This is a rough draft of a narrative that I had to do for my english class in college. I liked it so much I decided to share it with yall. I don't have a title for it yet though... any ideas?
There are some things that young boys do that adults just don’t understand. I think
boys do things that are reckless because the danger makes it all the more fun. I think it’s
similar to the phenomenon of how much more funny it is to misbehave when you know
you’re not supposed to.
When I was 12, my friend Kadan and I decided it would be a
good idea to try and take out some wasp nests by throwing chunks of dirt at them. Were
there better ways to get rid of wasp nests? Yes, there were, but this was definitely one of
the more adventurous ways to do it. I don’t think we started out that morning saying to
each other, “Hey man, lets throw chunks of dirt at wasp nests and get a huge adrenaline
rush!” But as the day wore on and we got more and more bored, things kind of just fell in
place.
Kadan lived on a sort of miniature farm with goats and chickens and such, and
was surrounded by corn fields on two sides. There were several barns scattered randomly
across his property and each one of them had about a dozen wasp nests attached to it. As
we were moseying along outside wondering what we could possibly so to pass the time,
we spotted some of these wasp nests on a couple metal storage units for his family’s
tractors. “Hey,” I said excitedly, “can we get your BB guns and shoot those down?”
Kadan wasn’t too enthused about the whole idea, I think because we really weren’t
supposed to shoot at the buildings and he promptly shot my idea of a good time into a
billion pieces with a harsh, “NO!” I felt like a whipped puppy. But I wasn’t going to let
his dreary attitude dampen my spirits for long. I meandered over to the corn fields and sat
down. Kadan soon followed and sat down next to me. I think we were both pondering the
prospect of a lackluster afternoon and how neither of us wanted to live through one of
those. I reached into the dirt in the cornfield next to us and pulled out a hard chunk of
dirt. I fiddled with it for a little while, breaking pieces off and crumbling them between
my fingers. I threw a piece off into the grass where it exploded with a small puff. “Hey,”
I thought to myself, “that’s kind of groovy.” I picked up another piece and gave it a toss
with the same results. Kadan picked up on what I was doing and joined in the fun. Soon
we were seeing who could throw farther while sitting down. I would like to say I could,
but in reality I think it was a tie. I started to cheat. I stood up and let a few fly. Kadan did
the same and soon we were going crazy, letting chunks of dirt fly in all directions. It
wasn’t long before one of them hit a barn quite close to one of it’s many what seemed to
be decorative wasp nests. The wasps responded by buzzing passionately around their
abode trying to discover what had disrupted their calm lives. I looked at Kadan and we
both smiled sadistically as we rushed to get more ammunition from the corn fields. We
scooped up as many chunks as we could and rushed back to the barn where we lobbed a
continuous stream of dirt at the humble wasps who began to get very irate at our
meanness, although they couldn’t figure out it was us. We tried several different tactics to
get the best shot at the nests; direct hits, shrapnel, they were all fun and exciting and very
spectacular. We eventually knocked the nest down. We didn’t hesitate however, to locate
another nest and begin to assail it with the same barrage of weaponry and tactics we had
so skillfully employed on our last endeavor. These wasps responded with the same
frustration as the last ones, and understandably so. We laughed devilishly as each missile
exploded and the fury of the wasp’s raged on. Knocking down nest after nest never
seemed to get old until we decided to end our mission by taking out the biggest nest of
all. We thought it similar to fighting the end boss in a video game. The nest was located
inside an overhang right above a tractor tire. At first we employed the sniper method;
standing far away as we sent our projectiles sailing through the air toward our target. We
did have good aim but our weapons were not causing any damage. “That armor’s too
strong for blasters!” I said in my excitement. Unfortunately, my little joke went unnoticed
by Kadan, who had never seen Star Wars.
