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A place to keep my entries for various contests and challenges |
| This book is not only a place to create, keep, and store contest entries, it's also a log of items that may one day become something more. |
| Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and write whatever comes to mind without stopping or editing. I had some running to do this morning. One item I needed to take care of was new license stickers for one vehicle and new plates for the pickup. I lost the front one driving through a field (Don't ask). Everything went great since I had gotten there early I didn't have to wait in line and was soon back home. But when I went to put the new plates on I saw that the paperwork was for the other vehicle. So, I ran back and talked to them,, got it straightened out, got the proper paperwork to keep in the truck, and headed to another town where we purchased fresh meat. It's a butcher shop and locker plant and the meats are always fresh and good. But, the shelves were just about empty. It's a three day, holiday weekend and I live in an area that is well-liked by terrorists tourists. It seems they started showing up early and had emptied the shelves. They did have more available, but the items I wanted were cured, smoked, and take time, so I was out of luck. I did get a few things so it wouldn't be a wasted trip. I returned home, let the dogs out to do their business, and then went to put the new plates on the pickup. I double-checked the paperwork and it was now correct, but the new plates have stickers declaring they expire in August, but my registration period expires in November. The person had put the wrong stickers on the plates. I am not going to run back in a third time! My wife gets done with work at three this afternoon and drives right past them, so hopefully she can get the right month stickers, but without the paperwork, they may not give them to her. I don't blame them, we all make mistakes, but I think the state of Minnesota needs to put in a coffee machine for them. I know I would have likely caught the mistake myself had I indulged in adequate amounts of that hot, delightful, and caffeine-loaded, drink. But I had not had more than two cups of coffee yet and it takes at least four to jump-start my mornings. I reckon this is as much my fault as anyone, I know better than to leave without checking everything. But, I can use the pickup, and I do have new stickers for the other vehicle (they expired yesterday). So, the weekend is looking good for us to get some projects done and make a road trip. We want to check out some camping areas in a couple of state forests near us, but we will be camping old-school. They do have a vault toilet in the camping area, and there is supposed to be freshwater as well, but no water hook-ups, and no electricity. I purchased a small, and relatively quiet gasoline generator recently just for this purpose. The mobile tent (pop-up camper) does have a gas furnace, gas stove, gas water heater, and a super big deep-cycle battery to run everything, but I like to ensure that we do not run out of battery power, so a generator and battery charger are a must-have along item when we Gilligan it (old-school camping). A proud member of "WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group"  "Reading soothes the soul, writing sets it free." T.J. |
| What does Andre and Caesar Augustus have in similarities? Well, for one, Augustus founded the Roman Empire and Andre founded the Banana Bar. Also, Augustus was the first emperor and Andre was the first bartender. So, they do share some firsts. Also, the term Caesar was used as a nickname before it became a family name. Apparently, Julius had a lot of hair, so he was nicknamed hairy (Caesar). In Roman tradition, this became part of his name. I don’t know much about it, but I gained this information from a person who held a doctorate in some of the ancient languages, including Latin and Greek, and who also extensively studied Roman culture. If this tidbit of information is true, then Andre, being quite hairy, is also a Caesar. I also read that Augustus was particularly good-looking, as is Andre, in a primate sort of way. I had to do a bit of research and found he was born Gaius Octavius and was also known as Octavian, Gaius Octavius, Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus, and finally as Ceasar Augustus, but I digress as I don’t know of any other names Andre goes by. Augustus, with unlimited patience, skill, and efficiency overhauled every aspect of Roman life and brought durable peace and prosperity to the Greco-Roman world. Andre, however, lacks patience, skill, and efficiency. Even so, he shares with Augustus the fact that he (with the help of the staff) has overhauled the Banana Bar, changing every aspect of the failed business it was and bringing peace and prosperity to the bar. A proud member of "WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group" "Reading soothes the soul, writing sets it free." T.J. |
