Re: Forum Fiction - Merry Xmas!

[gregrowlerson]

You really don't have to read that stuff Mrs Kipia, but  heaps anyhoo    

I like to say that "I'm going off on a tangent" a lot too  

What A Ride It's Been is new, at least posting it wise. The idea came about in early May, but writing it all up and posting it didn't come until June 22. Well, I wasn't going to post it until that day regardless, as that is the cyclist Andreas Kloden's birthday. But I wasn't really talking to him  

I generally sleep pretty well  Yes I do have crazy periods where I am all consumed by various imaginations, but I have a lot of relaxed times too. Like today I wrote this other short story, and it only just came to me and I love it, and then by taking twenty minutes or so to get on here and post it, I was then able to take the pooches on a really long walk and just been really happy and at peace (they were the ones who's minds were wandering all over the place  ). They were not that happy to wait a little longer, but if I hadn't written it then it would have been all consuming my mind on the walk. Well, it still consumes it, but it not it such an intense way  

I have wanted to post heaps on here today, but since returning from the walk the internet has been rubbish (so not uploading pics either  ) and I also got quite angry with Leo as he wouldn't let up with trying to nudge me away from the laptop. Twice I have put him outside; I didn't think it was fair on me as he had just gone for an hours walk; a bit of give and take please buddy! But I am going to let him again in a sec, and then I think we will watch a movie, so some snuggle time.

[gregrowlerson]

I had just been out to buy some relatively expensive alcohol for a good mate, as a big thanks for bailing me out of a major jam on Friday, and for also letting it all die down without any embarrassment. So my plush leopard, being the inquisitive creature that it is, wanted to find out more.

"My boy; is this purchase a reflection on the weather?"

"The weather?" I was kinda stumped.

"In that it is a little freezing."

I cracked up a little. "Oh I get it Leopardy. But there is no r in that, as regal as it sounds."

"No r? Really?"

"No. There are lots of words without r's in them that sound like they might. Take siesta for example."

"Yeah, well maybe that word was just too lazy to finish itself properly."

I cracked up again. This leopard was bloody funny.

"Why didn't you go out though tonight?" the leopard probed. "You know, to that do? Because you have done something weird like that before. And isn't your life all about taking worthwhile risks?"

"Oh that. I did think about it, but then I realised something."

"Which was?"

"I couldn't just go out in public and have abuse hurled at me and be okay with it. I mean I wouldn't be strong enough to handle it."

"But last year you did this?" This plushy was bloody pushy!

"Hmmmm....yes of course. But no matter what, back then, the next day I would have continued to converse with the sweetest of girls. Therefore I could take any hardships and not care, or at least not much. But I don't have that conversation now, and as such I couldn't take such abuse now."

"But you've been wearing a bloody onesie out and about around town! Isn't that practically asking for abuse?" The leopard did have a point.

"I can't be hurt via abuse from just any random," I conceded.

"Ah Ha!" The leopard cried. "So you can be hurt by another then! Didn't you just recently say otherwise?"

"Me?"

"Oh. Perhaps not. Could you stop being so damn ambiguous?!"

I laughed again. This leopard knew how to hit my funny bone. "I will be as I wish."

"Fair enough then. Soooo....much else happen this week?"

"My most important person in the world spoke to me."

"Yay! Did she say much?"

"No, not really. But that's okay. She is safe and well I think. That is the main thingy to me."

"You don't want to talk to her more?"

"Of course I want to talk to her more!" I'm sorry but that question really was rather idiotic. "In fact I could talk to her about a lot of things, in some cases things that I probably haven't even explored fully myself. You know I haven't really been quite as direct and intense with myself and my thoughts the past two to three years as I was prior, as strange as that may sound. Though that's possibly a good thing. I will talk about things if I am meant to. And if she doesn't want me to talk about weirdness then she just shouldn't ask any questions."

Now it was the leopards turn to burst into giggles. "Because you can be asked one question and answer with pages and pages of rambling, as we all know."

You could hear the smirks.

"Do I look adult?" I asked.

"Of course. Why do you ask?"

"I was just asked for ID!" I started to beam again. It really was all so funny.

"Was it some girl trying to hit on you?"

I cracked up again. "Hardly. It was a guy, but I still love that this happened."

"It must have been the beanie."

"That's what he said after about five seconds when he could see that I was so shocked and couldn't wipe the smirk from my face. It's the beanie. I am thirty-two, so it's quite an achievement. Such a classic!"

"So you really think it was the beanie then?"

