Serious Syrian Indecision: Saturday Political Soap Box 72

What should we do about Syria?

I don't know.

It's not like health care, or minimum wage, or tax reform. or a host of other issues where I have passionate feelings and definite expectations of improved outcomes by their adoption.

But you enter into the world of foreign policy, and what to do becomes a little bit fuzzy.  We don't have the information that our leaders have, and we certainly don't understand it in counterbalance with everything else.  But we also know that our country, as other countries have, have made some horrendously bad decisions in the past.

Part of it is the law of unintended consequences that happens in the realm of global politics.  Everything is so intricately wrapped up with everything else, that we can't always foresee how things will turn out.  And it's not like domestic policy, where imperfections and errors in judgement can be corrected by adjustments and refinements of the law and regulations.

If we do nothing, if we withdraw from the world and let things play their course, without intervention or involvement, you lose complete influence and connection to the world and the way events play out.  Evil unchallenged becomes evil triumphant.  Withdrawing both diplomatically and militarily is the worst thing the United States can do.

Those who wish us to eliminate all foreign aid are naive in both what kind of effect that think this will have, and to the extent it could save us money or solve the deficit.  All foreign aid combined is like a rounding error to some other programs we have.  And to think that the money would be better spent domestically - oh, if only that were true.  You think the reason that Rand Paul doesn't support programs for the poor is because that money is instead going to foreign aid?  Boy, are you in for a surprise!

If we do nothing in Syria, then their forces will think they can continue to use chemical weapons and slaughter their own people without any concerns or worries about international reaction.

If we intervene on the high level that John McCain and some of the hawks advocate, it could be Iraq and Afghanistan times three, making those awful conflicts look puny by comparison.  Yes, let's risk riling up the Arab World on the doorsteps of Israel.  No one in America has the stomach for seeing a larger number of Americans coming home in body bags or with life-crippling injuries, and for us to dwarf the number of civilians killed compared to what the Syrians are already doing.

So that leaves some mix of positions in between these extremes.  These would also create risk, and could hurt more than help, but the greater danger may be in thinking that the use of chemical weapons are A-OK.  I do hope that what we do is more diplomatic than military, that we could do surgical strikes that mostly degrade weaponry, and does not target civilians (their people have been through enough).  I hope we wait to hear the report of UN inspectors, which should be forthcoming very soon.  I hope that the President does we he can to win Congressional approval, and that opposition or support is not based on partisanship.  Although the UN Security council is out because of the veto power of Syria's allies, Russia and China, I do hope we do what we can to garner international support.  The Arab League, in particular, should be at the forefront of any decision.

If this is not a scholarly dissertation, I apologize.  I certainly do not claim to have any magic answers.  I would appreciate any one's insights who would care to comment.

Winston's Last Town Hall

It wasn't very often that Crowley made the national news.

There were the Chockataw double murders that occurred in July of 1949.  Two young girls found on the Waconee Bridge, strangled and then left posed together in a perpetual hug.  That picture made it into Life magazine.

In the fall of 1993, a paparazzi picture of Jane Fonda and Ted Turner eating at The Chicken Hut made the tabloids.  In the corner, in what would now be called a photo bomb, was a grinning Maybeen Herreld, owner of that fine establishment.  The picture was still hung in the restaurant, although some vandal had drawn a Leninesque goatee on Jane Fonda.

But, thanks to Youtube and Facebook and Twitter and countless other social media, thanks to 24 hour news and blogs and partisan hackery of all sizes and shapes, nothing out of Crowley had gotten as big as this, as quickly as this. 

Congressman Winston had rolled into town as part of a town hall tour during one of Congress' frequent breaks.  That was okay with many Crowley residents, as they really didn't expect Congress to do much of anything anyways.  And it was at the town hall where footage of Dotty Mathers challenging Congressman Stan Winston was taken, and then shortly after went viral.

The town hall was held in Judge Strickland's courtroom where two evenings before, the ghost of Laura Gurney had manifested before the Ghost Squad.  That footage might have created quite a stir, but the Squad was still reviewing it, and was not quite sure what to do with it yet.

A who's who of Crowley's more politically conservative residents were there.  They included Maybeen Herreld and her sister-in-law Doreen, State Farm agent and Honey Dew Lunch Bunch member Andy Caldwell and his brother, Mayor Terry Caldwell.  There was Houston Graves, the CPA and Lunch Buncher. Sitting in the back was the Civics teacher Ronnie Smith.  Up front near the Congressman was Forrest Compton, owner of the Okefenokee Bank & Trust.  And seated in the middle was Pastor Dan and some of his contingent, including Maryanne MacDonald and the strident Dotty Mathers.

Watching the proceedings from the sidelines was Sheriff Alan Steel.  He was there because he had a favor to ask of Congressman Stan Winston.  He had promised Dabs Denison he would do what he could to speed up his military disability, and that's what he was going to do, even if he had to sit through a lot of hogwash and balderdash to do it.

The town hall went back and forth, most questions soft balls to Winston, with no challenges posed to him from the left or the center.  Then Dotty Mathers took the microphone.

She started with the usual rants.  Why would he not do more to repeal Obamacare?  Why was he not leading the way to impeach that foreign born dictator?  Why wasn't he doing more to stop abortion?  Would he be willing to shut down the government if they did not get their way on the debt ceiling?  On and on it went, with the practiced Winston deflecting what she said, agreeing with 99% of it.

But, of course, 99% is nowhere near good enough for Dotty Mathers.

She kept her large framed body planted firmly in front of the microphone.  Others behind her were getting antsy, but she would have none of it.  Even Pastor Dan was getting a little worried.  Violet Ridge, reporter for The Crowley Gazette, was recording it all on her cell.  "Congressman Winston, what are you going to do about the food stamp program?  It is fraught with abuse, perpetuating laziness and dependence, my tax dollars being drained to support good for nothings who just need to buck up and take care of themselves.  Why, just the other day, I had a woman in front of me using food stamps while wearing jewelry fancier than anything I could dream of having, and sporting an expensive, state of the art manicure!  We have to stop this program and the waste it generates.  I need my money I worked hard for to support my own family and church, not for some good for nothings who are too lazy to support themselves!"

Wild applause broke out.  Congressman Winston tried to martial a response.  "Well, Dotty, I couldn't agree with you more that there is plenty of abuse in the Food Stamp system.  We need to do a lot of tightening up of standards and eliminate the many cheaters off the system.  And no able-bodied person should be receiving free government cheese, believe me!  Of course, this is not always easy to accomplish when you're dealing with the "Food Stamp President!"

