Monday, December 15, 2008

While Walkin Home at Midnight

I got to thinking that maybe I should post something from myself today, instead of yet another weblink. So today's treat (?) is the first short-short I wrote as an adult. It was written for a contest that I knew it wouldn't win, which is fine. It got me writing and that was the point. With hopes that you will really enjoy it, here is the short-short, "While Walking Home At Midnight." (And if you've ever hit the writing section of my very out-dated webpages, you may have read it already.)

While Walking Home At Midnight.

Miranda stepped out into the street, starting dejectedly for home. All Hallow's Eve. Happy anniversary, she thought wryly to herself. He left me a year ago today and has the nerve to call and tell me how happy he is. They have each other and I have my overtime and antidepressants.
Hairs at the nape of her neck raised as though electrically charged. The sensation of being followed seeped up her spine. A shadow passing overhead. Unseen. Watching. Following. Miranda slowed. Pause. Turn. Nothing there. Peering into the gloom around revealed nothing more than familiar shadows, usually comforting. Tonight they menaced her. Off in the distance, the University clock tower sang out 12:00, the resonant boom adding to the Gothic atmosphere.
Chiding herself, she continued walking. Get a grip, Miranda. Appropriate a night as it may be, there is nothing out there but the overworked imagination of a world-weary mind! It is time to get home. The tingly feeling that she was being followed refused to be shaken and left behind with the wind-whipped fall leaves. "What's wrong with you," she muttered. "I've walked this route a hundred times and I am completely safe." Just keep repeating that, she thought. Like a mantra of safety. I-am-completely-safe. Talk yourself home . The boogie man does not exist. You're just tired, exhausted, and more than a little depressed.
Ahead a shadow crossed her path, startling her. Probably just a stray cat, she argued. Yeah, a very large stray cat. Boy, you're jumpy tonight! It passed over again. My imagination may be putting in for overtime, but that was not a cat. Her walk increased its pace, just short of a trot. I shouldn't be this spooked! Just a trick of the lighting and the wind in the leaves. I am completely safe...
Miranda turned a corner, the street leading straight for home. And safety. Her walk now a jog. Just two more blocks and I can lock my imagination outside with the darkness and shadows. Nothing more for company than my cat, infomercials, and some microwaved food.
Again, that feeling of scrutiny. Someone was following her. Wheeling around, ready for confrontation, she saw no one. Nothing to confirm her fears. See, you ninny! The apartment's safety beckoned her. The security of a door between her and the darkness. The shadowy figure paused ahead. Still unseen. Waiting.
Miranda neared an alley entrance, feeling eyes upon her, sizing her up. She still saw no one there. Nothing. Alone. She was alone. Story of my life. She determined to walk the last stretch of street calmly, like a sane woman.
Before her. A man standing in the shadows. Unable to speak or move, breath caught, her eyes held by that appraising gaze. He reached out, with infinite gentleness, brushing the back of his hand against her cheek. The gesture intimate, yet innocent. An electric shock coursed through her body. He looked into her soul. Caressing it. Learning its secrets.
Suddenly alive, Miranda moved toward him, unbidden. He backed into the shadows, pulling her in after, using only that gaze. Without hesitation, Miranda followed, held prisoner by those penetrating grey eyes.
She walked forward into her salvation.



Copyright 1995

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Latest Holiday Video

This hit my funny bone tonight, so I'm sharing with anyone who stumbles across my little blog...There are folks who stumble across my little blog, right?

Twelve Days of Christmas, Shrek-Style

Donkey's The Night Before Christmas

Puss-In-Boots The Night Before Christmas

Friday, December 12, 2008

Squee!

Author Charlaine Harris, one of my favorites, will have a new Sookie Stackhouse novel coming out in May 2009! Sorry if I seem a little excited, but apparently the shape-shifters come out into the open in this one. AND she's got the first chapter up on her website just to torment us.

You can check it out here: Dead and Gone, chapter one.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

O, Tannenbaum!

I'm sitting at the dining room table, typing away on Mathilda, with the beautiful light of our Christmas tree keeping me company. It's better than writing by candlelight. Idol Pursuits may just get finished by the 25th after all.

The tree up also means that I finally feel like I celebrated a birthday this past weekend. You see, the tree goes up on the weekend closest to my birthday, which is the 7th. We were supposed to be at a family reunion about 2 hours away that day, but Mother Nature stepped in with some icky roads.

Why didn't we put the tree up on Sunday, then? Well, because of The Kate's puppy, Jake. He's adorable. He's also all boy and a little linebacker. So, the tree is going in the dining room this year, not the living room. To do this, we had to clean the back of the dining room up and move a table into the fairly furniture-empty living room. (Long story, going partly back to the lice invasion.) And then the carpet had to be steamed clean - thanks to the puppy.

We did all of that on Sunday. Tuesday, Mr. Incredible and the girls put the tree up and tonight lights and garland went on. Tomorrow we'll bury it under ornaments.

And tonight? I get to sit here, feeling another wonderful year older, and contemplate my writing, by tree light. It's a wee bit o' bliss, let me tell ya.

(Oh, and for those nosy folks out there, I am now the answer in terms of age. So grab your trusty towel and hang on for the ride. ;)

Today's Video, Day....4

Sorry about yesterday, but I let my blood sugar get completely out of whack. Diabetes sucks when that happens. My BS was over 400 yesterday afternoon. Yeah. That's pretty high. I'm still running high, at around 300, but I'm feeling much better today. Another couple days of being beyond good with my diet and we should be back to normal.

So, today's video doesn't have a dang thing to do with Christmas, unless you decide to pre-order one of the dvd's. And am I the last person to discover Dr. Horrible? Don't answer that. I already know I'm not, because I got to share it with Jeff and Kate just now. :)

So, without further ado, Josh Wedon's Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. Who knew Neil Patrick Harris could sing so well? I think I have a crush....

Monday, December 8, 2008

Today's Video

It's starting to look like a week of these things. :) Lucky you!

Today's You Tube offering has nothing to do with Christmas, but it's still classic. I'm thinking of having the girls just listen to it to start their day so I can get a chunk of it out of the way, right off the bat. (Lucky them!)

The Mom Song

I'll eventually write a post of some substance, but aren't these fun?

Sunday, December 7, 2008

More Cool Video

Here's today's treasure, which I stumbled across last night on You Tube. My mom has this video taped from when was originally on TV. And we still drag it out to watch almost every year. It's up there with "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" as far as I'm concerned.

"Will Vinton's Claymation Christmas", on You Tube, in three parts:

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Happy Holidays, Y'all!

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Video of the Day

So, I'm sitting at the computer doing Christmas cards for a big family gathering tomorrow. I'm also reading my email after having been gone all day shopping. And what do I find, but this incredible video of "Carol of the Bells", which I absolutely love. If this doesn't blow you away, go check your shoes for lead weights. Honest.

Carol of the Bells.

At just over 9 minutes, it's a little long, but that just means you don't have to click "Play" as often. ;)

[Okay, it's still a really pretty version, but after listening to it again today, I can only conclude I was pretty tired last night - there were a few off-notes in there that just make you cringe. (7/12/08)]

Oh, and as a bonus, here's the only version of "The Little Drummer Boy" that I can stand. This is a pretty good cut of this particular song. I'd never seen the lead up to the song before. It's good.