A Writing Experiment

[LC Rough Caress]

Ok...


Tell us about your experience with a major event, such as the death of MLK or JFK or Elvis or John Lennon - or the first man on the moon, or the Challenger explosion, or the OKC bombing.

Or, if there was some personal experience that has shaped you - changed your life in some way - share that with us.

Where were you?
How did you find out?
How did it make you feel?
Did you express your feelings, or hide them?
How did it change your outlook on life?

Sorry, I don't have much to say on this. I haven't lived long enough to really have experiences with major events other than 9/11 and I really don't feel like rehashing my feelings over that particularly event and everything that's followed after it.

 

[LC Rough Caress]

What was your favorite childhood toy?
Do you still have it?
Why was it special to you?
What events cause you to remember it?

I never really had a favorite childhood toy. I played with so many toys when I was a kid, it was hard to keep track of a lot of them. We went through the G.I. Joe phase, the Ninja Turtles phase, the Power Rangers phase, and every phase that came in between.

I still have a few toys around, stuffed in old boxes or back at home. We just recently had a garage sale and sold a lot of the old stuff, none of it that was really worth anything.

Mainly my action figures were the ones that were special to me, because I loved getting all sorts of action figures and just going crazy with Ninja Turtles fighting Imperial Stormtroopers and G.I. Joes getting stomped by a giant Power Rangers robot.

Whenever I see kids playing with action figures and going crazy fighting imaginary armies of monsters and demons, I remember the good old days of what it was like to be a kid.

God I miss those days.

 

[tswyk]

* bump *


for Tuesday Morning!

 

[Nigel]

Re: Where is tyswk?

Who was your first love?
Are they still with you?
How did they impact your life?
And your last love?
Is it true that there is to be only one great love in our lives?

This is one of those subjects that kind of gives me the willies, but I'll grit my teeth and go ahead...and explain myself at the end. My suppose first love was in high school. I was a sophomore and she was a junior. The first time we went out, I didn't have my drivers license yet, so she drove. We made out a LOT, but didn't "go all the way." We broke up...don't know why - I do remember that I was uncomfortable in the relationship. She had a profound impact on my life, because I was considering joining the priesthood after high school...but found that I enjoyed the company of women too much for such nonsense.

I lost my virginity when I was 19. That was weird, because the girl I lost it to was the roomate of a girl that I REALLY liked. Ah well....who said that college was anything but weird?

Had a major relationship at 20 and was engaged to her at 21. I also walked in on her and an ex-"we're just really good friends now"-boyfriend fucking on my couch. It's a long and twisted story...but suffice to say, things didn't work out.

My last love - ahh, well. We met on the internet, had a long distance relationship for about 8 months, she came out to visit twice, then moved out to be with me. We were together for about five years, which was about four years too long. It's amazing to me now...how you think a person is nice and kind and you fall for them - but what you've fallen for is the "promotional campaign" - and once they "have you"...the mask slowly comes off...and by the time it's completely off and you know how they truly are, you're completely depressed and staying in it simply because you've got too much time and too much of yourself invested to throw in the towel. But I hit a breaking point, woke up, and moved out. That was a year ago..and it's one of the smartest things I've ever done for myself.

I don't know if there is only one great love of our lives. If so, I haven't met her yet. In fact, my experiences have made me a bit cynical as far as affairs of the heart go. My heart has been fooled so many times that I'm not sure what love is anymore. But I'm hopeful....and on the lookout. Someday, hopefully, a woman will come along and change my mind....

 

[Ishmael]

Re: Re: Where is tyswk?

My last love - ahh, well. We met on the internet, had a long distance relationship for about 8 months, she came out to visit twice, then moved out to be with me. We were together for about five years, which was about four years too long. It's amazing to me now...how you think a person is nice and kind and you fall for them - but what you've fallen for is the "promotional campaign" - and once they "have you"...the mask slowly comes off...and by the time it's completely off and you know how they truly are, you're completely depressed and staying in it simply because you've got too much time and too much of yourself invested to throw in the towel. But I hit a breaking point, woke up, and moved out. That was a year ago..and it's one of the smartest things I've ever done for myself.