"No sir!  I did not say police the program!  I say that we eliminate it all together!  Let God and church provide to those in need!  The federal government is not God!  Especially when it is run by so many godless people, including a filthy Muslim foreigner at its head!"  Dotty was in her full glory.

"Well, I don't know about eliminating the program, Dotty.  There are some people in genuine need, and..."

"Sir!" Dotty interrupted, in a powerful, commanding voice that boomed across the courtroom.  "Are you a religious man?"

Congressman Winston's hair bristled on the back of his neck.  "Well, you know that I am.  I am a devout Christian and believer...."

"Are you now?  Really?  Are you not Episcopalian?"

"Yes, Dotty, I am.  It is a fine church, one of the oldest denominations in America..."

"Are you talking about the same group that tolerates gays and even has a gay Bishop?  Even a religious ceremony to bless gay couples?  They do not officially condemn abortion!  You can be in their church and not take the word of god literally!  I say to you all here, does that sound like Christianity to you?"

There were loud shouts of no, but some were feeling unease.  Sheriff Alan was wondering if he would have to intervene.

Winston tried to reply, but Dotty kept plowing ahead.  "I prayed and listened to God before coming here, Congressman Winston, and his answer was so clear, it drove me to my knees!  Your time is up, sir!  It is time for a godly man, a true conservative, a real Christian to take your place!  You will be challenged next year, and it will be God's triumphant truth that wins!"

Congressman Winston tried to retort, but a group of Pastor Dan's people started singing Onward Christian Soldiers, and the meeting ended in chaos.

Afterwards, Sheriff Steel finally got a moment with the Congressman.  "I try, Andy.  I really do.  But sometimes it's real hard staying on top of the crazy train," said an exhausted Winston.  "Maybe I'd be better off just leaving on my own.  The Americans For Better Healthcare and National Timber Council both would pay me fat money to be their lobbyist."

"Before you do that," dryly said Sheriff Alan Steel, "maybe you could help me out with one little thing."  And then Alan told him all about Dabs Denison and his disability needs.

"I will do every thing in my power to help, Alan.  I won't forget how much difference your support made a year ago.  And now that I see some of the people you helped steer my way, I realize what a tough task you had.  But I have to warn you.  My fellow Republicans have been chopping away at veterans programs as much as they can get away with.  It'll be a hard favor to call in when I got people like Dotty Mathers who see any government benefit as ungodly evil."

"Let me tell you something about Dotty," the Sheriff began.  "Dotty is hardly what I would call a taxpayer.  She brags about how her husband's radiator shop has "no reportable income" after deductions.  She is on my list of people to collect years of back property taxes.  She may be many things, but taxpayer ain't one of them."

"Well, that could be good to know in the coming days.  Thank you kindly, Alan.  You have my word.  Your friend's benefits will be fast tracked, even it's the last thing I do in Congress. One thing's for sure.  This is my last town hall.  I'm only doing phone conferences and events where the questions are preselected.  Democracy has just gottten too dangerous" They shook hands and Congressman Stan Winston took his leave, shoulders slumped and head bowed.

The Crowley Crazy Train Express was just starting to pick up steam.  Interesting times, indeed.

Wall of Desire

I think of you
Spun from white gold
by weavers so fair

I dream of you
Azure blue so bold
to a gaze that we share

I picture you
In a swirling green dress
dancing a dreamspin

I desire you
and to flesh I would press
where the kewpie I win

I tire of you
in a fleeting thought
and fence you out

I must have you
it must be fought
I won't be a lout

It has been three days
since I shared with you
I can hold out no longer

Open back the ways
hold the hammer true
make the bricks no longer stronger

I forgive you
I liberate you
I free you

The wall comes tumbling down
I pull bricks away with a frown
But there is no joy in your eyes
There are no heaving sighs

You stare back at me
With vision that does not see
My fit of pique went on too long
There will never be another song

Your spirit has fled
Nothing left to wed
Nothing more to be said
Nothing but an empty bed

sigh

For the next one
I shall keep detention
To just a day

The Pig Is Getting Ready To Fly at the Flying Dragon!

Get ready for one of the greatest children's stories of all time, Charlotte's Web, to be adapted and performed, Flying Dragon style!  Mark down Saturday at 7 or Sunday at 3 the third and fourth weekends of September!

The Zuckerman farm cast of Charlotte/s Web!  Many great young talents here, including in the second row, newcomer Courtney Courson, second on left in the striped shirt, who has been very impressive as Charlotte.  Also playing Charlotte is the gifted thespian, Kasie Jones, standing in the very back row in a pink shirt.  

The Arable farm cast of Charlotte's Web.  In the very front is the very sweet and talented Emma Jacobs, playing Wilbur, the very special "some pig". In the back is Aidan Jeffords, also playing Wilbur; Ciara Johnson playing Mrs. Arable, Elizabeth Beck and Kayla Peacock are our Ferns, and the tall dude in the Flash shirt is my son  playing his first "father" part, Mr. Arable.


Charlotte's Web is written and directed by Kimberly Elizabeth Beck with assistance from Chris Jeffords.

More Charlotte's Web pictures and information to come!  Keep following The Strait Line!

Harmony Weekend with Doug

By all rights, we should have taken a picture of Doug this weekend.  But we were so into just the visit, that all we got was this picture of Benjamin at the New Harmonies exhibit. harmonies exhibit.

The last one I got was at our recent trip to Atlanta, when My Three Sons posed for the this picture at Turner Field.  Doug is in sun glasses on the....left.  Well, he's wearing shades.

And now he's off to California, leaving September 1st, just four days from now.  Doug will be living near San Jose, and my oldest son, Greg, has been in the L.A. area for years.  

Doug married in November of last year, and will by finally moving out to join his beautiful bride.  He just finished up his Master's degree at Georgia Tech, and has wrapped things up here to facilitate the move.  He has no job lined up out there yet, but he is an environmental scientist, and I hope that bodes well in a state like California.

Doug came in late Friday, and was gone early Sunday morning.  So everything was concentrated on Saturday.  We did go to the New Harmonies exhibit of the Okefenokee Heritage Center, where as you can see Benjamin considered taking up a new instrument.  Doug had a choice of any area restaurant for his last Waycross meal in quite awhile, and he chose Wong's.  We even saw Paul Tang, who even though he only sees Doug on rare occasions, remembered his name, who he was, and details about him that exceeded my own memory.  Wong's is one of Waycross' great treasures.

