Sunday, September 11, 2011
Hard to believe it's been ten years.
Ten years ago today, the Towers fell and the world changed. That is the big picture view but from out here on the Plains, are things that different? Not really.
I remember driving in that fateful morning to the production company where I worked, listening to some tunes. We had a couple of gigs to prep but nothing big. It was a mellow week.
When I walked in the door, John K. asked if I had the radio on, a plane had just crashed into one of the towers. I remember three or four of us gathered around the radio in the shop trying to puzzle out what could have happened when the second plane hit. We soon adjourned to a nearby bar & grill where the walls were covered by big screens. By that point, it had become obvious the country was under attack.
And now ten years after 9/11, life goes on. The Pentagon is rebuilt but the towers are still gone along with the souls that died that day. America has forgotten the unity we had in the days after and now people are even more distrustful of their countrymen. We have become a more distrustful, hyphen-ated society and the only time most of us really notice any changes to the world is the security at the airport. When I look at the news, and see the crime and distrust plastered on the screen and the politicians at each others throats in Washington, I can only think, the terrorists have won, for now.
But how did things change here the heartland? Our work load went from doing shows 6 days a week to nothing as every corporation and organization panicked, cancelling their events. Everyone was afraid to gather at hotels and convention halls for fear that they would be the next target.
Events ended up being so sparse that many of us eventually found ourselves out of work. I, myself, looked for nearly a year before landing a job doing service work taking care of building and parking lot lights. It was a far cry from concert lighting let me tell you, but it paid.
A decade later, I drive a desk and sell light bulbs to the guys still doing production and driving bucket trucks. Life is much more boring, my joints aren't quite as limber as they used to be and the thought of climbing around in the steel of some arena ceiling at 2 o'clock in the morning doesn't sound as fun as it used to be. I find I kind of like a forty hour work week, even with the paycut. I make less now than I did in 2001 but I actually get to see my wife and the kid we have now on a regular basis.
I will never forget that morning and the shock of seeing the Towers fall.
I am not religious but I can only pray I never to see such a thing again.
God Bless America (and all her faults)
Bob
I remember driving in that fateful morning to the production company where I worked, listening to some tunes. We had a couple of gigs to prep but nothing big. It was a mellow week.
When I walked in the door, John K. asked if I had the radio on, a plane had just crashed into one of the towers. I remember three or four of us gathered around the radio in the shop trying to puzzle out what could have happened when the second plane hit. We soon adjourned to a nearby bar & grill where the walls were covered by big screens. By that point, it had become obvious the country was under attack.
And now ten years after 9/11, life goes on. The Pentagon is rebuilt but the towers are still gone along with the souls that died that day. America has forgotten the unity we had in the days after and now people are even more distrustful of their countrymen. We have become a more distrustful, hyphen-ated society and the only time most of us really notice any changes to the world is the security at the airport. When I look at the news, and see the crime and distrust plastered on the screen and the politicians at each others throats in Washington, I can only think, the terrorists have won, for now.
But how did things change here the heartland? Our work load went from doing shows 6 days a week to nothing as every corporation and organization panicked, cancelling their events. Everyone was afraid to gather at hotels and convention halls for fear that they would be the next target.
Events ended up being so sparse that many of us eventually found ourselves out of work. I, myself, looked for nearly a year before landing a job doing service work taking care of building and parking lot lights. It was a far cry from concert lighting let me tell you, but it paid.
A decade later, I drive a desk and sell light bulbs to the guys still doing production and driving bucket trucks. Life is much more boring, my joints aren't quite as limber as they used to be and the thought of climbing around in the steel of some arena ceiling at 2 o'clock in the morning doesn't sound as fun as it used to be. I find I kind of like a forty hour work week, even with the paycut. I make less now than I did in 2001 but I actually get to see my wife and the kid we have now on a regular basis.
I will never forget that morning and the shock of seeing the Towers fall.
I am not religious but I can only pray I never to see such a thing again.
God Bless America (and all her faults)
Bob
Thursday, August 04, 2011
Saturday, May 14, 2011
What a week...
Or maybe I should say, "What a couple of weeks!".
Started out with my other half deciding she needed to share the flu with our little one and me. You don't want the details suffice it to say things got ugly around Casa de Allen for several days. We were returning to life as normal when the springtime head colds from hell decided to visit.