That struck a major chord Nigel.

Ishmael

 

[Nigel]

Ok...


Tell us about your experience with a major event, such as the death of MLK or JFK or Elvis or John Lennon - or the first man on the moon, or the Challenger explosion, or the OKC bombing.

Where were you?
How did you find out?
How did it make you feel?
Did you express your feelings, or hide them?
How did it change your outlook on life?

I won't share the personal stuff...just because....but here we go with some of the others that tswyk suggested:

I have a memory....I was almost two....but I have a very clear memory of being in the "TV room" of my grandfather's house....I remember that everyone seemed very sad...and I remembe the image of a little boy in an overcoat saluting as a casket went by. As I got older, I saw the same footage on TV and realized that it was JFK's funeral.

The first moon landing - we were shopping at Payless drugstore. they made the announcement over the PA system, and I ran to the section where the TVs were displayed. I remember it being very exciting....and it kind of gave me hope, in a weird way.

I don't remember where I was when Elvis and John Lennon were killed. I think I've blocked it out. Terrible, terrible sadness, though...especially John Lennon's killing.

I was in grad school when the Challenger event happened. Early morning in the living room of the house I was sharing, having a cup of coffee. I saw the explosion live. I was absolutely stunned. Shaken. We had become so casual about shuttle missions...but this, I think, was a bit of a wake up. I still think of Christa McAullife, the teacher that was killed. I remember that they pushed back the release of a film called "Space Camp" because of the tragedy...and to this day, it's very difficult to watch that film. There's a scene where the kids are in the shuttle for a test firing of the engines (yeah, like that would happen)...and when things start to go bad, Kelly Preston screams "What's happening????????" When I hear that, I immediately think of the Challenger exploding....and I just am overwhelmed and start to cry. Every time.

I won't talk about 9/11. I can't. Other than saying that Starbucks is an evil, evil company.

 

[tswyk]

* bump *

 

[concrete]

I'd like to
but I'm in the middle of something....story related

 

[teddybear4play]

What was your favorite childhood toy?
Do you still have it?
Why was it special to you?
What events cause you to remember it?

I had a doll whose name was the same as mine. He was the physical embodiment of my imaginary friend.

Troublemaker, he was. Crayonned up the walls real good a couple of times.

He was special to me because we lived in a neighborhood without many kids. For a few years, he was my only friend.

Until this thread, I hadn't thought about him in ages. Wonder where he is now.

TB4p

 

[tswyk]

New Question

If you could speak to someone at this moment, who would it be and what would you say?


t

 

[MissTaken]

What was your favorite childhood toy?
Do you still have it?
Why was it special to you?
What events cause you to remember it?

My Mrs. Beasley doll was my favorite toy before I learned to read. I liked her because she reminded me of the show"Family Affair" and I also aspired to be like Buffy and Jody, perky, happy and bright.

Honestly, after I learned to read, my books took the place of any doll or toy I could have. I hvae some of my childhood books here, tattered and torn after sharing them with my brothers and place significant value on reading and books.

Even as a teen, books brought me to those fantasy places and worked my mind.

And now, my daughter has an affinity for books. Most nights, she falls asleep with her raggy kitty cat or clutching a book. My son loves reading and is very proud of his new skill.

So, no toys....books, take it for me!

 

[erosman]

Round X

What was your most specialest Christmas gift that you ever received?
How old were you?
Who gave it?
Did you shoot your eye out?

 

[eastTNbbw]

Re: Round X

What was your most specialest Christmas gift that you ever received?
How old were you?
Who gave it?
Did you shoot your eye out?

Wow, both on the same Christmas....I got a Barbie doll (ummm, this was when they were a fairly new item...lol) and a baby brother.

I loved the Barbie doll and had her for many years.