But most of the day we spent with each other, doing things the Strait boys liked best.  Playing video games and outdoor stuff like Frisbee with Benjamin, board games with the whole family, watching a movie (X-Men:First Class this time), and of course, long conversations.

Doug has meant a lot to me over the years, and to Benjamin and Alison.  After my divorce to his mother, he accepted us whole-heartedly.  We don't use terms like step or half brother in our family.  Benjamin has only been his brother, plain and simple.  He has been a tremendous positive influence on Benjamin, including Benjamin's desire to someday go to Georgia Tech, and his interest in science.

Yes, you say to yourself, we can do this.  We can plan trips to California.  We will see them both again.  I keep telling myself this,

But it doesn't stop my heart from catching.

Sturm und Drang Hit the Strait Line

My son Doug was here last weekend for a final visit before he moves to California on September 1st.  We fit into a short time many of the things that we traditionally did in our visits, including some great conversation.

See movies with my boys is one of those traditions.  They started going to see movies with me from toddler hood on up.  A Strait boy learns very quickly how to behave in a movie theater.

Unfortunately, nothing was playing at the local bijou that warranted out attention.  So instead I marshaled a list of movies available on our streaming services, and we found one the whole family would like.  We sat down to watch it when a lightning strike hit very close to our house.  Our power went out for a few seconds...and the Internet and wireless were gone!

We did not get Internet back until yesterday, and we still are out wireless and Benjamin's den TV.  We will be working on the restoration of these over the next few days.

All this is to partially explain why there has been no new posts since Thursday night's pseudo-poem.

In review, here are my excuses -

1) The lightning dog ate my Internet.

2) My son Doug was here far a final visit before leaving for California.  Obviously I wanted to maximize every second with him.

3) I had a physical problem, something wrong with my left knee, that made it difficult to sit at the computer and concentrate on writing something new.  After baffling a couple of doctors, it is finally starting to get better on it's own. so hopefully soon, when I go to write a fiction story, I won't be thinking, "Once Upon A Time...aHHHHHHHHHH!"

But I'm back now, hopefully new fiction by Friday.  I hope to put new posts soon about the Flying Dragon's Charlotte's Web, more Ripping Good Yarn's stuff about the TV Hall of Fame, New Harmonies, and more about Doug's visit.  I have a Crowley story planned, and it will be good to get back to History of the Trap. And to those brave few that are Wattpad fans, I hope to add a lot more to that.

Well, if nothing else, I hope y'all give me some brownie points for endurance.  Over 600 posts, most of which have been put on the last two years.  Enough material to publish a book!

Hmmmm.

Now there's an idea!

Colors Round the Posey

Purple
   Veined
      Snausages

Red
   Velvet
      Snakes

Green
   Snockered
      Hydrangeas

Blue
   Waved
      Corned Copias

Orange
   Tinged
      Marmaduke

Yellow
   Bellied
      Potlickers

Black
   Addled
      Langoliers

White
   Fragged
      Rockles

Dancing round a maypole
with streamers of eight colors
like a waving box of crayolas
Round and round
Until
They All Fall Down

             


     

Rules of the Strait Line Blogway

A long time ago, in a land far away, I coached Debate.  The team that I coached, from Cass City, Michigan, finished third in the state in their school size.  That is the highest they had ever finished, to that date.  Debate formats at that time were odd.  A lot of it depended on who could the throw the most quotes in direct refutation of the other team's quotes.  Some judges just kept scorecards of who could get the most quotes in.  Well researched fast talkers who could get the most sources in often had the advantage.

Back in the days before the Internet and Google,  it was often the school with the most resources, the most magazines and source materials to pull from that had the advantage.  Our school was not that wealthy, and would always lose a war of quotes.  So we decided to take a different tack.  The affirmative team was very confident, had one solid case, and concentrated on presenting that.  They did so with non-verbal aplomb, reflecting a fiery confidence in their vision,  The negative team was almost sneering in their disdain, and had basic quotes to refute any case presented.  We concentrated on the non-verbal as well as the verbal, but were factual and slightly more rhetorical.  They were a very smart, very good group of kids and I was very proud of them.

Now that we have the beauty of the Internet and rapid search engines, it is easy to build a wall of quotes to defend your position.  And there enough sources on either side to bolster a case for anything.  Jesus was a Buddhist?  I can prove that!  Hitler never killed the Jews?  I can find articles to support that ludicrous proposition!

I could fill my opinion pieces with quotes and sources, and spend hours building a pseudo-scientific case.  It easy to chain together whatever you want.  I choose not to do that.  One, it is not a very interesting way to write.  Two, I don't want the victor to be the last person to find a quote.  I don't want to be simply the fast talker to be the winner.

So my opinion/commentary pieces are not often a string of material or quotes from other sources.  This is not unusual, and is fairly standard for editorials and commentary.  Although nothing is made up whole cloth, I'm not trying to engage in source wars.  I am pleased to answer any comments and try to support my position in that way, but I just don't think it makes good writing to present a string of quotes.

I'm not trying to run columns that try to convince you that global warming is real.  Not by a list of source documents.  They exist, but I figure you can find those on your own.

I'll talk generally about gun control, but I won't engage in a war of statistics, that both sides could play until they're blue in their face.

The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) is at a tough stage, and both sides are armed to to the teeth with "facts" supporting their position.  I don't know at this point if I can convince someone of one thing or another about it, even if I spend days compiling facts about it.  It comes down to whether or not universal health care is an important value to you or not.  If it is not, then I don't know if there is anything that I could say or present to convince you.  If it is, and you think the law is imperfect (as all laws are) then you will want to work within it to improve it.

The opinion/commentary/essay pieces that I do are well within the type of literature/writings that are considered proper and respectable.  I will never deliberately lie or try to obfuscate the truth, but I will present my own point of view.  And I will do it more with rhetoric, reasoning and passion than I will with strung together quotes.

I hope that when I retire that I will have the time to research and put together more scholarly posts. But I keep having this pesky work thing I have to do.  And I have many other types of writing I like to do (fiction including History of the Trap and the Crowley Stories, Ripping Good Yarns, theater, poetry, and Monday Musings). Anyways, I will try to support the information I give, answer questions that are posed to me, and never knowingly give false information.

Oh, yes!  Retire and have time for scholarly research!  Area 51, I can't wait to assemble the truth about you!

Na-no Na-no,

T. M. Strait

Ripping Good Yarns: Second Annual Favorite Genre Awards

Continuing our glorious television awards, we have our second year winners in the division of specific genres.  Most of this is a gut reaction based on past general comments by Rippers, and by my own choices.  I did not get sufficient votes in most categories to make a vote count be the determinant of the outcome.  We'll work on that, and as the Ripper Movement continues to gain strength, we will have more input to make these decisions.