In the midst of this wonderful experience, some little gang banger worthless P.O.S. decided to steal our van from the driveway and take his posse joyriding. Our local sheriff found the van the next day sunk up to its axles in the mud in the middle of a city park. Steering column trashed, battery dead, numerous items missing and reeking of dope smoke. My complements to the folks at Farmers Insurance though, they have made a horrible experience bearable and we should have the wheels back sometime this week.
I just hope the little twerp is dumb enough to wear the coat he stole from the van out in public. I will be watching.
And I haven't even had time to work on the new story I have up my sleeve. Dang it!!
Started out with my other half deciding she needed to share the flu with our little one and me. You don't want the details suffice it to say things got ugly around Casa de Allen for several days. We were returning to life as normal when the springtime head colds from hell decided to visit.
In the midst of this wonderful experience, some little gang banger worthless P.O.S. decided to steal our van from the driveway and take his posse joyriding. Our local sheriff found the van the next day sunk up to its axles in the mud in the middle of a city park. Steering column trashed, battery dead, numerous items missing and reeking of dope smoke. My complements to the folks at Farmers Insurance though, they have made a horrible experience bearable and we should have the wheels back sometime this week.
I just hope the little twerp is dumb enough to wear the coat he stole from the van out in public. I will be watching.
And I haven't even had time to work on the new story I have up my sleeve. Dang it!!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Not as far along as I thought -- April Secret Agent contest #46
Earlier this week, I was fortunate enough to enter the April Secret Agent contest on the Miss Snarks First Victim blog http://misssnarksfirstvictim.blogspot.com/2011/04/april-secret-agent-46.html
For those that don't know, it is an opportunity to get the first 250 words of your completed novel read by an established agent and to have it critiqued by other writers.
And boy, did I get a flogging -- but in a good way. The comments were very enlightening and pointed out some flaws on the first page that had been staring me in the face for quite a while. (Now I need to go through the entire novel and see what else needs fixed).
Here is the original version, the edits I knocked out last night follow:
And the rewrite:
For those that don't know, it is an opportunity to get the first 250 words of your completed novel read by an established agent and to have it critiqued by other writers.
And boy, did I get a flogging -- but in a good way. The comments were very enlightening and pointed out some flaws on the first page that had been staring me in the face for quite a while. (Now I need to go through the entire novel and see what else needs fixed).
Here is the original version, the edits I knocked out last night follow:
After an absentminded man of learning and a naïve follower shattered civilization, all the lands the world over fell into chaos and darkness. In his grief and his hope, Professor Jameson gathered the knowledge and history of the world at the fortress that would become the Na’Sety. It was his dream that the sun would again shine on mankind on day.
-From the recitation of the Legend
The unkempt, skeletal old man simply known to most as The Prophet threw open the doors of the Akothan royal council chamber with a bang. His stained, ash-colored linen robes flowed ominously in the air as he briskly strode over the short woven ivory carpets that ran down the center of the throne room. The Prophets’ steely gaze did not waver from the man seated on the throne; as if he knew the other councilors and attendants in the room were inconsequential.
The Prophet wore a braided golden circlet with a spherical blood-red stone on his brow marking him as the leader of the Soldiers of Purity. The ominously colored stone was obviously a recent addition judging from the crude welds around its mounting.
The Soldiers of Purity were a fanatical sect dedicated to the bringing of all people to the Light, no matter the means. ‘Better the cleansing purity of the grave than to suffer the evil of life’ was their maxim.
The Prophet was followed closely by the Captain of the Akothan Guard and two score troops who immediately fanned out around the perimeter of the room.And the rewrite:
After an absentminded man of learning and a naïve follower shattered civilization, all the lands the world over fell into chaos and darkness. In his grief and his hope, Professor Jameson gathered the knowledge and history of the world at the fortress that would become the Na’Sety. It was his dream that the sun would again shine on mankind one day.
-From the recitation of the Legend
The unkempt old man Artemis Darwold, also known as The Prophet, threw open the doors of the Akothan council chamber with a bang. His ashen robes flowed in the air as he strode over the ivory carpets of the throne room. Resting on his brow, a braided golden circlet set with a blood-red stone marked him as the leader of the Soldiers of Purity.
The Soldiers of Purity were a fanatical sect dedicated to the bringing of all people to the Light, no matter the means. ‘Better the cleansing purity of the grave than to suffer the evil of life’ was their maxim.
As he walked the length of the room, Darwold’s steely gaze did not waver from the man on the throne; he knew the others in the room were inconsequential.
