliantly written, perfect prose (aka our job as a writer), but we also have to have professional covers, captivating head shots (the photo kind not the killing kind – we can handle that!), a “web presence”, and a “solid fan base”….. BEFORE we are even published! No one asks these things of an actor or a musician, of a PhD or a doctor. No one asks a chef for head shots and his fan base stats. Ok, logic and fairness aside, this is the digital age and people want easy access and cheap thrills now. As authors, we can accept this as a creative challenge and I suggest strongly that we do. I’ll have to ask Angela sometime how long it took her to get to this point. Did she have it all together before her first book, or is it just all coming to its shining glory now that she is ready to release book three? Now that I’ve vented, let’s get back to a writer’s website. <br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
We spoke <a href="http://willwriteforrides.blogspot.com/2014/11/steam-me-up-rawley-and-how-to-build.html" target="_blank">last week</a>
about having a great writer promo packet and an excellent example of a
book release and promo, but I didn’t want to leave you hanging there.
After I looked over Angela Quarles’ promo materials for Steam Me Up,
Rawley, I had to go look at her website. Have I seen fancier? Haven’t
we all (there are some crazy good visual graphics/web gurus out there)?
However, most of what makes a website excellent is more than
over-the-top, state-of-the-art webtastic effects (unless you are a
webtastic graphics guru and programmer :D ). A website’s primary
purpose should be communication. It should give the person visiting the
most information, in the best and easiest way possible. In a marketing
world it should also entice visitors to action. In order to do this
you need to know the audience you are working for and what they might
want, need, and be interested in. Again, Angela is in great form and
miles beyond many top pub’ed authors, let alone fairly newish ones.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://angelaquarles.com/">http://angelaquarles.com/</a><br />
<br />
<h3>
Home</h3>
First off: It’s clean and simple with a touch of the whimsical (I noticed she now has snow gently blowing across it for December). Her home page has her current book information and current news, social media ways to connect with her, a sign-up for her newsletter. Excellent!<br />
<br />
<h3>
Media Kit</h3>
Let’s hit her “Media Kit” next, since we saw a portable snapshot last week. Anything that anyone could want to promote her, or grab to promote her, is there for the easy grabbing. Need a picture? Grab one (multiple sizes, color, BW, with or without pet, etc.) Need book info for posting? Check. Need a blurb with built-in links to tweet quickly or add to an article? Book trailers, side bars, graphics? Yep, it’s there. Go, feast upon its goodness young writing promo padawan. Best part? You can do it too!<br />
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Books</h3>
Yes, you are a writer you should have a section where you can display all of your good works, a virtual book shelf of your own personal awesomeness. This would however, be fairly pointless if you didn’t also give information about the books, and where people can easily get a hold of them for purchase. You may also proudly display your awards here (book awards, not swimming certificates – those go elsewhere). If you have quotes about your book’s awesomeness, this is also the place to put them.<br />
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About</h3>
The two things new fans (or publishers) are going to want to know about are YOUR BOOKS and YOU! So even though most authors would rather post a picture of their cat and talk about the weather than themselves, this is about “self” promotion, not cat and weather promotion. Share. Think of it as practice for the Big-Time when your legions of adoring fans want to know how you’ve been telling stories since you were three years old, and how all of your best ideas come to you while you’re shaving in the shower, trying not to accidentally slice your own arteries with a quad-stacked razor. <br />
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Notice this is Angela’s longer bio, with some additional info about her writing groups and such. Her’s is pretty straight-laced (i.e. clean, simple, short, mostly professional), you can add more or less flair, it’s YOUR page. Think of it as a character description – the fun, meet my character kind, not the overly detailed if he sees a potato bug he’ll shut down in a fit of despair because when he was little his brother replaced the cheese puffs in his lunch with them one time when they were ten. [Insert> swimming certificates can go here :D ]<br />
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News & Events/Mailing List/Contact</h3>
Or, “How to keep up with your favorite author”. These should be givens, right? Enough said.<br />
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Street Team</h3>
I’ve seen this more with romance writers than other genres – but it can be fun. Real, insider’s info for a fan to keep up and share their fandom, of YOU, with others. Street Team members generally get insider information first – like cover previews, sneak peeks, pre-release excerpts, ARCs, promo goodies, etc, and the street team members share their love of you with others, by writing reviews, twitting about new releases, etc. It’s giving your super-fans more, and getting more feet out there pounding the street- for YOU! Shared awesomeness, it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.<br />