All categories do not include shows that have won one of our previous awards.

But enough general jawboning.  Let's get on with the awards!

Favorite Science Fiction Show:    

Falling Skies   

This show actually won short series last year, and it was a good show.  But I think it was much better this year.  The alien invasion universe got much richer, with additional alien species, and a mole/spy within the camp. If it shows the same level of improvement next year as it did this year, this show could reach Hall of Fame classic status!

Favorite Medical Drama:


Private Practice


A final fond farewell and salute to this program in it's last, season particularly our extraordinary local actress who shined, KaDee Strickland.

Favorite Horror Show:

American Horror Story: The Asylum


Eerie...creepy..imaginative...the final episode struck me in the emotional gut as much as anything I had ever seen on television.  Jessica Lange is an extraordinary actress and deserves every award she can get.  A great anthology, with a different story-line each year, using an ensemble cast who get to play completely different roles each season.

Favorite Fantasy Show:


Once Upon A Time


Disney figures out once again how to make money off of fairy tale characters.  But they do it so well, who can complain?  Great show, and can't wait to see where they go next season!  And they'll a second show, spinning off into Never Neverland.

Favorite Mystery/Detective Show:


Breaking Bad


I have finally caught up to date on this show and all I can say is...WOW! Walter White is one scary villain/antihero.  It took me awhile to appreciate this program, but now I am completely on board!

Favorite Western:


Hell On Wheels


I really like this show.  It has been very good, and has shown a lot of potential.  It is a gritty, realistic western.  I'm not trying to take away from this quality drama when I say that I can't think of any other western on television.  I really like this kind of show, and wish there were more of them.  Let's bring back the western!


The next and final category for our television programs will be nominees to the Ripping Good Yarn Hall of Fame.  What are your favorite shows of all time?  Please only nominate shows that are no longer on the air,  also no reality , game or news shows.  M*A*S*H should not be nominated, as it won last year, and is honored as our first Hall of Fame entrant.  But now it needs some company!  So get your nominating hats on, Rippers!  You have the whole history of television before you!

C'mon, fellow Rippers!  Let the nominations begin!

Pixie Dust: The Fix Is In

We are failures.

Our first foster has turned into an adoption.

But what could we do?  She fit so well into our family.  Every day she has gained in comfort and confidence.  She has been affectionate, obedient, house-trained, and a perfect bridge between the play styles of Ellie Mae and Cocoa Bear.  How could we say no when we have watched her emerge form her shyness into a loving and cheerful dog?

Today I take her in to be spayed.  It is part of the policy of the Okefenokee Humane Society, but more importantly, it is standard for a pet in our household.  The overpopulation and lack of good homes here in this area is heart-breaking, and I understand why the Humane Society promotes spaying/neutering.  I was very happy that Benjamin got to spend several days of his summer break helping out at the shelter.

Anyways, I hope all goes well today, and once she is back home again, and her spirits are restored, I think we should have a little welcome to your home party.

Our house has been struck with the magic of Pixie Dust.  And we couldn't be happier!

Tunnel Lights Monday Musings

It was a very disheartening weekend, but rather than focus on that, I will focus here on the tunnel lights that I could find.

I saw two great shows this weekend...The Downtown Follies performed by  WACT was one of the best variety shows I have ever seen.  Variety shows usually leave me cold, trying to figure out how many performances I have to endure until it is through.  But not this time.  Great songs, including a very good new original song from Connor Griffin,  entertaining dance segments, and genuinely world class funny comedy skits.

The second show was the Broadway Revue at the Flying Dragon.  It was a very nice showcase for a lot of young talent, giving a large number of young people exposure to the stage in a low pressure, supportive environment.  I stayed after and watched tryouts for Charlotte's Web, which I think will be one of Flying Dragon's finest shows.

I got to do a reading in church, and I always enjoy doing that.

We ate out for Alison's Mom's birthday.  That was nice.

I am caught up now with Breaking Bad.  Walter White is one nasty dude.

So far, Benjamin has received all 100s in his school courses.  I hope he keeps it up.  With Republicans and even some misguided Democrats trying to eliminate or reduce the scope of the  the Hope scholarship in Georgia, he'll need better and better grades to stay qualified, or he'll have to qualify for other scholarships.

The lawn mowing staggered throughout most of Saturday, thinking it was going to storm any minute.  With Benjamin's help, it did finally get done.

I had been greatly discouraged that people just didn't keep books on display in their house any more, but I received many nice responses to a post on Facebook, from people around the country, who still have 100 or more books on display in their house.  Viva la books!

Until next time,

T. M. Strait

Ripping Good Yarns: Book Selection OCD Style!

What do I read next?

Book lovers have their own different methods for determining that.  Some may go to the library and pick something they fancy.  Some may peruse ebook titles and download something new.  Some go to a great local bookseller, like Waycross' fabulous Read Me Again Books,  and pick out something that looks good, or they're advised to based on a knowing clerk's evaluation of their interests.  Others hear about books from their friends, and want to read them so they can share.  Others see a movie and then want to follow up with a book.

A handful may have actually bought a few books ahead, and pick out the one they are most interested in at the time they peruse their collection.

I, of course, do none of those things.  My selection method is individual to me, and I don't necessarily recommend it to anybody else.  It is something I enjoy, and have a great deal of fun doing, but I don't expect anyone to emulate it.  In fact, many of you will think it is down right weird.

Well, to each his own.

Nevertheless, I have received inquiries as to how I pick so and so book, or why I haven't started so and so book, so I thought some explanation was in order.

I have a notebook where I list every book I have purchased to be read.  I purchase quite a bit, because I love books, and nothing gives me greater pleasure (outside of the usual family and God exceptions) than getting new books.  But I do get them at a faster clip than what I can read.

As I select a book to read, it gets crossed off the list.  Currently, I have 75 books on the list to read.  This includes graphic novels and some science fiction magazines.  I select 10 books to read from the list, and read them in the order that they were selected.

I have dice as an app on my iPhone.  I roll a number, 2 through 12, start at the beginning of the list, and count down that number of unread books on my list.

I have a rolled a 7.

The first book I will read is Vol. 9 Bone by Jeff Smith.  It is a great all ages comic story that he has created, and this is the last volume of his epic.  Jeff Smith was honored as Cartoonist for Waycross's Cartoonist Walk of Fame, the very best idea Waycross has ever had, and has been abandoned in recent time. This final volume is entitled Crown of Horns.