At that time, I wasn't too crazy about the brother cuz I already had 2 of them and wanted a sister. I didn't understand that my parents couldn't control the sex of a baby (hey, I was 8 then and at that time, i probably didn't even know what sex was....in fact i'm pretty sure I didn't ) But now, 40 years later, my baby brother is the absolute best gift I ever got. We were inseparable as we got older despite the age difference (or maybe because of it). We still are extremely close and one of the hardest things about being in TN with all my family being in VA is that I don't get to spend a lot of time with him like I used too.

Thanks for bringing back some special memories Eros. And by the way, HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU AND YOURS....AND TO EVERYONE ELSE THAT VISITS THE THREAD

 

[ShamelessFlirt]

Re: New Question

If you could speak to someone at this moment, who would it be and what would you say?


t

I'd ask the guy in your AV to lift that chick up and face her towards the camera ...lol

Or I'd ask you how you were doin

That or I'd tell a friend of mine that I got to hang out with recently that I miss her, and her kiss is still fresh on my lips.

 

[Ishmael]

I've had many pets over the years. Almost all were dogs. A few cats here and there but for the most part dogs.

Each was special their own way. Characters that you get to know and love.

There are two that stand out equally in my mind, and both were German Shepards.

The first was Missy. My father got her for me (actually for his and my Mom's piece of mind more than for me) when I was just going on three. My father trained her and trained her well. I couldn't go anywhere without the dog. If I put a foot in the street she'd grab me by the seat of my pants and pull me back. When my mother wanted me, she called the dog. (You know how kids can get 'hard of hearing' sometimes. ) Where ever Missy came from, that's where I was. On more than one occasion I dragged Missy home and told my mother to "keep this tattletale in the house". Of course she'd just laugh at me. Missy frustrated all my attempts at independence. Damn dog. But there were the fringe benefits as well. I did misbehave on occasion (really, I did.) so a few well placed swats on the behind were in order. Well, with Missy around that couldn't happen. She wouldn't even let my parents lay a hand on me. They had to lock the dog up and by that time they were over the 'mad' part, or laughing about the dog so much that I got off real easy.

Missy and I were inseperable until my 6th year. My father was being transfered to Thule Greenland for a year. A hardship tour with no dependents allowed. My mother and I were going to live with my grandmother, in an apartment, in a city.

I remember the day the vet came to put Missy down. After he had left I went out to the barn. She was just lying there. The flies had already gathered and all the sparkle was gone from her eyes. Good bye Missy.

Have to stop now. I'll talk about the second dog in a bit.

Ishmael

Tonight is one of those nights where one stray thought leads to another. It's raining out and that always seems to lead to contemplation for me. Rregardless my thoughts strayed back to Missy and then, naturally, to this thread.

In the above I talked about how Missy would grab the seat of my pants if I put my foot over the curb. What I failed to mention is the games that I would play with her. I would look at her and lift my foot, moving it forward as if I were going to step into the street. She would stand and lean forward in the manner of a pointer or such. I'd bring my foot back, and she'd sit down. It was a game that I played with her in the hopes of wearing her down or boring her. A game that Missy always won. She never faltered.

So while a little boy played games, a 'dumb' animal displayed diligence and patience.

It takes many years sometimes to realize the lessons that we learn. Now when I think of the words 'duty' and 'responsibility', I can't help think of a dumb animal that taught me a lesson in these very things. A lesson that it took me years to learn.

Ishmael

 

[Naughty Elf]

I Ish

 

[MischievousSprite]

I Shameless Flirt

Holiday 's

 

[Ishmael]

I Ish

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh, Happy Holidays to you too.

Ishmael

 

[MissTaken]

Re: Round X

What was your most specialest Christmas gift that you ever received?
How old were you?
Who gave it?
Did you shoot your eye out?

I really don't remember specifically the christmas gifts from my youth. I do remember one gift that was special, although I recieved it when I was in college.

I started playing guitar when I was eight years old. Initially, I taught myself some folk guitar, then took lessons. Much to my surprise, I found I loved playing classical guitar. I studied the instrument and mom struggled for years to pay for lessons. I used hand me down guitars from friends and relatives and always managed to get my standing ovation or whatever my goal was when playing.