Soon we realized that we had to rethink our strategy for this particular “enemy
installation.” Kadan decided to implement a sneak attack approach: we would sneak
inside the building and climb on top of the tractors right tire. Standing up slowly, our plan
was to launch a huge chunk of dirt at the nest by hurling it straight up. The
get away was the fun part: after our massive bomb had exploded, we would jump down
and crouch in the corner of the building, hoping that our enemies wouldn’t detect us, and
then when the timing was right we would rush outside to safety. We had to take turns for
this tactic though… it was too dangerous to go in full force. I was a wimp I guess,
because I volunteered to go first. I sneaked inside the building and slowly scaled the
massive tire. Ammo in hand, I cautiously stood up and prepared to fire. Mustering up all
the foolishness I had in me, I let my ordnance fly. It exploded directly next to the wasps
base and sprayed it with dusty shrapnel. Kadan howled with laughter as I quickly jumped
off the tire and crouched in the dark corner. The wasps were buzzing viciously around the
nest trying to uncover the source of the disturbance. I stayed crouched in the corner and
waited for my adrenaline to tell me when to make a mad dash out of there. I ran. I didn’t
get ambushed on the way out either. Ahh, safe again, but now it was Kadan’s turn. He
went about his duty in much the same way as I had, slowly scaling the tire, only his
mission was a lot more hazardous that mine was: the wasps were already buzzing with
ferocity! I watched from what I though was a safe distance as Kadan released his bomb
into the nest. It was a direct hit and no sooner had his dirt chunk exploded than I finally
felt the wrath of an angry wasp. It dove out at me right from the nest, swooping down like
a dive bomber at an air show. The nerve of that bug! He didn’t even bother land on me,
he just swooped down with his rear end pointed right at me and stung me, stung me right
above my left eye. I hollered and ran off through a trail that lead down the corn fields. I
wasn’t wearing any shoes and some of the plants were hard and stabbed my feet but I
didn’t care, all I knew was that I got stung by one wasp and for all I knew the whole nest
was after me. I’m sure I broke a sprinting record of some kind that day, I don’t think
I’ve ever run faster. Once I thought I was far enough away I stopped running and sat
down, rubbing my eye which both itched and stung terribly at the same time. Soon
Kadan came trotting up the trail to where I was sitting. He was laughing, laughing! How
could he be laughing? Didn’t he know that I got stung? Didn’t he know that getting stung
hurt? The more I thought about it, the more I realized why he was laughing. We had been
bombarding wasp nests for an hour and a half straight, aggravating so many bugs and I
got stung; I got stung and I couldn’t take it. I felt like such a pansy. I stood up and
laughed with him. “Well I guess that’s what I get” I said.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
6 Random Things About Me!
I suppose I have been shanghaied by Mom into writing six random thoughts about myself.
I don't think I'll follow the rules cause I am evil.
1, I often make random noises for no apparent reason just to amuse myself.
2, I have never had a girlfriend because girls think I am too weird too soon.
3, I hold two, or sometimes even three way conversations with myself on a daily basis.
4, I really don't care what's popular with people my age, I don't really want to concern myself with fitting in with everyone else. It's much more interesting to an individual rather than become just another part of some dumb trend.
5, I have the most genius revelations when I mow the lawn or use the weed-wacker. That's when I come up with the best lines and the best story ideas and it's also where I get my logic from. Unfortunately I usually forget exactly how I had imagined these things when I tell them to people and I end up butchering them.
6, I like words with double o's; poop, doom, spooky, and groovy are just a few, you doofas!
I tag... everyone has been tagged already. :(
I don't think I'll follow the rules cause I am evil.
1, I often make random noises for no apparent reason just to amuse myself.
2, I have never had a girlfriend because girls think I am too weird too soon.
3, I hold two, or sometimes even three way conversations with myself on a daily basis.
4, I really don't care what's popular with people my age, I don't really want to concern myself with fitting in with everyone else. It's much more interesting to an individual rather than become just another part of some dumb trend.
5, I have the most genius revelations when I mow the lawn or use the weed-wacker. That's when I come up with the best lines and the best story ideas and it's also where I get my logic from. Unfortunately I usually forget exactly how I had imagined these things when I tell them to people and I end up butchering them.