My next roll is a 5.

The second thing I will read is Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine from September 2011.  They usually contain some great short detective and crime fiction.  Very often, I prefer these short tales to longer mystery books.  This is the 834th issue of this magazine.

My next roll is 9.

The third book is Warlord of Mars: Dejah Thoris Vol. 1 Colossus of Mars written by Avrid Nelson and illustrated by Carlos Rafael.  It is a graphic novel spun our of Edgar Rice Burroughs John Carter Warlord of Mars series.

My next roll is 6.

The fourth book is Supervolcano:Eruption by Harry Turtledove, about what would happen if a supervolcano erupted in Yellowstone.  This is an event that scientists have conjectured is possible, and Harry Turtledove speculates on what things would be like if that actually occurred.  Harry Turtledove is an excellent alternate history writer, and that just happens to be one of my favorite forms of fiction.

My next roll is 2.

The fifth book is Christina Alberta's Father by H.G. Wells. I am a great fan of H.G. Wells and try to collect all his novels, not just the science fiction ones.  This was written in 1925, and is not exactly science fiction, but does deal with the collision between reality and imagination, romance and practicality, romance and free love.

My nest roll is 3.

The sixth selection is a Worlds of If Science Fiction Magazine from May 1952.  I love these, and have been reading from this magazine since I was 8 years old! This issue features a story by Hugo winning author Walter Miller, Jr. and John Jakes.   Yes, that John Jakes who will be the Guest of Honor at Writer's Convention in St. Augustine in late September.  It is a short story called The Beast.  Looking at his list of novels, the earliest I see is from 1952, so this may be one of his first works ever published!

My next roll is 5.

The seventh book is the graphic novel Swamp Thing Vol. 1 Raise Them Bones written by Scott Snyder and illustrated by Yanick Paquette and Marco Rudy.  It is from DC's New 52 line, and represents the umpteenth redo of this character.  Oh, well.

My next roll is 9.

The eighth book is the second part of the Supervolcano series, Supervolcano: All Fall Down by Harry Turtledove.  I guess that must mean the first book must at least leave a few people alive.

My next roll is 9.

The ninth book is the graphic novel World's Finest Vol. 1 The Lost Daughters of Earth 2 written by Paul Levitz and illustrated by George Perez.  It stars Power Girl and Huntress.  Power Girl is actually Super Girl but from a an alternate Earth, and The Huntress is Batman's and Catwoman's daughter, and....okay, this may be too much to explain.  Another DC New 52 compilation.

My final roll is 7.

The final selection is yet another DC New 52 book.  Superboy Vol. 1 Incubation written by Scott Lobdell and illustrated by R. B. Silva.  It may seem like I have a lot of graphic novels, and I do.  The list is actually about even between books on one hand and graphic novels and magazines on the other.  It's just the luck of the roll.

But the good news about graphic novels is that they are shorter to read, and it makes the next time I can draw books that much sooner!

Huzzah!

Until the next ten,

T. M. Strait

Dancing with the Scars

O what a bee-you-tee-full morning!  Teresa Smithson is starting a great day!

Teresa starts the day fresh, her husband already gone to work, and she has the time to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee, sitting in her favorite chair, looking out the bay window of her living room.  She sees the other houses on her cul-de-sac, and detects no creature stirring, not even Florence Sprouse, who is often up early trimming the shrubs and tending to the flowers in her yard.

Her husband Jimmy has gone off to start his day at Compton Paper Mill, where he is a day shift supervisor.  Things had not been going well at the mill, the paper industry being in a bit of a flux, but Jimmy was still getting the hours in.  He mumbled something last week about a Chinese mill undercutting them, but that was all she heard.  He was up for a promotion six months ago, and didn't get it.  He seemed very unhappy with the Compton boys that were running the mill for their daddy.

But she wasn't going to worry about it.  Jimmy didn't share much, not verbally.  She just had to read his moods.

Coffee finished, she dressed in her yoga clothes, black long sleeve yoga tee with black shorts and black leggings.  It was her Dark Night outfit.  Yes, it would generate some sweat, but sweat was good, wasn't it.  She was in pretty good shape, firm and fit for 35, but sometimes Jimmy would complain that she was developing a little pooch.

At 9 AM her yoga class started at Rhonda's Dancing Machine, operating in a small storefront just off of Crowley Circle.  It used to be the Video Haus until most video rental places went belly up a few years ago.  Even farther back it was a small general store operated by the Swain's, the family that eventually started the town IGA.

She got into the music, and the slow change of position, the concentration and effort it took.  In her mind, it was a beautiful ballet, and she envisioned herself dancing at Carnegie Hall in New York City, an enthralled crowd watching her every move, ready to burst into a standing ovation as soon as she finished.

At the end of the routine, it wasn't cheering crowds.  It was just Rhonda McQuaig, the yoga instructor, coming over to her.  "Teresa, honey, I know its November, but you know our workout can be quite intense.  You might want to consider dressing a little cooler in the future."  Rhonda was short, a wiry woman with closely cropped black hair, someone who had tried to break into Broadway fifteen years ago, but was now settled back into the town she grew up in.  Her dance and yoga studio wasn't a booming business, but people liked her, and she did well enough.  Especially with her husband, Bill McQuaig, being a Vice President at Okefenokee Bank & Trust.  It allowed her to do what she loved, and it was almost enough to make her forget about missing out on the Great White Way.

"I'm fine, Rhonda.  Really, I am," answered Teresa.

"Well then, how about some water?" asked Rhonda, putting her hand on Teresa's shoulder.

Teresa yanked away quickly, a flash of something Rhonda wasn't sure of crossing Teresa's eyes.  But as suddenly as it was there, it was gone again.  Teresa smiled brightly.  "In a minute, Rhonda.  I'm really into this now, and just want to get a couple of more routines in."

Rhonda smiled and backed away.

When the class was over, Teresa left for her car and although smiling and greeting everyone she saw with a big smile and kind words, she had to admit she was feeling a little woozy.  But sometimes you just had to see things through if you wanted to stay strong and make progress.

She came home, and decided to just have a lettuce wedge, drizzled with raspberry vinaigrette dressing.  She washed it down with eight ounces of tap water.  She would have rather had a bottle of Otter Springs Water, but Jimmy did not abide having it in the house.  He thought it was foolish to spend money on bottled water when you could just get it from the tap.  He didn't want to have a filter on the water, either.  Probably not a big deal to him as he consumed most of his liquid refreshment as beer.

