Be right back…we will return after this break!

Hey there stranger!  Thanks for coming back and checking in with me.  I enjoy our time together, which is why this post isn’t a very fun one to write.

I’ve noticed for quite some time that my posts just aren’t as creative, clever or entertaining as I think they could/should be.  When I started this blog, I was simply using it as an outlet for me to write about anything and absolutely everything…as you witnessed.  I got in a pretty good rhythm, churning out anywhere from 1-3 posts per week.  Keeping in mind how long my typical post is, that’s a lot to keep up with!  Lately, the ideas have started to subside, and I’ve found myself being forced to actually put forethought into what I want/should/could write about.  Writing random blog posts has almost become a bit of a chore…kind of like an obligation to crank one out every so often.  Don’t get me wrong, I still LOVE writing, but I think my brain may be switching gears on me.  I’ve been in a bit of a creative tornado lately with projects and ideas for more projects whirling around uncontrollably.  Let the excuses begin!

As previously noted, I have begun my endeavor into creative writing by starting to whip up some fictional short stories.  With that commitment comes less time to ponder the pointless things that I’m associated with.  More time is needed to concoct elaborate storylines, develop rich characters, and figure out plot twists.  Going along with that, my mind is much more pre-occupied trying to figure all of this out and actually portray my thoughts successfully.

Another factor is a lack of worthwhile subjects to write about.  Instead of ideas popping into my crazy little peanut brain like they used to, I have had to actually put thought into things that I CAN write about…not necessarily something that I WANT to write about.  Big difference there.

Also, the timing will be something to consider now as well.  With numerous holidays coming up, I anticipate being much busier and just not having the time required to sit down and spew out 1,000 words. 

If you’re not picking up what I’m putting down here, I’m basically just announcing that my ramblings will be slowing down for a while.  There will no doubt still be things for me to write about and share with you, but the frequency will be taking a noticeable hit in the very near future.  I still have a few ideas in mind to work on, so I’ll still be posting from time to time…just not as often as we’ve all been accustomed to.  Thanks for sticking with me, and when I have something fun to share, you all will be the first to know!

Thank you, that is all.  But just for now.

Help wanted

Calling all bookworms! 

As I have been pouring blood, sweat, and tears over my keyboard trying to crank out some light reading for the masses, I keep coming to the realization that I don’t really know what I’m doing.  Here’s where you could step in.  I’m looking for proofreaders, editors, and critics to provide HONEST feedback, tips, and suggestions in order for me to turn something out that people might find interesting/entertaining, and NOT be a complete waste of time.  If you enjoy reading and have any interest in short stories, mystery, or fiction, then please email me!

Thank you, that is all.

Soundtrack of my life: Devil’s Night

With Halloween on the horizon, I think it’s about that time for another rundown through the playlists of my life.  This time: Halloween.  (Good guess.)  Before Halloween rolls around though, you have to get through the night before it.  Historically known as Devil’s Night.  I’ll open up and share with you the haunting playlist that I carefully put together so I’d have something to rock out to while small children attacked my doorbell looking for handfuls of candy. 

Motoring Monday – Bikes for everyone!

Hey there, thanks for coming back!  Next up in our semi-irregular series explaining the motorcycle culture: Bikes for everyone!  *Crowd cheers ecstatically*  Thought you just hit the jackpot of blog giveaways, didn’t you?  Sorry to disappoint.  You get no free bike and are only left here, stuck with having to read on before I get to the point.  Which is: Types of motorcycles.

If you have ever paid attention to passing motorcycles, you have no doubt noticed that they come in all shapes and sizes.  It’ll be my responsibility to describe them all (or at least most-okay, well…some) and maybe explain the people who ride them.  Maybe.  If we’re lucky.

Thinking outside the canvas 4

Clever title, huh?  Hey, cut me some slack…they can’t all be winners!  If you can’t get past MY lack of creativity, then I will offer you the creativity of others.  It’s about that time where I bring you some clever and intriguing artists who take their talents far beyond the confines of a canvas.  Readysetgo!