The Soldiers of Purity were a fanatical sect dedicated to the bringing of all people to the Light, no matter the means. ‘Better the cleansing purity of the grave than to suffer the evil of life’ was their maxim.
As he walked the length of the room, Darwold’s steely gaze did not waver from the man on the throne; he knew the others in the room were inconsequential.
Close on the Prophet's heels followed Captain Eacham Shaw leading two score soldiers of the Akothan Guard. Upon entering, the troopers drew their swords and immediately fanned out around the perimeter of the room. High Councilor Kayn rose from his throne glaring at the intrusion. The papers he had been studying falling forgotten to his feet as his fists clenched in anger.
Saturday, April 09, 2011
Dumb people
People amaze me. From watching the political fiasco that is our government play out on the tube to the cluelessness(is that a word?) of folks in everyday life, I wonder how humanity ever managed to survive this long.
In my alter-ego(day job) I sit at a desk working for an internet sales company that shall remain nameless, selling light bulbs and ballast and answering silly questions. Most of the time the questions I field are simple, confusion over item numbers and different brand names or folks searching for some obscure item but occasionally a call comes in that leaves me scratching my head.
Just yesterday I had a fellow ask my how he was supposed to rewire his light fixture if he needed to turn the power off first. "I won't be able to see the wires if I turn the power to it off.", were his words. This is after he has already told me this is the only fixture in the room and it doesn't work. How hard is it to figure out you need an extension cord and another light fixture?
But the winner and still champion is the lady that said her plug-in light bulbs won't unscrew and the glass part broke off.
Sometimes I am convinced there are people that missed getting on the evolution bus.
In my alter-ego(day job) I sit at a desk working for an internet sales company that shall remain nameless, selling light bulbs and ballast and answering silly questions. Most of the time the questions I field are simple, confusion over item numbers and different brand names or folks searching for some obscure item but occasionally a call comes in that leaves me scratching my head.
Just yesterday I had a fellow ask my how he was supposed to rewire his light fixture if he needed to turn the power off first. "I won't be able to see the wires if I turn the power to it off.", were his words. This is after he has already told me this is the only fixture in the room and it doesn't work. How hard is it to figure out you need an extension cord and another light fixture?
But the winner and still champion is the lady that said her plug-in light bulbs won't unscrew and the glass part broke off.
Sometimes I am convinced there are people that missed getting on the evolution bus.
Sunday, April 03, 2011
Thank God it's April
I hate losing friends but losing three in the same week of March was almost unbearable. Jimmy Bond, Danny Mayo and Tom Grojan, Rest in Peace my friends.
For Jimmy
http://liverpoolatributetothebeatles.blogspot.com/
For Jimmy
http://liverpoolatributetothebeatles.blogspot.com/
Saturday, March 05, 2011
Time I made an appearance
Playing in the earphones -- Video killed the radio star by The Buggles
It's time to finally join the 21st century; i.e. blogging. So many things to ramble about -- insipid kids cartoons in the background(though I do think that Spongebob would be a better president than the current resident of the White House), AWOL politicians(if you're not in the State to do your job it's called either a temper tantrum or dereliction of duty) , finding a lit. agent for my first book(what a long strange trip its been so far and still searching).
I've got it! The most important thing going on today, BBQ'ed pork ribs.
Soak a rack or two for 8-10 hours in Kansas's own Louisburg Apple Cider(good stuff).
Mix up rub to taste; Brown sugar, paprika, garlic and onion power, chili and red pepper, black pepper and salt.(Measuring spoons are for sissys).
Drain off soak, and coat meat with rub. let set for a couple of hours and throw on the smoker, charcoal hickory and mesquite.
RBA
It's time to finally join the 21st century; i.e. blogging. So many things to ramble about -- insipid kids cartoons in the background(though I do think that Spongebob would be a better president than the current resident of the White House), AWOL politicians(if you're not in the State to do your job it's called either a temper tantrum or dereliction of duty) , finding a lit. agent for my first book(what a long strange trip its been so far and still searching).
I've got it! The most important thing going on today, BBQ'ed pork ribs.
Soak a rack or two for 8-10 hours in Kansas's own Louisburg Apple Cider(good stuff).
Mix up rub to taste; Brown sugar, paprika, garlic and onion power, chili and red pepper, black pepper and salt.(Measuring spoons are for sissys).
Drain off soak, and coat meat with rub. let set for a couple of hours and throw on the smoker, charcoal hickory and mesquite.
RBA
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