She spent the afternoon cleaning as aggressively as she could.  Teresa wanted the house spotless for when Jimmy came home, with nothing to distract or anger him.  She started to prepare one of his favorites, Shepherd's Pie, when she realized she didn't have enough ground beef to make it.  She put on her long sleeve jacket and her best blue jeans, and left to go to Swain's IGA.

At the store, she wanted to pick out a leaner cut, but she knew Jimmy would fuss if he knew.  She would just have to sit and pretend to eat it with him.  He never seemed to notice that she wasn't really eating anything.  She also picked up some new razors, designed for a Lady Schick.  She passed by a drink cooler that had a cold Otter Springs in it.  It was bad of her, but she just couldn't resist. 

She stood in line.  There were two ahead of her.  The first was a fairly well-dressed woman whom she had not seen before.  The second was Dotty Mathers, a large framed woman with a strict, Calvinistic air.  She was huffing as the woman in front of her was using a food stamp card.  The woman turned to her and smiled.  Dotty said, as cold as ice, "Nice jewelry and clothes for somebody using food stamps."

Teresa was infuriated.  She wanted to apologize to the woman, but the woman was gone before she could react.  "Dotty Mathers," she scolded. "That was a mean, unfair thing to say!"

Dotty just looked at her as if Teresa was a bleeding heart liberal Satanist.  "That's my hard earned tax dollars going to some lazy, good for nothing who doesn't want to chip her nails!"

"You don't know anything about that woman!  You don't know anything about her life or what she's been through or what led her to need that support!  You...you... just don't know"  Teresa was losing her coherency.  It had been a long time since she had gotten that visibly upset in public.

Dotty just huffed and said, "Hmmpfh.  Well, we certainly miss seeing you in church."  And then Dotty left, her nose held high.

Back in her car, Teresa nervously held the water.  She drank it deep and too quickly, almost forgetting to enjoy the pleasure of its taste.  She came home only to find Jimmy's car already there.  His shift must have been cut short.  That would put him in a foul mood. 

She quickly gathered her purchases and brought them inside.  As she unpacked, she realized she still had the water bottle.  Jimmy came in to the kitchen and she hid it behind her back.  She smiled broadly and asked him about his day.  He grumbled and said he wanted supper as soon as she could get it ready.

When he left, she disposed of the bottle and breathed a sigh of relief.  She fixed his dinner.  When they ate, she asked how his day was and he just grunted.  She wanted to ask why he was home early, but she didn't want to chance aggravating him.

She got out some vanilla ice cream for his desert and was going to put some canned peaches on top.  "Peaches?" he screamed. "I don't want no stinking canned peaches on it!" 

It startled her so much that she dropped the stemmed juice glass she used to serve him ice cream, and it fell to the floor, shattering into a dozen pieces.  He came over to her, stared into her face.  He was angry, and she could smell his hot, liquored breath.  "Clean that up!  Then bring me some 'nilla ice cream topped with chocolate sauce."  He stalked out to the den to watch NASCAR. As he left he mumbled, "Stupid bitch!"

In the bathroom, while Jimmy was in the den snoring, she took off her jacket and shirt and blue jeans, and looked at herself in the mirror.  Under her upper arms, on her stomach, on her inner thighs, the scars were there.  Jimmy never noticed, because he never saw her unclothed anymore, not in the light. 

She grabbed the razor blade, and started to put an end to her bee-you-tee-full day

O Mylecia!

O Mylecia!
My gracious maiden arrive
Her quest is still alive
She clutches me by the hand
We can finally take a stand

O Spazen!
Greatest city of this mighty state
I pray we no longer have to wait
That we are now well past the city gate
And at the Red Inn we bide our fate

O LaRue!
Had we found my maiden's lover at last?
Was our quest now in the past?
Was my time with her done?
Was my reward the eternal shun?

O Justina!
I have served as best I could
Not just as I knew I should
But with all the depth my soul can reach
With every sermon that I could preach

O Mylecia!
I see her come towards us awash in blue
It is the lady that last saw LaRue
She who once loved the mighty Rose
She who our destination knows

O Red Inn!
She tells my lady what she does not want to hear
Our quest is not at an end I fear
LaRue has taken away this woman's son
Delivered him to an unholy one

O unending quest!
He has gone to a sorcerer who hides in Midia
To a barbaric land that is quite forbidia
There delivering her Rose spawned son
In exchange for golden money won

O Justina!
I am not to leave your side!
To Midia we will ride!
And this time I will dare
To my hand in your golden hair

O Mylecia!
I leave with the desire for just this
From her just one stolen kiss
And mayhaps she will forget this mad pursuit
And instead to my love she will recruit

Ripping Good Yarns: I Expect You to Stream, Mr. Bond

I saw it in a fever.

Goldfinger.  Burned permanently into my brain.Only nine years old, I saw it with my family on vacation in the Little Finger of Michigan, near Traverse City.  It was a local theater that bragged that it the world's largest indoor theater mural.  I don't remember the mural.  I do remember the film.

I was very sick at the time.  Within a couple of days I would be hospitalized with pneumonia. But at the time of seeing the film, I didn't know that.  I thought it was the movie.

Ever since, I have been a huge James Bond fan.  I don't think I've missed a film.  I even took my son Greg to one was only about a year and a half years old (I believe it was Octopussy).

Sometime in my early teens, I had a dream.  In that dream I was in a record store.  But you weren't just able to buy musical records.  You could also buy movies!  Movies that played on LPs, and could be played through your television like actual movies.  YOU COULD OWN THE BOND FILMS.  I went thorough the rack of films and picked out all the Bond movies that had come out at that time, even the first two films that I had missed seeing!  It was awesome.

Yes, I had envisioned laser discs and DVDs a couple of decades before they came out.

And now, they've come out with Bond DVD collection that contains all 22 of the Bond films (not including the most recent, Skyfall, and I believe also Never Say Never).  I got Amazon gift card for Christmas and birthday, and carefully watched the price.  When it came to down to a certain level, I was going to snatch and make my childhood dream come true!

Well, last week, the price fell to below what I was waiting for.  I snatched and put in my cart, but I didn't have time to complete the order right then.  

And that's when I saw that the Amazon Prime service, which I have, was going to make twenty of the Bond movies available for free streaming to Prime members.  So, in essence, I already had them.  But not on a treasured disc, but floating in a cloud somewhere, just waiting for me to snatch and play whenever I wanted,

Huh.

Ain't technology grand?