| First, let’s be honest, you didn’t “fall” down the stairs, you were pushed. By whom? Nobody knows except the pusher. I suspect, however, that it was the individual who resides beyond the door behind the bar. Secondly, let’s address the ladder. Sure, there happened to be a ladder, just the right height to reach that hatch, just lying around in a basement. I think not! I have a theory on all of this. The ladder was placed where it would be discovered by the resident beyond the door behind the bar. Then, it was just a matter of time as the resident waited for someone to stop and peer into the dark basement, at which time the resident rushed out and pushed you down there. It was all planned, a ploy to fill the open position of “Guy In The Basement”. Think about it, how else was the position going to be filled? An ad in the paper, “Wanted, someone to reside in a dank, dark, and creepy basement filled with passageways, catacombs, and rooms that contain who knows what to write poetry, stories, blogs, and various prose and verse from dreams and nightmares. Your compensation will be a Newsletter to justify your very existence and an unlimited supply of cheap, homemade banana rum.” As you have likely noted, I have referred to the resident beyond the door behind the door as, “the resident”. Why? Because it seldom shows itself, and when it does, it is always cloaked in a swirling mist that obscures one’s vision and prevents anyone from seeing what it is. It may be something alien or mutated by the foul liquor stored in the basement. Or, it may be something from a completely different reality. I opened the door sometime back after fixing myself my third or fourth, perhaps even my tenth or eleventh Brass Monkey. It was while the bar was closed, I was taking advantage of free booze checking up on the bar. I had given in to curiosity and opened the door just enough to look inside. But, I couldn’t see anything. It wasn’t dark and it wasn’t light, it was more like a gray swirling mass. I opened the door a bit further and stuck my head in through the opening and strained to see through the grayness. There was a foul odor filling the absolute stillness beyond the door and I could just barely make out a figure sitting on a white chair or throne inside the swirling grayness. I was about to go inside a bit further when the figure reached out and slammed the door shut. I just barely managed to pull my head back before the door went shut! I heard an eerie voice screech at me from beyond that door, “Get out you pervert!” I pondered this over a few more Brass Monkeys but didn’t really figure it out until the next day when my head was pounding, and my stomach was churning. I was at home and ran to the bathroom, sat down, and swore I’d never drink again. Suddenly, the door started to open, I reached up and pushed it shut. “Get out of here.” I screeched. That’s when I figured out the door behind the bar is a bathroom, and when I peeked in, Volga, the barmaid, was doing her business. Yes, being the lazy person she/he (I don’t think anyone knows for sure) resides behind that door through most of her shift. I suspect a few other employees do the same during theirs. A proud member of "WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group" "Reading soothes the soul, writing sets it free." T.J. |
| So, I completed my entry for the Guy In The Basement Appreciation 5-Day Mini Challenge earlier today, and he yelled at me for calling him names and threatened to have Andre come by and rough me up a bit if I did it again, I thought it was catchy, WS The Cellar Feller. But hey, I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings (or have Andre hurt me) so Guy In The Basement it is. But that's neither here nor over there someplace, what I wanted to do was to stop by and apologize to GITB. I had a dozen couple of Brass Monkeys to get my nerve up before starting down the dark, creaking, and cobweb-curtained stairway. When I reached the bottom, I realized there were no lights on except way down a narrow passage I hadn't even noticed before. It was there, plain as a dark, gloomy, and unpleasant day, but when GITBs door is open, the narrow passage is hidden behind it. Since his door was closed and locked, I decided to go back up. I mean, there isn't a chance in Hell I was going to walk down the feebly illuminated, cobweb-infested, and strange-smelling passage. Especially since it looked like there were fresh footprints (about a size 17) coming out of the passage. Bare feet, no shoe print. I thought perhaps Sasquash, but I don't think Big-Foot has eight toes and six-inch claws at the end of them. But, when I turned to leave, I heard someone say, "Hello." It was a deep, raspy voice and seemed to echo within my own head. I looked right and left, but didn't see anyone the freaky voice could have emitted from. Then, I felt something poke me in my stomach! I looked down and to my horror, saw want looked like a midget-sized cross between a toad and an orangutan. Its lips were moving and the strange, horse voice was coming from inside that fang-filled maw. "I say, hello there." I knew right away I had come across one of the mutants that dwell