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Blog</h3>
There are those magical “they” people out there that say authors should blog – as part of their “being out there”. But I think there are no hard and fast rules on this – it should be what suits you. I think some people feel better blogging and some people feel better “promoting” – both promote and give fans and others access to you. If you can, and have the time, it is double the potential exposure. Many think blogs are fading, while others think they are just evolving. Often, blogs and news can be folded together. It is also an ongoing way of being accessible and interacting with your fans or potential fans.<br />
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For Writers</h3>
As a writer, I love these sections, especially when I can get writerly gems from my heroes. These sections vary as much as individual writers but you can find some real gems out there for specific items ranging from publishing questions, to scene building awesomeness, to how to boost up a sagging middle (in your book!). Again, this section can and is often included in the writer’s blog as often as it is alone.<br />
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Your writer’s website is your online lair, be creative, make it an extension of you and the worlds you create. What was that movie – Oh yeah, Field of Dreams- “If you build it, they will come.” We craft our worlds with care, why wouldn’t we create our online world with the same care?<br />
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Again, as an example, Angela’s website is pretty straight forward in its authorial goodness. Everything in her website is designed to give you anything you need to know quickly, and make it easy to grab that information and share it. If you need an example to steer by, you would do well to spend some time there – and visit your favorite author’s pages, jot down the things you really love as a fan and include those items to make your own super fans!<br />
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<i>Go forth and create! </i></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">*Disclaimer – Now, all of this does not mean that you personally have to design, do the graphics for, program, and maintain your own website. There are those who can help you with that. You will however, Mr./Ms./Otherworldly Author need to know what you want and “write” the information that will go in there.</span><br />
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<br />Chaco Kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03560381645041646759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903679997991129011.post-3079325549979656972014-12-01T05:00:00.000-05:002014-12-01T05:00:10.719-05:00Moto-Tech-Geekery, with Love from Triumph - mostly.<div style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWK9XeJ1kSPk-CgyW_esGvSZBtiq_ebHKHdtKCi2lnrOhb6PYjlDiYNnH-nJaEIsM20wKwNFw6zYPxYAB6GBpZ2X7y9lJ0Amnjm_CKqac4n4sv7R6H9b4aeTvXpuIL9Tpmi_N-TvNEps/s1600/Triumph_banner.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWK9XeJ1kSPk-CgyW_esGvSZBtiq_ebHKHdtKCi2lnrOhb6PYjlDiYNnH-nJaEIsM20wKwNFw6zYPxYAB6GBpZ2X7y9lJ0Amnjm_CKqac4n4sv7R6H9b4aeTvXpuIL9Tpmi_N-TvNEps/s1600/Triumph_banner.PNG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I found this in a Twitter feed from Triumph - I say "Who needs a direction? I just need a bike and a clear sky to steer her by".<b><br /></b></td></tr>
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Ok, I promised some tech geekery. Then I found someone who did it better and faster in my e-mail. I was going to link to the article or the newsletter, but could find neither posted on their website. I also found a great mini write-up on their Facebook page which I will put at the end (some things I want to remember to try.) Hence the Triumph picture on top. The Detroit Dealership/showroom was just down the street from us (literally 2 minutes), until they moved to their current location which is now about 45 min away. I get their newsletters and often drool over others, in warmer locations, riding their iconic-cool Triumph motorbikes. <br />
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No I don't have a Triumph motorcycle currently, yes I have ridden a few including the Rocket 3 (the first year that it came out - I still have the t-shirt and was the first girl to take it out around here - all I can say is Vruuuooooom baby!) <br />
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So, let's talk a bit about winterizing and maintaining your bike (for us poor saps who can't ride year round).<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
The following article is from the "<a href="http://www.triumphdetroit.com/" target="_blank">Triumph Detroit</a> Newsletter" I received 11/13/14. I did not write it and could find no way to link you to it. I highly recommend that you register for the newsletter at their website - it is always worth a look.<br />