A few weeks ago, Alison wanted to see the movie An Affair to Remember.  None of our streaming services had it, unless you were willing to pay more money.  So I just ordered her the DVD, and when we got it, it came with a note saying that we could now also stream the movie for free on Amazon Prime. She finally got to watch it last weekend.  And can you guess how she saw it?  That's right.  She streamed it.  Why go to the trouble of opening up a DVD box, putting in the DVD player and starting all that up, when you can just punch it up from the comfort of your couch, and be watching it instantly?

Oh yes, the times they are a-changing!  Even faster than my childhood dreams!

Take that, Mr. Bond!

Follies and Revue Week!

Mucho, mucho exciting theatre coming up in Southeast Georgia!  The Downtown Follies put on by WACT and The American Cancer Society should be Fantastic!  I saw a similar show a few years back, and it was the best community variety show I had ever seen!  Great way to contribute to charity AND be massively entertained!

Watching cute toddlers onstage is just ONE of the reasons to catch Flying Dragon's Broadway Revue this weekend!   Come join us and be entertained by some of your favorite numbers from "The Little Mermaid", "Grease," and "Beauty & the Beast" Show Times: Saturday, August 17th - 7:00 PM; & Sunday, August 18th - 3:00 PM Tickets - $5  And I hear some great new talent, as more new families have joined and are contribution their time and talent to the best children,s theater in Southeast Georgia.

Also coming soon to Okefenokee Heritage Center - New Harmonies, a fabulous musical heritage program sponsored by the Smithsonian Institute.  You will not to miss this exhibit, or the many special events surrounding it.


And coming in September - Dracula! - performed by WACT at the Ritz, directed by the very talented Blake Kildow.  I think it's going to be an awesome show and great fun!

Tryouts for Charlotte's Web, to be performed at the Flying Dragon, will be held right after the Broadway Revue performance on Sunday.  I look forward to helping my good friend Kimberly Beck with this one.

Theater's a-popping!  Come check it out!

Rolodexing Friendship

Friendship is not a Rolodex.

Don't get me wrong.  I understand the value of networking.  I really do.  It is good to have friends that you can help you get the hookups you need.

Need a plumber?  You may have a friend who has a cousin who knows a plumber who might be married to a sister of the cousin's brother-in-law.

Need a job?  The best way is to have a friend who can call friends in places that may be looking for work. A personal call beats a resume and application all to Sunday and back.

Suddenly they know a movie producer, or an actor on a ?V show. or  someone in virtually any city you want to go.

And then you think.....are you part of the Rolodex?  When they don't call you for awhile, and then the next time you hear from them, they chat for a few seconds, as if you're close, and then ask an accounting or tax question, and/or refer you to someone else with a question or concern.

It can be nice to have the business connection, although 99.9% of this is done for free and does not lead to paying clients.  Sometimes you get questions that are way beyond your scope of knowledge, and it can be depressing to admit you don't know the answer. Or if they rely on your advice and things go badly for them, you fell responsible.

There's nothing wrong with any of this.  It's hard to imagine the world working without it.

But sometimes it can feel a little...empty.

It's nice to have a friend to talk to, without having to worry about what slot on the Rolodex you fall into.  To talk about things that don't lead anywhere.  About family or kids or job frustrations or church or politics or whatever the cat drug in that night.  It's nice to be vulnerable and open and not worry about where you fit into the Rolodex.  To have a friendship that connects on a deeper level than networked commerce.

No, nothing specific has happened to me.  Just been thinking about it for awhile.  Just thinking about those friendships you had when you were young that seemed to defy categories.  Friendships because you were you and not because of what you did, or how you could fill a slot on a Rolodex.

Treasure all your friendships.  But if you have one that is your friend who is your friend and doesn't care what you do for a living and/or hobby but does care who you are as a person, someone who calls you just to talk to you to see how you're doing and not just to 'network' you, treasure that most of all.

Pictureless Monday Musing

I really don't have a picture of this weekend's activities to post.  I am aware of the consequences of this, but there you go.  I'll just have to deal with it.

I know from the page view numbers I see, that posts with pictures in them generate more page views.  But I and Alison didn't take pictures this weekend, and nothing seems to fit right.  Besides, there is no ad revenue impact to generating more traffic.  So I may be just windmill tilting anyways.

Friday was Alison's birthday.  She is (muffle, muffle) years old.  We went to the monthly Downtown Market in Waycross.  It was a bit smaller than I was expecting, but it is something hopefully building up to be something bigger.  They did have a booth for the Okefenokee Humane Society, and we enjoyed seeing the animals and some of our friends there. We saw the administrator, Charlotte de La Vergne, a very nice person who has done much to turn the Waycross shelter around.  We tried to see how long we might be fostering Pixie Dust, and found out her rescue shelter might be in Canada,  We are becoming quite attached to her, but also want to be good fosterers, and be available to help more.  And, alas, no new pictures of Pixie Dust.

We also had some good friends adopt their children's first family cat, a black cat that the youngest has named Trashboat.    That is a very unique name that their young four year old, Eli, came up with.  It might not be the most dignified name for a kitten, but I do think it shows that Eli has a fierce and independent imagination.  I like it.  And, alas, no pictures of Trashboat to show you.  UPDATE:  Turns out Trashboat isn't quite a unique name, but a character on The Regular Show, a cartoon aimed at a slightly older audience, preteen and above.  Momma is less than thrilled, and I see her point.

We say the movie Percy Jackson:Sea of Monsters.  It was neither great nor awful, not something I will remember much of for long. Benjamin is a huge fan of the series, and he enjoyed the movie,  What more could you ask for?  If it's pictures from the movie, alas, I am too tired and lazy to go to the effort of doing that right now.

And now I see that the looming work week is almost upon me.  I do have the Writer's Guild meeting Tuesday night to look forward to.  I took a hard look and a long consideration to be in the play Dracula, but finally decided I couldn't fit it in, or give it high enough priority.  I do hope to find a way to assist my good friend Kimberly Beck in putting on Charlotte's Web at the Flying Dragon.

Until next time,

T. M. Strait

Long Term Optimist Saturday Political Soap Box 71

I have always been a short term pessimist and a long term optimist.  I believe that things will turn out right, but it might be a really rocky road getting there.

We will have a universal health care system, at least on the level of Canada's.  As the health care reforms fall in place, and some states do better than others, one of the states will explore single payer or a public option.  And like the provinces in Canada did, once one provinces sees it working in another, they will begin to adopt it all over this great land.  But before then, we will hear the squallering and the partisan viciousness as those on the right fight the coming of this tooth and nail.  But come universal health care will.  It is the economical common sense thing to do.  It is the right thing to do.  It is the moral thing to do.