Fresh Meat Friday – The fever is spreading

Last time, I went to my first roller derby bout.  I enjoyed it so much, I went back the first chance I got!  After sharing the experience with a group of friends, I realized that I’m not the only one with an intense infatuation for the sport.  So my wife and I loaded up our car with a couple of friends and headed into the sprawling northern Indiana cornfields.

After our hour voyage, we turned into the parking lot at Gibson’s Arena and tried to find a parking space.  The lot was packed, so we just kind of “made” a spot somewhere in front of the building.  It worked out great!  Having spent almost a decade of my young adult life in Muncie, I had never been remotely close to the only skating rink in town.  After going there, I’m not sure why.  The decor may be a little out of date, much like most small-town roller rinks, but the floor seemed to be in good shape at least!  Maybe a lot was hidden by the lack of lighting in the joint.  We may never know.  The image I had in my head last time,  going into my first roller derby event, was validated this time once I paid the admission and walked through the entrance.  The lights were dim (no matter what the picture below may reveal), the carpeted furniture was aplenty, and the concession stand was next to the pro shop, right where you would expect it to be. 

Motoring Monday – Biker lore

Ever notice a small bell on a big, bad, bikers motorcycle and wonder why the seemingly out-of-place, dainty little object was there in the first place?  Well, it serves as more than decoration…there is a very specific purpose for the little noisemaker.  Here are a couple popular explanations that will give you a little more insight into the biker culture…

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As you are probably well aware, there are many unexplainable mysteries in life, such as mechanical problems once you get too far from home, but not close enough to your destination.  In the biker world, those instances are blamed on evil road spirits, or “gremlins.”  They are responsible for a vast array of problems – like when your turn signals fail to work, the battery dies, or you have problems shifting. 

Short stories – My venture into legitimacy

I have been a die-hard fiction junky for as long as I can remember, and I’ve always harbored the idea of trying to write my own mystery someday.  A large reason for starting this blog in the first place was to get some practice writing, hone my skills, and develop my style.  (Did you check the link to see what it was?  Man, I got you so good!) 

Well, as you can tell from the title of this post, it appears that time has nearly come.  A little while back, inspiration struck.  A thought hit me and I got several ideas for some short stories.  The ideas persisted to pester me, and I have decided to begin working on a series of short-and-sometimes-not-so-short-stories.

I have thrown myself into more murder mysteries than I can recollect, and I’m starting to think that I may have learned a thing or two from them.  With prior life experiences that I prefer not to discuss, my background in criminal justice, and influences such as Harlen Coben, Dennis LeHane, James Patterson, Patrick J. O’Brian, Dean Koontz, and Dan Brown, how could I possibly go wrong?

So turn out the lights, crawl in bed, throw a sheet over your head, grab a flashlight, and immerse yourselves into my foray into “fiction.”  Or is it?

In case you missed it, here’s the link again.  Man, you’re so difficult sometimes!

Thank you, that is all.

National Toasted Marshmallow Day

August 30 was National Toasted Marshmallow Day.  No, for real. I can’t make this stuff up.  Well, I certainly COULD, but I’m not.  I swear.  My wife has a crazy sweet-tooth, so I tend to believe her when it comes to news about sweets. 

She brought this to my attention earlier this week and suggested that we start a fire in our backyard and make s’mores.  Because our last attempt at starting a fire went so well…  Ahem, sarcasm!  Cough, cough.  Needless to say, we still had some fire wood left over!  We also have a small fire pit that previous tenants left behind, and we’ve had an itch to put it to use.  Furthermore, for this past Christmas, my wife requested a cast pie iron often used to make “pudgy pies.”  Since I’m not much of an outdoorsman, those haven’t been put to use yet either.  You guessed it, we decided it was time to break those bad boys out and do some work with a bonfire. 

Motoring Monday – Rules of the road and terminology

There was only one logical choice to kick-start this series with, and that’s the very basics – the unwritten road rules and the lingo that goes along with it.  This post will mainly concentrate on American jargon, but I will add some British slang just because I think it’s cool.  Aaaand we’re off…