deep within the basement tunnels. "If you're looking for The Basement Guy, he's up at the bar." I didn't wait to see if the thing was savagely vicious, I ran up the steps two at a time and burst back into the light and sound of the bar. I swear I heard it running up the steps after me hissing out, "You rude bastard. What the Hells wrong with you?" I turned and faced the entrance to the basement but the hideous thing wasn't there. Instead, I saw Volga, one of the barmaids, holding a couple of bottles of banana rum. She snarled at me, called me an ass-hole, and kicked me in the shin as she walked by. I wonder what was up with her? Anyway, I'm pretty sure of what I saw down there, but after that many Brass Monkeys, maybe it was just Volga and I let my imagination run amuck. Maybe I'll have a few more and then go find her and apologize... What's the worst that could happen? A proud member of "WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group" "Reading soothes the soul, writing sets it free." T.J. |
| P2. The guy in the basement seems to know a lot about writing.com, blogging, and newsletters. I think he prints the Blogging Blitz Newsletter down there on one of those antique crank-by-hand printing presses. Write about something you may have learned from the guy in the basement or something he's said that may have been helpful to you. I agree about knowledge of WdC, he either knows a lot or baffles us with B.S. However, he's never steered me wrong. In fact, I don't think he's ever steered me at all. He has emailed me some blogging issues I had at the bar, and he's always helpful with the challenges. So, there's that. I get my Newsletter in my email and don't quite understand how he accomplishes that on an antique, crank printing press, but he's apparently very witty and has somehow linked it to one of the computers upstairs. What have I learned from the basement guy? Let me quote you these words of wisdom he shared just recently, "Read my portfolio at your own risk. Although it may explain why I'm in the basement." He also assisted Andre with sending me this wonderful badge: ![Merit Badge in The Blogging Banana Bar
[Click For More Info]
Congratulations & Thank You
from Andre
For competing the full four weeks of the Non-Judgmental Blogging Event in January 2023.
Please show your badge when entering the Banana Bar and join others in the Banana Bloggers' Lounge .
Your blogging is always welcome at [Link To Item #1985857] .](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/group-The_Blogging_Banana_Bar-2246010_9.gif) And, in addition, he often leaves comments on blogs and Newsfeed items. There is this thing I ponder in the wee hours of the night, halfway between dark and light, and it sometimes gives me a fright, so a favor I ask of you, if I might, and you grant me the right. Why do we keep calling him the Basement Guy? I know he's down in the basement, but it sounds like something my older sister would have used to scare me as a lad; the thing under the bed, the monster in the closet, the ghosts in the attic (the attic doorway was in my room) and now, the basement guy. I know him also as Wordsmitty ✍️   and see he signs emails with WS, I think the least we could do in appreciation of him is attach his initials with the title, "WS The Basement Guy" (like Larry the Cable Guy) or maybe WS The Cellar Feller, or something a bit more personal. I mean, we are participating in "Guy In The Basement Appreciation 5-Day Mini Challenge" so it seems proper to at least throw in his initials. Besides, it sets him aside from some of the other beings that reside in the tunnels and labyrinths (I hear tell there are even some mutants).Anyway, my dinner is ready, so I'll save this and post it at the bar later. A proud member of "WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group" "Reading soothes the soul, writing sets it free." T.J. A proud member of "WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group" "Reading soothes the soul, writing sets it free." T.J. |
| We all know about the guy in the basement, right? But, has anyone actually seen him? Today the challenge is to look around the archives and nooks and crannies of the bar - Look in the basement if you dare - learn what you can and then share what you find out. You could write about an encounter you've had with him, or maybe, tell us what you think it is he does down there. See Not Below  I guess we all know there's a guy down there, I mean it states it on the roster, The Basement Guy, and of course it states he's the Event Coordinator. Other than that, I know he writes a damn fine Newsletter and helps Andre with blogging challenges. But, I admit, I do not really know the guy; he's always in the basement, or at least anytime I visit the bar he's down there. As for what he does down there, he coordinates events, duh! I think he also has a stash of Oreos down there and probably a lot of milk. I also know he does come out of the basement because he does a lot around the site and has an interesting Portfolio; sometime when I have time, unlike this time when I have no time, I shall have