We will reverse economic inequality in this country.  The country has not quite recognized it yet, but I have faith that it soon will.  Otherwise, let's just cut the middle man (ha! - which we are kind of doing by destroying the middle class) and officially name our super rich lords and ladies.  Wages have been stagnant.  Economic mobility - we now rank below almost all European nations.  It is more likely in this country that if you are born poor that you will stay poor, than in virtually any other industrialized country.  But I see Walmart works and food service workers and others trying to organize, and it gives me heart.  Maybe America won't become a feudalistic country.  Restring the middle class is the most economical common sense thing to do.  It is the right thing to do.  It is the moral thing to do.

We have made great progress in civil rights.  Some of the more evil barriers to African Americans have been removed.  Gays and the whole LGBT community are now more open, and their civil rights are rapidly gaining.  It has been satisfying and joyous to watch these changes, particularly among our younger generation.  But...prejudice and hatred still exist.  Voter suppression efforts have increased in recent times, not diminished.  Shows like Big Brother that even casual racism still exists.  Preachers still condemn homosexuality from the pulpit, not realizing the hatred and intolerance they inflame.  But progress is being made.  It makes economic common sense to include everyone.  It the right thing to do.  It is the moral thing to do.

We will adopt common sense gun regulation in this country.  Because at some point, we will not stand by and let our children be slaughtered.  We will not continue to let our dysfunctional political system continue to block legislation that vast majorities of us support.  I know that we have gun rights advocates, some of whom are very extreme in their intensity.  But when people calm down and look at this rationally, I know in my heart there are compromises we can make.  It makes economic sense to do so.  It the right thing to do.  It is the moral thing to do.

We will find ways to reverse climate change.  We need to stop nattering about whether it is real or not, get our heads out of the fricking sand, and RECOGNIZE REALITY.  It is happening, and this is one thing where my optimism is failing me.  I fear it may already be too late, but I pray that it is not.  Solutions lie around us (solar, wind, conservation, etc,) if we only choose to grasp it.  It will vastly improve our economy if we do, and make America number one in the world again, by leading the future in green energy.  It is the economically sensible thing to do.  It is the right thing to do.  It is the moral thing to do.  And if we want to save the planet and leave it in a livable state, it is the ONLY thing we can do.

It is my religious faith that drives me to be a long term optimist.  Jesus sacrificed himself for us for a reason.  And it was not simply so that we could mutter some denominationally  approved catch phrases and thereby gain eternal life for ourselves alone. It is to love God and love others, to be the hands and feet of Christ, and to move each day on earth one fraction of a step closer to heaven.

We can do this, people.

I have faith that, in the long run, we will do just that.

Peace out.

History of the Trap: July Nightmares Part 1

SYNOPSIS:  After being visited in prison by Morgan LaDona Tigh, Lance Martin has agreed to Dr. Duncan's request to detail what happened in the time that Lance is calling "the Trap."  Lance begins his journal by describing the morning before the trap fell, where we learn his father was the Principal of Loren High, that Lance is a Junior. We meet Lance's best friend, Artie Pentler, and their gang. Just as Lance is ready to ask Ginny Estill out, the Trap falls, and they witness the horrible death of two P. E.students as they are caught in some kind of electrical storm.  The students soon realize, as April marches on, that the so-called storm is something more, and that they may be trapped at the school and it's grounds, for a very long time. May involves grizzly murders of staff that remain unsolved, as Lance's father and staff struggle to come to grips with events.  They decide to schedule more activities for the students to become involved with, including sports,  a TV variety show, and the beginnings of the tunnel project. Lance realizes that Ginny has chosen Artie, and finds himself moving closer to the studious, pretty Lisa Carlton.  Lance and Lisa stumble on to a drug ring being led by David Izzner and the band teacher, Mr. Black.  Later, the Guidance Counselor, Mr. Joe Oliver, is found dead, his office ransacked for cigarettes and other contraband.  June ends with Lance having a horrible dream involving dragons that might be part fantasy and part future,is drawing to a close.  

Chapter 6

July Nightmares

I wish I could tell you more scientific and technical details about what we did to survive and the escape attempts that were made.  But I'm afraid I lack Tom Bodell's engineering skills, or David Yankovich's incredible scientific prowess.  So I'm sorry, Doctor Duncan, but I can't relate clearly how some of the things we tried to do were done.

At the beginning of July, the underground tunneling was in full swing.  A direction and method had been established.  With the tools at our disposal, and the hardness of the ground, fraught with stone and granite, it was tremendously slow going.  But at least the effort was under way.

At the end of each day, Tom Bodell would emerge tired and irritated, having spent the day battling David Yankovich over the right methods to use.  Tom was interested in practical results, not David's theoretical yammerings.  Sue Boschman would cozy up to Tom and try to get him to relax.  She had cooled over her conspiratorial rhetoric, at least with Tom, as he had little interest in the how and why of being trapped, and just into the common sense effort to getting out.

Jim Kurrash would emerge dirty and exhausted, having participated in some of the direct excavation.  After a well deserved shower, he would spend the time playing cards with Mary Estill and whoever else wanted to join them.  When the game was done, they would just hold hands and sit quietly.

One of our friends, who had drifted away for awhile, Randy Sherman, was back with us occasionally.  He was ruggedly handsome, or so I was told, with a craggy chin, dusty blonde hair and piercing blue eyes.  He was mostly hanging with the girl friend he had at the time of the trap, Annie Pepper ( the cute blonde cheerleader, whom I had been in one or two plays with), but they had recently broken up, so Randy had wandered back to us more.

Randy was involved with efforts led by Mr. Cairn, the physics teacher and Mr., King, the shop teacher, along with several students including the very bright freshman, Larry Weisman.  They were attempting to build a rocket to see if the could launch it up and over the electric barrier.   There was some speculation as to how high the electrified barrier went up, as some had claimed to see birds fly past the barrier and then back in again.  Like I said, how they were going to pull this off was beyond my understanding.

The most recent meetings I had attended as Student Council Rep did not help clear up as to how all these efforts were being accomplished.  Our count continued to creep down, from 1,167 at the beginning of June, to now 1,139.  Many of these were known, thanks to our improved counting procedures.  The murder of Mr. Joe Oliver was the most notorious, but we also lost three more due to accidents, and as many as five who no longer had the medicines they needed.  It seemed awful, but it would pale in comparison as to what was to come.