It was a very dry desert, but also, a very cold one.
I live in what could be considered a desert, but it’s not always because it’s hot, but sometimes, it’s because of the cold times. In some ways, I feel like winter can be harsher than summer. That might be because it’s sometimes harder to warm up.
The warmer summer months are only rough for me when they’re humid, making sweat and evaporation of that sweat less comforting. I’d take a dry summer night over a dry winter night any day.
The best book I have ever read is tough to decide. For now, I’m going with Jurassic Park, by Michael Crichton. I read it back when I was in high school.
I think I first became interested in it when one of our math teachers, Mrs. Kinch, mentioned it, if I recall correctly, during a math club meeting. I acquired a copy of that book and blitzed through it in 2 days (an all-nighter on one of them!) I liked that world of the island and the things that went down. There was some mention of chaos theory in there, but it was the suspense and action that hooked me.
I wasn’t interested in Crichton’s writing until this book, but I became a fan after. I usually stick to his sci-fi-fi stuff, though, like Congo and Timeline. I also started to pay a bit more attention to illustrations in sci-fi novels after this book. Some of my favorite books overall also have some figures or diagrams scattered through their pages.
I already was heavily into reading by the point I found Jurassic Park, but I became much more active at my local library, checking out more books and devouring them. I dug into Piers Anthony, Heinlein, and a few others in sci-fi and fantasy authors’ works for years after JP. It was another big push in my love of reading.
Now, it’s your turn:
What is the best book you have ever read? Why did you like it? Did reading the book change you in any way? What way? – Prompt source is here
My hobby is playing video and computer games. It’s not a secret. What I like about them is a bit tougher to describe, but I’ll try.
Games are usually a fun pastime, and that is what I believe their primary reason for existing is. I do play games mainly because I find them fun. That’s not the only reason, though.
I also play them to visit, if only for a short time, different worlds than the current, real one. Sometimes it’s vastly different worlds, at times, there’s only a slight difference. It’ll be a “what if this one thing happened” scenario, and what kinds of adventures would result.
Often, I do like taking on the role of a hero, saving the day. I think I enjoy that because, unlike a book, or a movie, I get to control the flow of whatever “story” unfolds. Sometimes it’s a branching story, and other times, it can be a very linear story, and the variations can have their ways of entertaining, at different times and depending on what I’m in the mood for.
Games are also a way to provide exercise for the mind, without dire consequences. Solving puzzles in virtual worlds is also fun, and those virtual achievements can be something to remember fondly if only because some seemingly impossible task was pulled off by what might have been a burst of creative thinking.
Some games hide surprises and delightful moments, and I dig those as well.
This is not an exhaustive set of reasons, but I think it’s good for now. I might expand this someday, but I’m sure I far from alone in most of these reasons.
Prompt found (#56) at: http://www.dailyteachingtools.com/journal-writing-prompts.html
It begins with a step out the front door. Then, I step off the porch and walk to the rough driveway, where my noble steed (car) awaits.
I’m usually parked next to the outer edge, so that’s right next to a pretty tall hedge. This hedge, depending on the season, sometimes sheds blossoms on my car. That’s the reason I usually get this spot – my car’s not anything awesome to look at. The tiny flowers stick amazingly when wet, so that’s the only annoying part of the parking spot.
At any rate, I get the car going and back out, slowly. Extra slow because it’s super hard to see the road on the right (tall hedge.) Once I’m out, the first decision, up or down the hill?
Up (east) can be blinding in the fall and summer due to the sun, but sometimes, it’s faster since it’s usually a route with less freeway time. Morning traffic is often heavy in the local area, so a bit more street time can pay off to avoid the freeway crawl.
The route is a bit of a branching set of options until I’m nearly out of my home city and into the canyon, which narrows the trip down to 2 choices – the freeway, or the canyon road that shadows it for about a mile before veering westward. If the freeway is especially clogged, the canyon road is the only option to avoid a huge delay.
The next major street for the canyon road is the one my office’s building is on, so I turn eastward onto it and drive a few more blocks. Or, if on the freeway, it’s an exit and quick turns, right then left, onto the same street. A few blocks down and the building looms on the right. I turn in and proceed to the rear, where there’s a parking structure. Nearly every time, I park on the second floor, the top. Most of the bottom is reserved parking, and I’m not an exec. It’s cool because I need my steps.