"No," I responded with a smile. "It was my imagination. It is my imagination that keeps me young at heart. And there is no reason why it cannot always do that."

Later the leopard caught me smiling yet again.

"It can be lovely to be seen, and to know it," I explained. "Especially when it is unexpected. Life is wonderful. Life can bring about some rather extraterrestrial experiences. And that helps to make it smirk-inducing."

[Laikipia]

NOT MANY (another ghost story)

Very P   but I really love it.

It's good that you can write your thoughts and ideas down. When I don't sleep my mind is all over the place and certainly lacks clarity. I am impressed that you have the ability to make sense of all your thoughts GR and get them down on paper or laptop  

Mrs Kipia

[gregrowlerson]

Punching this from phone as internet connection horrendous! Was really mad earlier, then just gave up and been snuggling with pooches in bed and listening to videos of new artist Pavlo Stelar courtesy of the Promethean Jesters! Catgroove is my fav music from the fire show!

Thanks Lai with your gracious comments as usual. I love Not Many. Short & Super Dooper Sweet. Kinda reminds me of someone :-)

[Laikipia]

   

Mrs Kipia

[gregrowlerson]

A SNEAK PEEK?


Weggy did his thingy. Circling the track. Breathing in the fresh air. Feeling alive.

And of course thinking.

She had put him onto this of course. This one foot in front of the other business. Those times with her in Kopavogur were heavenly. But then, he’d decided to make it a little more serious. And maybe racing wasn’t right.

What he did now of course was not competitive, just like in the beginning. We shall call it jogging, not running. Around and around he went, in an apparently meaningless motion. Only it wasn’t meaningless at all.

It had torn him apart to lose her, and later, once discovering that she had found another, he’d gone into meltdown. Summer seemed to be an even more apt name now, given that influence.

Yet as he jogged around the track he realised something of vital importance.

The meltdown was going to happen no matter what. Time delay was not going to change anything. But what mattered would be the feelings in the aftermath.

In the long run, it was going to make him sadder if she found no one than if she did. Because when all is said and done, Summer’s happiness equals Weggy’s, for he – after knowing his influence on her – could never be truly happy again if she was not. He remembered what he had told her.

Never wait and hope for anyone. If you can chase happiness, then spread your wings and fly; like a sparrow, a robin, a grfalcony, or even a blackbird. Live for what is possible, not impossible.

And therefore, as he felt a gentle breeze wash across his face, he felt cleansed. He felt happy to know that she was not putting her happiness on hold. He didn’t know that she was definitely happy yet, but he hoped that she was.

And what if she wasn’t?

Well, if it turned out that she was with someone rubbish, then that would be a whole different story. Because Weggy would only accept the best for his soldier.

Or if that was impossible, then at least the second.

[Laikipia]

That is very profound P   and needs reading again, slowly. Scared my internet will drop off again so will enjoy again later.

Mrs Kipia E  

[gregrowlerson]

Very complimentary on the "profound" Mrs Kipia as it was just a piece of writing that I drummed up in around 30-40 minutes.

As always, a big  

GR    

P.S. Did you get that the concluding line was actually rather arrogant?  

[Laikipia]

Then I am even more impressed GR - that's a quick piece of writing. Arrogant? maybe but then again it depends on your opinion  

Lai

[gregrowlerson]

I think you're right Lai, because it isn't arrogant to be right  

[Laikipia]

  Good answer P   Onesie Man, G       R et al

Mrs Kipia E  

[gregrowlerson]

I just gained some inspiration for a short story :-)

I have the baggage of sleep and work to contend with, but will try and get something together soonish.

Besides, my baggage is really rather light :-)

[Laikipia]

   

Mrs Kipia   

[gregrowlerson]

The  is pointless Lai as it could be about bloody anything  

Nothing written up as such; just getting a few ideas together...hopefully it will amount to something worthwhile.

GR   

[Laikipia]

  there you go, a   to get you fired up ....................    

Mrs Kipia S  et al

[gregrowlerson]

  Mrs Kipia  

I don't think a  is needed though  

Generally speaking, I am taking my time with short stories a bit more now anyway. Those ones posted in June had most of the content come to me in the first half of May, so no rush, no rush, as they say in the classics.