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So, I'm guessing, from the picture that Rob, the Tech, wrote this up and he did a great job! Pretty much everything my dad has always mentioned as I've grown up. I put the article as Rob wrote it in blue - I'll make any of my comments in the standard, boring black. :D<br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tech Talk: <i>Winterizing your Motorcycle</i></span></span></h3>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><img border="0" height="91" hspace="5" src="https://col125.mail.live.com/Handlers/ImageProxy.mvc?bicild=&canary=KzCWoKzCna37WFrNna%2fTQ%2bDDeaQ03KBF%2bAWbbr0NCpk%3d0&url=http%3a%2f%2fih.constantcontact.com%2ffs131%2f1102610196665%2fimg%2f196.jpg" vspace="5" width="100" /></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><b> Rob, Tech at Plymouth (MI)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">Not
all of us have a heated enclosure at our disposal to ensure our
motorcycle has the very best protection over the winter months. Although
ideal, it's not the end of the world if you don't. Following some
simple guidelines will have your bike road-ready come springtime.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">Give
it a bath. Washing your bike will prevent things such as bugs or water
spots from corroding paint. After washing, completely dry the surface
of moisture. Afterwards, apply a light lubricant, such as WD-40, to
exposed metal surfaces and add a coat of wax to the painted areas.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><i><span style="color: black;">I do the wash and wax thing, but have never done the WD-40 on exposed metal thing. I have noticed some pitting and yuck over time on my wheels and such, I think I'll do this before I wrap her up this year - she's not as young as she used to be (nearly 15 yrs old now). It would be worth the extra clean up in spring.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">Changing
the oil and filter beforehand is not an absolute must. It is good
practice in maintaining your bike, but we have to remember that these
are not the bikes of old. Motorcycles that were produced with cast iron
engines were more prone to rust gathering inside the motor. Not as
common today, but on defending the old ones, those same bikes would sit
30 years before being cranked over again and outrun and outlast many
modern bikes. So I'll leave this one as a toss up. Changing at the
beginning of the riding season will be suffice. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><i><span style="color: black;">This usually depends on how many miles we've put on them during the year. If we've had a really big trip, the old gets changed after and before winter, if it was mild use, I do slack until spring.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">Fuel
prep is probably the most important. Having not enough fuel in the tank
can result in surface rust very quickly. Fill the tank and add Sta-Bil
to the system to prevent water separation. If the bike is carbureted,
drain the floats. Jets are smaller than the tip of a pen and will clog
easily as fuel begins to varnish. If fuel injection is the case, add
the Sta-Bil and run the bike for 5 minutes to let the fuel additive
reach the entire fuel system.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><i><span style="color: black;">My Valkyrie is carbureted, but I've never "drained the floats". It's a Honda and the darn things just keep on running like champs even with less than perfect maintenance. It's always been our habit to have a full fuel tank before we wrap them up to keep rust at bay. However, I have noticed this year as my bike sat for the entire month of September, while I waited for my license tabs, that she didn't start quite as easy as usual and feels a little yucky as the pistons work. I'm going to get some Sta-Bil and try it this year - she is getting older. We also try to at least start up the engine and get it fully warmed up every month - even if we can't ride and have to put the battery in and then pull it again. This helps keep things moving come spring also.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">Check
your coolant level if you have a water-cooled bike. Keep these topped
off with a 50/50 mixture. Never run straight water through the system -
water will freeze and expand and chances are you'll end up with a
cracked engine block and an empty wallet.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">Lube
the moving parts. There are only a few to keep in mind such as cables,
foot pegs, drive chain, controls and any other pivot points.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><i><span style="color: black;">I don't have a drive chain, I have a cam-shaft :D so no worry on that one. And for the most part my cables have been nearly maintenance free (yes to better manufacturing techniques) - but age wears and if I can't get it done this year (it is looking doubtful with the weather), I will need to do it in spring - but almost 15 years of no fuss - yea, I can't complain. The other thing is tightening. Anything you can check and tighten. I had my steering come a bit loose, in horrible rains, out of state, on a cross-country trip. So, anything you can double-check and tighten, now or in spring - is also awesome!</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">Purchase
a battery tender. It will maintain the battery throughout the entire
winter and ensure the battery stays charged without fear of
overcharging. I cannot stress enough how great these things are!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: black;"><i>Amen, Brother Rob! Amen. </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">For
tires, it's ideal to keep them elevated. But once again, it is not a
must. Preventing flat spots from sitting is the goal. Simply move the
bike here and there to keep tires from remaining in the same spot.