Sometimes, many times, during the turbulent years of adolescence, it was my guitar that saw me through my parent's break up, the burden of being "poor", bright and heavy set. I would spend hours, me and my guitar, in my room playing songs, new and old or writing silly little ditties that seemed like art at the time.

So, finally, when I was in college, my mother had to remortgage the house. In so doing, she was able to procure a thousand dollars or so that she earmarked for christmas. That christmas, she took me to the music store and bought my first brand new guitar. It is still the one I play. I have never needed another,. nor have I wanted another.

She has some dings and some veneer is wearing off, but she weathered summers in the great outdoors, college parties, moving with me every step of the way through my adulthood.

When married, my husband scoffed my guitar playing and felt it was a waste of time. So, as a good, young, stupid wife devoted my attention to those things he felt were worthwhile, child rearing and homemaking. I stopped playing. Within a week of leaving him, I had her in my hands again and I won't let anyone else ever take that away from me.

I will never have another standing ovation, but the ovation that counts is the one that rings in my heart as I strum.

 

[LovetoGiveRoses]

Who were your best childhood friends?
What do you remember about them?
Are you still in touch with them?

Bob. From Little League.

We each pitched half of a perfect game we shared. We struck out everyone but 2 batters. We played baseball all summer long for several summers. I went to Maine with his family one summer for a week, it was the first and only time I've been to Maine.

Yes. He and his wife have been trying to get down to visit. They just adopted a little baby girl and so traveling is difficult (8 hour drive).

T

 

[ShamelessFlirt]

I Shameless Flirt

Holiday 's

I'm glad I wandered under the mistletoe

 

[MischievousSprite]

I'm glad I wandered under the mistletoe

Holiday 's one more time.

 

[ShamelessFlirt]

If you're gonna do it

Holiday 's one more time.

Resting my forearms across your shoulders, my fingers laced behind your head I gaze into your eyes searching to see how much of me is there. I decide it's better to let you have your secret and I tangle some of your hair in my fingers, urging your head back that I might claim your lips as my own. Leaning in I nibble your lower lip before kissing you gently in stark contrast to my grip on your hair. Lingering there on the edge of night and day I'm enjoying the holidays and glad I have my friends.

 

[Diablogrl]

Who were your best childhood friends?
What do you remember about them?
Are you still in touch with them?

Before I was in 4th grade and my family started moving around so much, my best childhood friend was a girl named Kelly. I remember playing in the woods, climbing trees, sledding with her - we were tomboys to the core. She had this beautiful thick golden blond hair and crystal blue eyes - I was so jealous of her, but we were best friends. I moved away for three years, had a very rough time fitting in at the new place, and when we moved back the two of us were very different. I had become very anti-social and she was a cheerleader. We grew apart...and I have not seen her since then.

 

[Harbinger]

Or, if there was some personal experience that has shaped you - changed your life in some way - share that with us.

Where were you?
How did you find out?
How did it make you feel?
Did you express your feelings, or hide them?
How did it change your outlook on life?

When I was seven I saw the smoke from the Watts riot in Los Angeles fill the sky. We lived in Paramount, about 4 miles from the riots, and you could tell people were scared. I remember standing in the front yard, but I didn't understand what was happening. All the adults were very concerned, but they wouldn't tell the kids what it was about, and they probably didn't understand either, except what they saw on the news. My Mom said a lot of people were very angry, and were burning down the city.

I remember going to see the Watts Towers sometime after that, a place I had been to many times before, and seeing the destruction, the neighborhood even more ravaged than before. It looked like a war zone.

I was a good deal older before I learned anything about what had really happened, how it was the first of what were then called the "Race Riots" that swept many of the major cities in the U.S., and it was then that I remembered the smoke filling the sky, and knew that was what I had seen.

I made me grow up realizing that oppression and poverty have real consequences, and that even the people with the least power over their lives can always find the rage to destroy, if they have nothing else to lose.