Or say in TSP  

By the way, I really ought to do some work on that  

[gregrowlerson]

I have been doing some brainstorming today about my writing past, and I keep thinking that there was a big black web hole in terms of my creative writing from my song writing (mid '04 to mid '06) to my short story writing (from late April '10 until I die  ), but I keep forgetting that in '08 and maybe '09 I worked a bit on a comedy project, like a sitcom. It was based on the actual American show Curb Your Enthusiasm, so the characters weren't original, but the storylines still were. Will have to see if I can dig that up somewhere in my archives as could be mildly interesting  

GR  

P.S I haven't got into this new short story idea as yet, but hopefully sometime this week  

[Laikipia]

Aha, I see, well I have to admit I don't know Curb your Enthusiasm but I am thinking short stories are a fun idea.

I am still reading TSP although my Shetland photos have priority at the moment, a lot to go through and sort    


Lai

[gregrowlerson]

Well I haven't even found this old 'comedy project', though must admit that I've barely looked at all  It is not on my new laptop, but maybe on my really old one, or on my parents computer. It is no big deal.

I have been happy with my creative mind the past two days. Yesterday whilst driving home a new angle for TSP arrived to me, and it can branch out into some really good humour! And with that I came upon something else that's meaningful that I never put in, but now I can give mention, and it's going to relate to the Sam character. So was pretty chuffed with that.

Also tonight whilst walking the pooches my mind wandered off into some more craziness about this apparent short story that is 'just' around the corner. So I was smiling even more, and now with a couple of pages of rambling notes I should be able to get something done up later this week  

And then late tonight I discover something cookie cool! My favourite writer - who is Holly Smale (from Britain, so your neck of the woods) - is releasing who second novel, Model Misfit, on September 26! Following on from her debut Geek Girl (it's part 2 of this book). Her writing is very imaginative and childish and funny. So I am chuffed about this news too!

In some slightly lesser news I got my hands on the Endeavour series last weekend  I watched the pilot again with my mum, and episode 2 tonight (with Bella and Leo, though I don't think they thought much of the plot  ). I thought it wonderful  Morse was in rare form. Who would have thought that knowing the periodic table could lead to solving a murder case?  

"my Shetland ponies have priority" - this is what I read it as first time around  

GR   

[Laikipia]

  GR - that's a good one. Okay so we can expect some words soonish. I will have to wait for Endeavour to be repeated as I missed its first showing, but I shall look out for the periodic table episode.

Lai  

[gregrowlerson]

Words soonish  Well I have been still been ridiculously lazy  Getting ideas (and then rushing to the laptop to add them) is all well and good, but I am just never getting around to actually sitting down and trying to put something together (which goes for TSP too). Hopefully this afternoon  

I think a lot of it is just the winter cold. It's really quite cold - for me anyhoo  - lately, so extra tempting just to snuggle and watch DVD's, which would also explain why I have been less active on the forum...

I did read over a little of the old comedy project (it was on my hard drive) this week and found it alright, though a lot of it is probably too blue  for publication. There are quite a lot of  jokes  

It's very boyish humour, but also just has a lot of observations on social quirks, and on Thursday without trying to think in this way, it occurred to me that three minor moments in this comedy project can be used in TSP (and there may be more, but I haven't bothered to try looking for ideas on it), and they are good childishness vs. seriousness comparisons, which is really what the book is largely about, particularly the second book as it will have Summer 'turning' serious. A lot of stuff that is socially frowned upon is actually just childish, and can increase happiness, so I want to make some more points in that way in the project.

Two nights ago I had a reread of my speech for my brothers twenty-first from aeons ago at my parents place which gave me some smiles  Maybe I ought to try one for his 30th which is soonish  

Last night I went to a travel agents to explore the possibility of a trip to South America. It's been in the back of my mind for a while, but lazy RVW me, I just don't bother to do anything about it  I have a couple of friends in Brazil from my contiki tour of eight years ago, so have kinda been in contact with one about a holiday. When I was saying "later this year" I don't think she ever thought that I was going to suggest New Years! So she thinks that is a not so good idea as she will probably be elsewhere at this time, and generally most people go on holidays from her town at that time. Also it is very expensive, which the travel agent said last night with my first questions. Main thing is that I got some brochures and am getting more ideas. Argentina looks a cool place to go on a bus tour (another nice place is Guyana which is north of Brazil, very rainforesty and has jaguars! Though has limited tour options), and there is a 10 day tour which goes to Iguassu Falls (my essential if I go to South America), Beunios Aries (so that would give me a big city, I don't necessarily have to go to Rio), plus heads down south with a beautiful lake that the crew take a chairlift over (sounds great!) as well as getting up close and personal with a huge glacier! I think there is a national park in this area too, and most definitely if I can also tee up a little extra journey into Chile, then there is a terrific national park there. So lots to think about. Today I booked in to see another travel agent in two weeks time.