Also, have a piece of carpet or plywood under them to help fight off
moisture from the ground. It's also recommended that you add extra air
to the tires - you can't ride off in the spring with flats. 60 psi
should do.</span></div>
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<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: black;"><i>Cool! We get bad ground moisture with all of the cold. Something under the bike would be nice (being able to bring it into the living room to work on it over the long, cold, boring, very dark winter would be even cooler!). They do get moved a bit. 60 psi would be too high for my tires, but his point is 100% true - we've noticed that we lose an average of 10-15 psi over the winter.</i></span> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">Finally, keep the bike covered. Be sure to purchase a cover intended for motorcycle use to get the best results for protection.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: black;"><i>Yes, bikes get cold too. You don't want to scare them off by letting them see 4 feet of snow, so take precautions and wrap them up nicely. They will thank you. </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;">Spending an hour or two now will guarantee that in a few months, you'll be out on the road for the first snow-free, salt-free, <i>"kind of"</i> warm day!</span></div>
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<i>Again - a big Amen and a hearty round of applause from Rob! </i></div>
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Ok, the next bit of good stuff came from the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/triumphdetroit" target="_blank">Triumph Detroit Facebook Page</a> (posted Nov 7, 2014):<br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Bike dirty? </span></span></h3>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">When in a pinch, RideApart swears by the following six household cleaners:<br /> </span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">
<b>Pledge:</b> Packed with corrosion inhibitors and protective dust film,
Pledge “is probably the most versatile paint cleaner, polisher, chrome
cleaner, dusting agent known to mankind.”</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"> <b>Simple Green:</b>
Non-toxic, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly, Simple Green can
cut through road grime, chain grease, and b<span class="text_exposed_show">ug guts, “yet safe enough to clean wind screen.”</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">
<b>Pine-Sol</b>: Pine-Sol removes residue, grease, and wax buildup from bike
engine parts, aluminum, and steel — while leaving that “fresh pine
scent”.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"> <b>Easy-Off</b>: Designed to eliminate messes from the hottest
places, Easy-Off effectively removes polish, grease, and microfiber
cloth residue.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"> <b>Brasso:</b> Use Brasso to clean and polish your bike’s exhaust, chrome, and aluminum.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"> <b>Wet Ones:</b> These pre-moistened wipes can tackle stubborn bugs, road tar, bird deposits, and greasy hands during cleanup.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><i>I know about Brasso and I am a Baby Butt wipes fan- for many reasons.... but the rest were new and worth knowing! Thank-you nameless Triumph of Detroit posting person.... You are loved. </i></span></span><br />
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">What are some of your favourite tech-tips and hacks? We all want to know. Anything that makes miles of clean-up easier or riding funner - We Want to Know!<i> </i></span></span></h3>
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Chaco Kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03560381645041646759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903679997991129011.post-13500702038275509762014-11-27T00:12:00.000-05:002014-12-01T16:54:58.782-05:00"Steam Me Up, Rawley" and How to Build Your Own Author Steam!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPVNcNyn7_gHY5i8msMrXahSSx23AmTxlwnv7rV6BUUIHv3JasGCCiHmWr5qbmfF06pmqcmRQqbK4LkE18TT01DTbo0-FwKosj9xhRbIHczkWm-hDql1pPSZ43Bggud3VlW6ZhBbz5-Q/s1600/angela_photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPVNcNyn7_gHY5i8msMrXahSSx23AmTxlwnv7rV6BUUIHv3JasGCCiHmWr5qbmfF06pmqcmRQqbK4LkE18TT01DTbo0-FwKosj9xhRbIHczkWm-hDql1pPSZ43Bggud3VlW6ZhBbz5-Q/s1600/angela_photo.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> "Geek Girl Romance Writer" Angela Quarles</td></tr>
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I hope she forgives my lateness. I was going to do and post this article last week for Writer Wednesday, but I ended up in the hospital for the day instead. So, here it goes- the new and quite steamy cover for "Steam Me Up, Rawley" by my critique partner this year, Angela Quarles.<br />
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Now I will be honest, Steampunk Adult Romance is not my specialty (I'm more of an action-thriller, sci-fi, urban fantasy, killer sort, with a side of heavy horsepower.) I do however, love a good story and I do love to write. Angela, for who knows what perfectly good, sane-sounding reason, chose to be critique partners with me earlier this year at Savvy Authors. She didn't even bat an eyelash when I said things like "Couldn't you just land the ballon in the middle of the party and start with the action first?" Her skirts never got frumpled when I said things like "What's with the eyes, why do they keep staring at each other?" And her brass never got tarnished when I said - "Jack the Ripper?!!!! Awesome! Bonus points if you can make the new guy, the dad, and the frien-enemy's husband (the main's ex-fiance), and her boss all suspects!" I think she smiled quietly and sweetly, just like her picture, and stuck the occasional brass hair-pin in a southern, steampunk, voodoo doll (my hip still hurts!).<br />