It’s a brief walk to the building (the left of a set of almost identical structures) and an elevator ride to the proper floor. I electronically key the door nearest my wing and enter. The coolest part is that, upon getting within proximity of my station (an inside office), my computer unlocks, and its desktop is ready to go (usually – unless it had to reboot for an update.) I clock in and get to work for the day.
I often wonder if other commuters have a more enjoyable trip.
Your turn!
Describe the way you get to school or to work every day. (Source is #92 on the list, 100 Prompts For Writing About Yourself)
Featured image credit: Jannik Selz
My room is still a mess. It’s slowly coming together, though. I chip away at the piles of “stuff” whenever I get a solid block of free time. That’s usually on a Saturday or Sunday with no events or evening events.
The more I do this, the more things I realize don’t have a high nostalgia value and are just clutter. Tossing them out feels pretty good. I’ve already got a couple of laundry basket loads of clothes for the local Goodwill. It’ll feel excellent not to be laundering those anymore.
After I conquer my room, I think it’ll be time to get to the inside of my car and its trunk. Those have both been suffering for a long time. They’ve also been hiding a few useful items, preventing them from being used or cared for.
On a somewhat related note, I also started regrowing part of my beard, after a trim of the wild stuff that’s my cheek areas. I’m getting more serious about it now, making sure to take care of both the hairs (with beard oil) and the skin underneath. I want it to look and feel good to the touch, so it’s the least I could do.
Your turn! Be inspired by the word clean.
Prompt: Clean
Bonus: Guess what day it is again…
Photo by Markus Spiske
Today, I consider one of those deep questions I often thought about as a teenager. What would I do if I were locked in my favorite department store overnight? I certainly don’t spend as much time in stores as I used to, after all.
If I were locked into a department store overnight, it would have to be Toys R Us. I’d actually choose that one because I’m just a big kid at heart.
I’d start the night off with some LEGO building perhaps (something small, I’d pay for it in the morning.) Then, for a little while, I’d play the video games already set up on display. Perhaps I’d get pretty good at them too since I’d have a long stretch of time to play.
Lastly, because I’d likely get a bit tired, I’d nap for a bit. That would probably be it until opening time. I know, it’s not super exciting, and no supernatural stories like the movie Mannequin, but I’d enjoy my time.
What would you do if you were locked inside your favorite department store overnight?
I’m interested in what others would do. What store would you choose? Let me know in a comment or a new post that links back.
Source: 180 Journal Writing Prompts – Prompt #21
Photo Credit: Exile on Ontario St Flickr via Compfight cc
I drink and I forget things. Like invitations.
That is totally my motto. That’s why I’m lucky that I’m good with technology that helps augment memory. If I make an appointment, I immediately put it in my calendar, a calendar available wherever I’ve got network access, which is always anywhere that matters.
Wacky things happen when I don’t, like double-(triple)booking and not making a move when a day shows no apparent events, only to later find out that a cool thing I wanted to go do happened that day I was navel-gazing.
Or, that awkward feeling of inviting somebody excitedly to an event you just found out about, only to get a gentle reminder you already are going to something at the same time period with that same person (oops!) I’m lucky that I have understanding friends.
Let this a fair warning to you, friends. If you invite me to something and I am excitedly accepting the invite, remind me to add it to my calendar as soon as possible. Otherwise, I’m in serious danger of forgetting, and I do not want to flake-out on something I actually want to be at. I don’t forget my debts, but I do forget my events, after all.
Want more? Here’s more takes on the word Invitation.
A marathon is the very definition of a long race. The full length of 26 miles is a challenge for the majority of humans, and just finishing is an achievement.
I think that’s why, especially today, the day we observe the life of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, that when we reflect on the long struggle behind us, and still to come, it’s important to remember that progress will come. It’s never as soon as most of us might like, and will almost always be a very uncomfortable situation for all involved, but that the key to making it through is stamina and sheer determination of will.
Quitters don’t win and winners don’t quit. I believe that’s how that saying goes.
via Daily Prompt: Marathon, for MicroBlogMondays #125
Photo by Martins Zemlickis