Anyhoo, if I go to South America it would likely be May (which my friend has given the  to), or maybe even a bit earlier and coincide with Easter (take less annual leave days that way).

I was thinking this morning, that I generally don't have expensive tastes in life (which is lucky), except when it comes to travel! My parents will probably jokingly question, "Why don't you just go to Queensland?"  

Other places I would like to go to are Iceland and Africa (safari); none particularly cheap  Perhaps if I share my dogs food for the next eight months I can afford the flights...now how will I run that one past Leo?  

[Laikipia]

 Ooooooooooooh how exciting, planning a holiday is always wonderful and such a great thing to do especially when it's cold and wintery.

I can't speak about all of South America, but have spent some time in Argentina, a really beautiful, diverse and huge country (compared to UK).
Buenos Aires was fantastic, and then we travelled down the right hand coast and ended up on the tip in Ushuaia.  Each area was different, from glaciers to petrified forests (like walking on the surface of the moon - not that I have  ).  It is certainly a country I would visit again as Pete has never been.

So keep on researching and if you can meet up with friends even better!

I so agree about Africa and Iceland you should visit both of those (Iceland on our list too).

Can't wait to hear your ideas after seeing another travel agent.  

ps if you posted this under let's talk I am sure other people would have great suggestions .............  

Lai

[gregrowlerson]

I will make a passing reference to the holiday idea on a less obscure thread at some stage  

That is totally jibbycola that Iceland is on your list!!! Because if I did ever go, then it would be great to meet up with someone; why not you and Pete   There would be a lot of planning obviously, but just throwing that idea out there for maybe mid 2015, 2016, etc...

I am thinking about those hot pools right now  

Pete; "Oh no: Not that onesie guy"  

I could present you with a onesie at Reykjavik airport  

I have had three travel brochures to peruse through, so I think I am pretty set on the Argentina idea for a bus tour. A main thing that would also be good to do in South America is do an Amazon cruise, though you probably can't do everything. Still, they have various 4-6 day riverboat cruises that I may consider, but I don't think that I could be away for any longer than three weeks.

With meeting up with friends it can be difficult, because you can't just expect people to drop everything for you when they have their normal work lives and so forth, so I don't know how the meeting would take place 100%, but I think at least one friend will do her best to see me (I already saw her other friend again and fiancée when they came out to Australia in 2009 which was really nice). My Brazilian friends are the main reason for my liking of beanies  

Bus tours are also essential I believe for my personal safety for some of the trip. I am not sure if you just 'winged' it when you went, but Brazil in particular is notorious for heavy petty crime...I could lose everything; including my onesie  

Though I guess if that was taken off me by an appropriate person then it could be okay  

I have read of Ushuaia, and I think that was included on the 12 day Argentinian tour. It is spoken of as the end of the world because it is the Southernmost city on Earth. Maybe my life is not complete until I go there and to Reykjavik, it's Northern (though bigger I'm pretty sure) cousin  

Petrified forests is a very funny term! Oh no! Lai's coming   

But it does sound like a very interesting country Argentina.

GR    & occasional  

[gregrowlerson]

Its been another beautiful afternoon and evening, with snuggles galore and yet another Lewis watched which made me smile so much (called The Ramblin' Boy). Leo has had so much affection today that I can hear him whimpering in the other room...

Sometimes it's not good to get what we want.

Sometimes.

The next post I make on hear will be for a story. I will not allow another post until then lol. So even if it's just a paragraph (or a sentence) I promise that something is being printed tomorrow. And then hopefully more before that ink dries.

It will be at least a two parter, and could be one of my best.

[Laikipia]

  GR - I am laughing about meeting in Iceland at the airport with a onesie - I think Pete thinks I've lost the plot when I talk about them!

I agree about travelling and trying to meet up with friends, but it's great if it works at some point, always good to meet people who know a place and where to go etc. You are spot on about Ushuaia, they even stamped our passports (just a souvenir stamp). We flew through Argentina really just for time as we were only away 2 weeks and had a lot of ground to cover. I would love to do a 3 week holiday but always struggle with time off.

The Amazon sounds an ace idea, certainly another one on our endless list - mmmm perhaps an adult gap year to travel the world I am thinking  

Losing your onesie     and petrified forest   you do make me laugh  

It sounds like Leo is really a     now and has settled in really well which is such great news. We've no Lewis repeats at the moment, I don't think but I am keeping my eyes open for them  

Good luck with the writing.

Mrs Kipia aka         E  et al

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