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As excited as I was to help with her cover reveal, the thing that really made me want to post about it was her and her writer's packet. She is an author "doing it right" - the promotion and exposure thing of course. And here is the beginning of everything. A well done book, professional cover, professional photograph, great tag line and fantastic book blurb, awards coming in, etc. So, admire the blurb and the fantastic cover for a minute and then I'll tell you what else she's doing. So you can prepare too!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIyHDurSaxWnojUa86gcCuiIcjLWi13u6vszrtRPmyqo7Ac6lqrTHyPbenNHf9IvDKLUaZZumkNa6NP2pMETbVmLpE3eXVHcOjo9kXrvMBezpG5-MWDaIqp580gEPWg3MN7YhCjqbv-g/s1600/AngelaQuarles_SteamMeUpRawley_800px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIyHDurSaxWnojUa86gcCuiIcjLWi13u6vszrtRPmyqo7Ac6lqrTHyPbenNHf9IvDKLUaZZumkNa6NP2pMETbVmLpE3eXVHcOjo9kXrvMBezpG5-MWDaIqp580gEPWg3MN7YhCjqbv-g/s1600/AngelaQuarles_SteamMeUpRawley_800px.jpg" height="320" width="204" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cover Art by Kim Killion</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<h3>
And Now - the Book Blurb & Cover!</h3>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #660000;">Jack the Ripper might be in town. But is marriage more terrifying? </span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In an alternate Deep South in 1890, society reporter Adele de la Pointe wants to make her own way in the world, despite her family’s pressure to become a society wife. Hoping to ruin herself as a matrimonial prospect, she seizes the opportunity to cover the recent Jack the Ripper-style murders for the newspaper, but her father's dashing new intern suggests a more terrifying headline—marriage.<br /><br />Dr. Phillip Rawley’s most daring exploit has been arriving at his new home in America in a hot air balloon. A tolerable sacrifice, if it means he can secure the hand of his new employer’s daughter in a marriage of convenience. But Adele works, she's spirited, and she has an armored pet monkey running her errands. Not only does she not match his notions of a proper lady, she stirs up feelings he’d rather keep in tight control.<br /><br />With Adele hunting down a headline and Dr. Rawley trying to protect and pursue her, a serial killer is spreading panic throughout Mobile, Alabama. Can Adele and Rawley find the murderer, face their fears, and discover true love?</span></span><br />
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<h4>
How to Build Your Own Author Steam!</h4>
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This is where it gets to be even more fun. Angel sent out a note asking if anyone would like to be in on the cover reveal or help her out. You signed up for an e-mail. I got a note back with an attached packet of info. The packet contained the information about when you could do the reveal, info about the book, and basically a writers promo packet - I was really impressed. It had the photo of Angela above, two pics of her book cover in different sizes (bigger and smaller), a Word document "Blog Post Items for Angela Quarles' Release" Which included this info:<br />
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<h2>
Blog Post Items for Angela Quarles’ release
STEAM ME UP, RAWLEY</h2>
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<h3>
Book Info
Steam Me Up, Rawley </h3>
New Adult Steampunk Romance<br />
Projected Release Date: Jan/Feb 2015<br />
Length: Novel (95,000 words)<br />
Ebook Price: $3.99<br />
ISBN: 978-0-9905400-3-8<br />
Content advisory: Adult language, explicit sex<br />
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<h3>
Blurb </h3>
<br />
Jack the Ripper might be in town. But is marriage more terrifying?<br />
<br />
In an alternate Deep South in 1890, society reporter Adele de la Pointe wants to make her own way in the world, despite her family’s pressure to become a society wife. Hoping to ruin herself as a matrimonial prospect, she seizes the opportunity to cover the recent Jack the Ripper-style murders for the newspaper, but her father's dashing new intern suggests a more terrifying headline—marriage.<br />
<br />
Dr. Phillip Rawley’s most daring exploit has been arriving at his new home in America in a hot air balloon. A tolerable sacrifice, if it means he can secure the hand of his new employer’s daughter in a marriage of convenience. But Adele works, she's spirited, and she has an armored pet monkey running her errands. Not only does she not match his notions of a proper lady, she stirs up feelings he’d rather keep in tight control.<br />
<br />
With Adele hunting down a headline and Dr. Rawley trying to protect and pursue her, a serial killer is spreading panic throughout Mobile, Alabama. Can Adele and Rawley find the murderer, face their fears, and discover true love?<br />
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<h3>
Bio </h3>
<br />
<u><b>Long Bio</b></u><br />
Angela is a geek girl romance writer. What makes her romances geeky? Whether it's fan girling over Ada Lovelace by having her as a secondary character in Must Love Breeches, or outright geek references with geek types in her romantic comedy with paranormal elements, Beer and Groping in Las Vegas, or going all Southern steampunk in Steam Me Up, Rawley, she likes to have fun with her romances and hopes her readers do too.<br />
