Anyone Like Me

When I was fifteen,

I’d been noticing girls.

And I saw this one and thought,

she’d be good to know.

So I sat beside her,

once at lunch,

and then tried to talk.

But she cut me off before a word was out.

Standing up,

she said,

“I’ve seen you around,

“I know who you are.

“I’ve never met anyone like you.

“I’ve heard the stories about who you are,

“I don’t think I’ve ever known,

“anyone like you.

“But I’ve thought about it and I have to say,

“I don’t think I want to be hanging around,

with someone like you.”

Then when I was eighteen,

I moved out from my parents’ place,

telling myself, “You’re finally free.”

I got a job in a coffee shop,

and started making a little more money.

I saw a chick,

at a table,

reading a book,

by Somerset Maugham.

And I thought,

she’d be good to know.

So I sat beside her and tried to talk.

But she cut me off,

with barely a glance.

She said,

“I’ve seen you around,

“I know who you are.

“I’ve never met anyone like you.

“I’ve heard the stories about who you are,

“I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone like you.

“But I’ve thought about it and I have to say,

“I don’t think I want to be hanging around,

“with someone like you.”

When I was twenty-three, I was making a living,

done with college,

I knew

I wasn’t free.

I saw this woman, at this place,

watching me across the room.

She looked okay, but I looked away,

because she reminded me of someone like me.

Next thing I know, I’m looking up,

because a shadow crossed over

the top of my laptop.

I turned to see, who could it be,

but you know, you know,

it was her.

And she said,

“I’ve seen you around,

“I know who you are.

“I’ve never met anyone like you.

“I’ve heard the stories about who you are,

“I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone like you.

“But I’ve thought about it and I have to say,

“I thought I might want to hang around,

with someone like you.”

And I said,

“Yeah, I’ve seen you around,

“I know who you are.

“I’ve never met anyone like you.

“I’ve heard the stories about who you are,

“I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone like you.

“But I’ve thought about it and I have to say,

“You seem to be,

“a lot like me.”

And she said, “Yeah, that’s probably true.

“Because you seem,

“a lot like me.

“I don’t know,

“how it’ll go,

“Let’s just try it for a while,

“and see.”

March 31, 2017 2

The Compulsion

It was between his second and third, or maybe fourth and fifth, pints of a Pacific Ale that he realized he, and his friends, had become zombies.

Mouths slack, they were snarling and growling. Part of his brain still functioned sufficiently to observe and think. Those in the pizza place who were drinking beer were becoming zombies. A young family was about to be attacked and eaten on the other side of the room. The family, and perhaps a few kids that weren’t part of the family, ignorant of their impending fate, were still laughing and yelling and eating pizza. The young parents had their hands full.

There was no more conversations at the table. His friends were eyeing other people as possible meals. Ron was already staggering to his feet. Anyone watching might think he was drunk and going off for a piss.

Screams and shouting with tinges of shock and horror broke out. All his friends rose up, rushing to eat others. He wanted to go to, but —

Beer remained.

He reached for the pitcher. He understood his compulsions and what kind of zombie he was.

March 31, 2017 0

Get Going

Get going, get going,

rise up, do your thing.

What do they say, just do it?

Get going, get going,

drink the coffee, eat the food,

get dressed and go.

Get the house cleaned and the bed made,

don’t pause, just go.

Get to work, get to class,

get up and get off your lazy ass.

If you want to be something, you know what you gotta do,

you want to get it done, here’s advice for you.

Get going, get going,

rise up, do your thing.

Time didn’t wait for anyone else,

time won’t wait for you.

March 31, 2017 0

Inspirational Quote # 591

I was reflecting on something like this today. After writing my novel’s “new words”, I walked away and thought, I’ve captured the essence of the action. Now I need to slow down and add the poetry of life. Oh, but that will extend the novel’s length and the time it takes to get it out there. I need to be more concerned about how good it will be and less concerned about ‘getting it done’.

Today, You Will Write

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March 29, 2017 0

Cold Therapy Continues

March 20th marked the beginning of my cold therapy challenge for myself. Today’s cold shower was my ninth.

I’m very slowly acclimating. Washing my hair (twice) was the worst. I turn the water off after soaking my head to apply the shampoo and lather up. It seems like standing in the shower during that interlude feels bitter cold.

Still, it’s a choice and it’s inside, where it’s sixty-eight degrees. It’s better than many have. Yeah, I whine and rant about it because c’est moi.

On the bright side, I’m probably saving money on the water and gas bills.

March 29, 2017 0

Catment

An irritated, irked or annoyed cat often makes a catment by throwing litter out of the box, jumping by your head when you’re asleep in bed, or scratching on furniture, all gestures to punctuate its displeasure.

The late Pogo (l) and Scheckter are shown. Neither of them ever made catments. Jade, on the other hand, was a master of using catments to act out her anger.

March 29, 2017 2

Inspirational Quote # 590

This is truth for me. Reminders that others discovered and overcame the same truth inspires me and strengthens my resolve to persevere. But then, it could just be the coffee talking. It is a potent French roast.

Today, You Will Write

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March 28, 2017 0

Inspirational Quote # 589

Another area of my worries while writing – to create characters that nobody cares about. I think they become too much like me, interior people who think without acting, and don’t emote. If it’s not one thing, it’s the same damn thing over and over again.

Today, You Will Write

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March 27, 2017 0

Editing: The Path is a Spiral

I enjoy articles such as this one by Morgan Hazelwood, posted on Ryan Lanz’s site. I’m always striving to improve my understanding of my processes. What Morgan describes here is something that I consider in separate categories of polishing, revising and editing.

When I encounter articles like this, I cut and paste them with the date and the author’s name and other source information into a document of my own, “Michael’s Big Doc of Writing and Editing”.

Of note with respect to the list here. I often ‘know’ when reading when the character doesn’t act or sound true. My bigger concern is that they all sound like they’re not sufficiently unique and fresh.

The other part I’m always addressing is pacing. I’m forever worried about pacing, largely because I enjoy verisimilitude.

Ryan Lanz