to revisit his Port and read some items more in-depth. There's another person around the bar who actually provided us with the whimsical wonderful Andre, Brother Nature. Now this guy, I also do not really know. I mean, I do through the Banana Bar and all the fun that goes on there. I should know him, we are practically neighbors, he in Manitoba, and myself in Minnesota. We share some things in common, like some of the stuff that's common to both of us. "What? Do you need an example? Okay, in his bio he says he has a hard time filling these out. Well, so do I." I also think he's a spy or something, kind of like the Canadian version of the CIA (Canadian Intelligence Agency?) Anyway, he was around, and then "POOF" he was gone. He hasn't said anything, because if he did, he'd likely have to send Andre after me to hush me up, but I believe he was on a covert secret mission. Hey, that's all I can disclose, I don't want Andre showing up alongside my bed one night to hush me up. Anyway, this is my first entry and it's supposed to be about the basement guy, but somehow I managed to get into the attic, too. Side note:  I did subtract the intro word count from the total. A proud member of "WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group" "Reading soothes the soul, writing sets it free." T.J. |
| P6. Interesting discovery in your closet or cupboard (go look and find something) I did have an interesting discovery when we went through our closet. Being so short on room, our closet doubled as a storage area for anything and everything. I had installed another shelf over the clothes rod and then put a shelving unit in as well to hold everything. As you can imagine, it was stuffed full with limited room left to hang clothes. After we gained access to the front apartment and had a whole house, we had plenty of room for everything and began unloading our closet. I knew what was packed in there, and I knew what a pain in the @ss it was to try and find anything. What I'm saying is, there wasn't anything surprising packed in the closet by us. But as we began moving things out, I discovered that someone or something had also been using our closet to store items it had pilfered from various family members. There were some storage tubs back in the corner, and when we pulled them out, there in the small area between them and the wall were multiple items along with some dog food, a dried-up apple, and a small bag of Planter's Peanuts. There was one of my socks, a winter glove, a handkerchief, my old watch, a couple of earrings, one black canvas tennis shoe that belonged to no one in our household, one of my cigars that was still in the little glass tube, and one of Hanna's favorite toys. Now, we did have a few mice that got in someplace, but we always keep a trap set and catch them before they have a chance to ever get established. Besides, I don't think a little mouse would be dragging a shoe (which we wonder where it came from) around the house and I doubt it would get onto my dresser where my old watch was buried under other items. Besides, when we first discovered we had mice getting in, we went around and sealed the foundation of any access, as well as looked and patched any holes or openings that would grant them entry into the house. What creature resides here with us? Is it of this world? Why have we never spotted it or any other signs of it? Did it get in through an opening, pull its shenanigans and then exit before we sealed its portal? I cannot answer any of these; all I know is we are completely dumfungled. A proud member of "WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group" "Reading soothes the soul, writing sets it free." T.J. |
| P2. Social Media - Good or Bad (opinion)? Should it be or can it be controlled? Let's break this down. Good or bad? Yes! Should it be controlled: No. Can it be controlled? It would not be easy, but yes, it can. Now, let's expand on this. Social Media in itself is neither good nor bad, but the people using it are. What I mean is, like with anything, how it's used may be good or bad, depending on who's using it and for what purpose. It's terrific for keeping in contact with friends and family, it's useful for information, and it's a great way to interact and meet new people. But, it is also a great way to spread gossip, rumors, and slander people. It's also a base for bullying and prejudice, and some of the information is false, misleading, and sometimes even dangerous. With this in mind, one would think controlling social media would be a good thing, then. But, who's going to set the standards, and would they be fair? Any kind of control could easily be turned into full censorship and a loss of our rights. If those who are in control hold different ideals, opinions, and beliefs, would they promote only their own? That's the risk we have to take because I do believe there should be some controls set and enforced. Without them, I fear, the bad would soon smother the good and social media would turn very ugly. A proud member of "WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group" "Reading soothes the soul, writing sets it free." T.J. |