<br />
Angela works at an independent bookstore and lives in an historic house in the beautiful and quirky town of Mobile, AL. When she's not writing, she enjoys the usual stuff like gardening, reading, hanging out, eating, drinking, chasing squirrels out of the walls and creating the occasional knitted scarf. She's had a varied career, including website programming and directing a small local history museum, and has discovered that writing allows her to explore all her interests.<br />
<br />
She's an admitted geek and is proud to be among the few but mighty Browncoats who watched Firefly the first night it aired. She was introduced to the wonderful world of science fiction by her father, by way of watching reruns of the original Star Trek in her tweens and later giving her a copy of Walter M. Miller Jr's A Canticle for Leibowitz as a teenager. She hasn't looked back since.<br />
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She has a B.A. in Anthropology and International Studies with a minor in German from Emory University, and a Masters in Heritage Preservation from Georgia State University. She was an exchange student to Finland in high school and studied abroad in Vienna one summer in college.<br />
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<u><b>Medium Bio</b></u><br />
Angela is a geek girl romance writer. What makes her romances geeky? Whether it's fan girling over Ada Lovelace by having her as a secondary character in Must Love Breeches, or outright geek references with geek types in her romantic comedy with paranormal elements, Beer and Groping in Las Vegas, or going all Southern steampunk in Steam Me Up, Rawley, she likes to have fun with her romances and hopes her readers do too.<br />
<br />
Angela works at an independent bookstore and lives in an historic house in the beautiful and quirky town of Mobile, AL. When she's not writing, she enjoys the usual stuff like gardening, reading, hanging out, eating, drinking, chasing squirrels out of the walls and creating the occasional knitted scarf. She's had a varied career, including website programming and directing a small local history museum, and has discovered that writing allows her to explore all her interests.<br />
<br />
She has a B.A. in Anthropology and International Studies with a minor in German from Emory University, and a Masters in Heritage Preservation from Georgia State University. She was an exchange student to Finland in high school and studied abroad in Vienna one summer in college.<br />
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<u><b>Short Bio</b></u><br />
Angela Quarles is a geek girl romance writer whose works includes Must Love Breeches, a time travel romance, and Beer & Groping in Las Vegas, a geek romantic comedy in novelette form. She has a B.A. in Anthropology and International Studies with a minor in German from Emory University, and a Masters in Heritage Preservation from Georgia State University. She currently resides in a historic house in the beautiful and quirky town of Mobile, AL.<br />
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<h3>
Author Links </h3>
Website: http://bit.ly/VMFK00<br />
Blog: http://bit.ly/WkQbXG<br />
Join my mailing list: http://bit.ly/1sde3Qi<br />
Paranormal Unbound, the group blog I belong to: http://bit.ly/1sdaIRa<br />
Twitter: http://bit.ly/Se5gQ0<br />
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/VMFT3L<br />
Pinterest: http://bit.ly/1qRhgHQ<br />
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<h3>
Book Links </h3>
Amazon: http://bit.ly/SMURAmz<br />
Kobo: http://bit.ly/SMURKobo<br />
iTunes: http://bit.ly/SMURApple<br />
Nook: http://bit.ly/SMURBN<br />
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1pcvD23<br />
Steam Me Up, Rawley board on Pinterest: http://bit.ly/10xPdRA<br />
Official Book Page: http://bit.ly/SMURBook
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Angela had this info in a Word .doc. You might ask, "Well, why not a .pdf?" A .pdf file is great if you are concerned about giving out something like a flier that you have to have maintain it's "look" (i.e. spacing, font, colors, arrangement). However, for the purpose of getting info out and making it accessible and easy-to-use for a blogger to grab chunks of information to post, having it in a Word .doc was the far better choice. When you looked at it, it mostly held the "look", but is far better as a tool for getting your information out there because a vast majority of people have and use Word. Everything was in there- info about her, the book, how to be in touch with her and how to find and reach her in just about every viable medium. She's got an expanded version of this information on her website that includes her other books, easy tweet, tweetable blurbs, etc., in her Press Kit area. Anything that makes saring the good news as quick and easy as possible for people. Very smart and well thought out. She said the she's noted a lot of authors tend to forget about things like a press kit, but said it has worked out well for her so far. She said that she was getting hits from bloggers, folk, and regular press people almost as soon as it was up. Easy, economical, exposure for the cost of a little time and some word-smithing. Sound doable- if you want to be sucessful.<br />
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<div>
I know this has been a lot of information for many burned out NaNoWriMo minds. So, let it sit until next week and then look at it again when you are having NaNo withdrawl over the next week or two. Then come back and create your info pack- Angela's is a great model and starting point. You're an author - get your shit together! (Yes, this includes me too.) Next time we'll talk about all the stuff she's doing right on her author website (p.s. She's doing great with it!). And why you should be doing it too. </div>
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If you're still too burned out, consider a hot romance novel to relax your mind.<br />
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Chaco Kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03560381645041646759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903679997991129011.post-72169964362415148902014-11-25T10:30:00.000-05:002014-11-25T10:30:52.299-05:00Moto-Tuesday, because Mondays Just aren't Enough!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCD_WRc_HGliJ7cUyLusheiYfXE1tADVaky1nhRXYfc2ZruedcSpEWLg3AS7wQnoN9xFhpccpt_eww1G8jwo9skWw8zB19zqyg9_o7EW-YGS1O8lBz9XorxGlXdFzoHAkMjNsG1vexTA/s1600/Ride_SteveMcQueen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCD_WRc_HGliJ7cUyLusheiYfXE1tADVaky1nhRXYfc2ZruedcSpEWLg3AS7wQnoN9xFhpccpt_eww1G8jwo9skWw8zB19zqyg9_o7EW-YGS1O8lBz9XorxGlXdFzoHAkMjNsG1vexTA/s1600/Ride_SteveMcQueen.jpg" height="296" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think Steve would be ok with even tweaking this to say- "Riding is life. Anything before or after is just waiting."</td></tr>
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<h3>
Quick Catch-up</h3>
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No, I haven't forgotten you dear blog or blogmates, life just took a few unexpected turns over the last month. Fall has been something else this year! There have been multiple hospital trips for kidney stones (not mine thankfully), and most of a week off for zero lower back cooperation (yep, this one is me).<br />
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I've been gathering a bunch of thoughts and info, it will probably be best to split this into two articles. So, I'll do this one as the fun one and then next one as the "mechanical stuff".<br />
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Over the last month, I'm pleased to say I have been able to ride in to work on two of the four Mondays. My bike is currently in the garage shivering and together we are deciding if I'll get to ride on my birthday (this Friday), which I was able to do last year - it was cold, but clear, or If I need to pull the battery, and wrap her up for the season. (I honestly don't feel that a snow blower is in ANY WAY a reasonable substitute for my bike!)<br />
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So, let's ride!<br />
Quite appropriately I started with that picture of Steve McQueen. Now, I've always loved Steve McQueen - what's not to like, he loved fast motorcycles and fast cars. He was even kicked out of art college at one point for driving his motorcycle through the student union or admin building. <br />
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<h3>
On Any Sunday </h3>
I was of the age, when it came out, to go to the movies to see On Any Sunday with my dad (yes, we went more than once and yes, they put it out more than once). The original, by Bruce Brown first premiered in 1971. Back then there were no videos or dvds or iTunes, so you saw it at the movie theater or drive-in and then you might see in on tv sometime in the future, or sometimes, especially if it was a limited first release, they might re-release it later, sometimes even more than a year later. (I know, how did we ever handle the waiting!) Ordinary motorcycle guys were in it- some racers, some riders, some Sunday day trippers, and some actors, one of whom was Steve McQueen. If you didn't really know or like him before, when you saw him as an average motorcycle riding/ motorcycle loving "Joe", you started. It became an unusual sensation - for anyone who rode any type of motorcycle in any type of motorcycle activity, any where in the world, this movie was you. Back in the day things didn't go "viral" but they could become cult classics. It is all about the love and obsession many of us have with motorcycles. It made household names and heroes,for some of us, of Malcolm Smith, Mert Lawwill, and others.<br />
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Then Steve died and the movie somehow ended up tied in with his estate (his production company was noted on the film) and then no more On Any Sunday for more than a decade. Eventually VHS machines were born and video stores came into being, things were worked out, and we were able to see it again. They eventually even did some follow-ups: <br />
<ul>
<li>On Any Sunday II (1981), starring Bob Hannah and Larry Huffman</li>
<li>On Any Sunday: Revisited (2000), by Dana Brown</li>
<li>On Any Sunday: Motocross, Malcolm, & More (2001), by Dana Brown</li>
</ul>
Yes, I have seen and own them all. Although #2 was not nearly the same same level of "Wow!" as the first one, it was still awesome and had some of the next generation of racers. If you are a fan of the original and you have seen "Revisted" or "Motocross, Malcolm, and More, you need to. You will enjoy them immensely. It was fun in "Revisited" when they spoke with even new generations of moto-heros like Travis Pastrana who said that some of who they were and their love of motorcycles came from watching On Any Sunday. Many dads took their kids in part to share their love of all things motorcycle with them. It was literally life-changing for many people.<br />
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<h3>