| P21. When did you last go re-read items you wrote over two years ago? Go read one now and tell us about what you thought of your writing from back then as compared to now. Whenever I get a review of an item, newer or older, I read the item before I read the review. It helps me to know what the reviewer is saying and refreshes my memory of that particular item. I also pick out items to share with family or friends if something in conversation triggers my memory. Quite recently, one of my children needed to write a poem for school and was having some problems coming up with content. I shared a few of my poems to help generate ideas and to provide some insight into how I write poetry. She soon had a rough draft and ended up with a very nice poem. As for the second part of this prompt, "What do I think of my older writing?" Not much has changed in my writing from then to now except back then I was writing and now I don't get much written. I enjoy reading past items and am reminded that I need to do editing. I have a lot of great material but it all needs to be edited and I'm not good at editing. I know, I will never get better at it if I don't do it. One of these days... Or, maybe I should hire an editor and stick to writing the stuff and letting someone who knows edit them. Any takers? A proud member of "WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group" "Reading soothes the soul, writing sets it free." T.J. |
| The April blogging event over at "Invalid Item" Requires the following: Here's how you can Not Be a Fool (NBF). 1. Write seven (7) blogs between April Fools Day (4/1) and the Ides of April (4/15). Use your own topic or select from any of the Prompts posted at the Banana Bar. Entries must be at least 250 words excluding any mention of this activity, Andre or the Banana Bar. 2. You Must Comment on at least seven (7) blog entries from others on WDC. Comments must be at least 25 words excluding any mention of this activity, Andre, or the Banana Bar. In other words, a real comment that is honest and respectful. There is more, but this is ample for my entry. Oh, and yes I did a word count on the above, just to ensure I have enough of my own material in this entry. Word count = 654 total less 159 for introduction = 495 Today is the Ides of April, so times up. I still have one more entry needed for my seven blog entries, but I do have my seven comments done. Actually, I think I have at least one other blog entry I did not list here, but I'm not going to go back through entries to see, since this one makes seven. I do know that I have a few, possibly quite a few other comments that I could have, and should have, listed. But, I did not read through the requirements very carefully when I started. I knew I needed seven entries, and seven comments, but I thought both required 250 words. Again, I'm not going to go back and hunt to find all the comments I have left that were over twenty-five words, since it was my own knuckleheaded mistake. Instead, I'm in here early, well kind of, writing my last blog entry so I can get my seven done today. I should have been past seven by now, but spring showed up and I ended up being very busy with melting snow and ice needing to be cleaned up as well as a driveway that was turning to mud. None of this would have been as bad, but I also took a nasty slip on icy steps and possibly dislocated my shoulder. I gave it a few days to see if I needed to see a doctor, and in those days the pain diminished some, a couple of loud and uncomfortable pops resulted in a gain in my range of motion, and it seemed there was no need to seek medical assistance. But, it still hurt, especially doing things that required reaching or lifting my arm. I'm happy to say, it has continued to heal. It's still a pain in the @ss shoulder, but it's not very bad and more discomfort that hurt. With this healing well, I'm hoping to be back in here doing a bit more, but there are still distractions and interruptions. Like yesterday; I had a small trench dug out through the semi-frozen gravel of the driveway so the melting snowbank would drain away onto the lawn instead of across the driveway, resulting in a pretty solid and dry surface and a few nasty blisters. Yesterday, our neighbor decided to plow the snowbank back for me, which was nice. But in the process of backing up and ramming forward to move the snow, he completely undid my trenching and the resulting water once again spread across the driveway and created some mud. This meant I had to spend a few hours re-digging and trenching to redirect the flowing water into the yard. He's a nice guy and means well, but he is very set in his ways. He also lacks common sense and can be more stubborn that a mule. But, as I said he has good intentions. We all, I think, know what they pave... A proud member of "WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group" "Reading soothes the soul, writing sets it free." T.J. |
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Man, you know nothing about monkey business! Never poke your nose in them.