Enter, On Any Sunday, The Next Chapter</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC64Cc5Ikaqv1VkAi7GjFjldPkN-avlTCxdJUpDW1xZH0IPMD7mLye9duCmc2SQD_wtKNGdE_M7RaKbHvNJ2GIVAiLgUTJoYXj8k-8pJLaHFzmaocxq_7-bgaVfUwzgve7uOH40GQ-7lA/s1600/IMG_7952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC64Cc5Ikaqv1VkAi7GjFjldPkN-avlTCxdJUpDW1xZH0IPMD7mLye9duCmc2SQD_wtKNGdE_M7RaKbHvNJ2GIVAiLgUTJoYXj8k-8pJLaHFzmaocxq_7-bgaVfUwzgve7uOH40GQ-7lA/s1600/IMG_7952.JPG" height="181" width="320" /></a></div>
So, color me supremely happy and surprised when two and a half weeks ago I found out there was a bright, shiny, new On Any Sunday movie coming out: <a href="http://www.onanysundayfilm.com/" target="_blank">On Any Sunday, The Next Chapter!</a> by Dana Brown. I hadn't heard anything about it until I got a newsletter from ClassicBikes - talking about it. It is currently is limited release all over the country (USA - I'm not sure about international release information). Do yourself a favor and go see it!<br />
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The film quality, imagery, and artistry are great, they exceed the original. I went with my dad, of course! And though there weren't many people in the theater for our showing - Sunday morning early (a very appropriate movie choice for a Sunday I thought :D) - it was an instant group of friends who had almost all experienced the original in theaters. An older guy with a side-kick said, "I went and saw the original with my dad, and now I'm here with my son." We all nodded knowingly and smiled.<br />
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The original On Any Sunday film managed to both show a cross-section smorgasbord of dozens of types of motorcycle racing, in a myriad of places around the world, AND have a bit of a story line as it followed a few select racers through a race season, like Mert Lawwill. My father's complaint with the new show what that he felt like they did have as much of a story line as the original. I myself was hoping to see some of the newer evolutions of the sport from the original like Endro-Cross (in an area - a cross between motocross and some endurance trials all on a man created course where you can watch everything because it is neatly contained in an arena). I also would like to have seen some of the indoor trials (again - they've taken the fun craziness that is trials- upped a few levels of nuts and brought it indoors where people can actually see and appreciate it). I also think it lacked some of the international flavor that they somehow managed to get into the original (mostly with the International Trials we saw Malcolm Smith participate in, over in Europe - which I happily found out this year, they still do!).<br />
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Am I disappointed? Heck no! I loved On Any Sunday, The Next Chapter! My eyes were as wide open as they could be, my mouth dropping to the floor from time to time, and tears falling from my eyes by the time we left. Some of the new things that I loved (maybe because I am a girl) - How many cute, curly haired little girls were getting out there and mixing it up with the boys on the track, flinging mud as good as they got. And I'm really, really looking forward to On Any Sunday, the Nextest, even Niftier Chapter. When you see how many of these daredevil and motorcycle dad's have daughters and how many have and are picking up their love of all things moto from their dads, you'll realize that the next film may well be the girl power generation!<br />
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I am one of those girls. I rode on the tank/handlebars in front of my dad, I've ridden cross-country behind him, I've seen him do trials, and flat out dirt bike racing. I saw the original On Any Sunday with him and I still ride with my dad (on my own bike, of course) as often as possible. He's my motorcycling buddy. Yes, we should've been in church that Sunday, but it wasn't the first and it won't be the last, sometimes you just gotta ride - On Any Sunday!<br />
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Penny <br />
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<br />Chaco Kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03560381645041646759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903679997991129011.post-32303836907914414822014-10-24T09:46:00.000-04:002014-10-24T09:46:54.624-04:00Fall- A Sexy and Splendid Thing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Fall- A Sexy and Splendid Thing</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Fall, you sexy, teasing thing.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You appeal to us with colors as vivid or more than spring.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Then you do that "fall" thing.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You change your colors, dance in the breeze, drop your leaves, and go naked for all the world to see.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Right when most would cover up, you expose your bare branches, and wait....</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You wait until winter comes and drops a velvety, white robe of snow upon you, glittering like icy diamonds in the moonlight. </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Then you shake it all off, dig deep within, and grow vibrant and green again.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Few things are more magical, sexy, and splendid, than the beautiful earth, relaxing and renewing in her confidence of the days to come. </span></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
By PR Henriksen</h3>
<br />Chaco Kidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03560381645041646759noreply@blogger.com1