6, I like words with double o's; poop, doom, spooky, and groovy are just a few, you doofas!
I tag... everyone has been tagged already. :(
Monday, August 25, 2008
The Continuing Adventure of Douglas R Houghton
For The Intro, Please Scroll Down 2 or 3 Posts
Douglas was born a very inquisitive child and he was constantly going exploring behind his family's home in the woods of woody areas. He was always interested in mysteries of all kinds from the Bermuda Triangle to the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa.
When he grew up, Douglas got into science and held an extreme interest in the field of paranormal research, which ultimately lead to the adventure you will soon be told.
So, as you have already been told, Douglas was on a research vessel in the Indian Ocean when seemingly out of nowhere, a huge storm erupted and sent the craft rocking back and forth rather violently. Douglas was out on the deck at the time and was knocked unconscious by a stray oar from one of the life boats (I think life boats are still in use).
Coming to but still in a daze, Douglas looked about himself to get his bearings. The first thing he noticed was that it was not storming anymore and the sun was shining brightly on his pale skin. He was laying down in the midst of his fellow scientists who were hard at work rowing a small lifeboat through the calm water.
Doug began to struggle a bit to get up and put his hand to his head. He felt a large damp cloth on his head. He didn't know whether the cloth was moist with blood or just seawater, but it startled him nonetheless. His heart began to race and he started squirming around on the bottom of the boat. His friend Jamie put his hand on Doug's shoulder and tried to calm him down; "Doug," began Jamie, "it's OK, you just hit your head really hard, you might have brain damage but don't worry, we're not dead yet. The freaky storm is over but the research boat sank to the depths of the ocean and we can't get into contact with our fellow science team on the other boat that was supposed to be assisting us. We lost all of our equipment cause it was on the boat and we only have enough drinkable water for one day. Nobody has any clue where in this ocean we are because the sextant was lost and the GPS wasn't water proof."
Doug promptly lost consciousness once more.
Douglas was born a very inquisitive child and he was constantly going exploring behind his family's home in the woods of woody areas. He was always interested in mysteries of all kinds from the Bermuda Triangle to the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa.
When he grew up, Douglas got into science and held an extreme interest in the field of paranormal research, which ultimately lead to the adventure you will soon be told.
So, as you have already been told, Douglas was on a research vessel in the Indian Ocean when seemingly out of nowhere, a huge storm erupted and sent the craft rocking back and forth rather violently. Douglas was out on the deck at the time and was knocked unconscious by a stray oar from one of the life boats (I think life boats are still in use).
Coming to but still in a daze, Douglas looked about himself to get his bearings. The first thing he noticed was that it was not storming anymore and the sun was shining brightly on his pale skin. He was laying down in the midst of his fellow scientists who were hard at work rowing a small lifeboat through the calm water.
Doug began to struggle a bit to get up and put his hand to his head. He felt a large damp cloth on his head. He didn't know whether the cloth was moist with blood or just seawater, but it startled him nonetheless. His heart began to race and he started squirming around on the bottom of the boat. His friend Jamie put his hand on Doug's shoulder and tried to calm him down; "Doug," began Jamie, "it's OK, you just hit your head really hard, you might have brain damage but don't worry, we're not dead yet. The freaky storm is over but the research boat sank to the depths of the ocean and we can't get into contact with our fellow science team on the other boat that was supposed to be assisting us. We lost all of our equipment cause it was on the boat and we only have enough drinkable water for one day. Nobody has any clue where in this ocean we are because the sextant was lost and the GPS wasn't water proof."
Doug promptly lost consciousness once more.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
postponed
I don't feel like writing about Douglas's adventure quite yet... I already wrote more of it down on my laptop and I don't want to rewrite it at the moment. Maybe soon the adventure will continue.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
PROGRAM!
Dear Google,
More computer programming is what we need, programming programming programming!
We need more programmers out there to program things, thingsa always need more programming. My robot needs programming every day. I think everyone should learn how to program. Get the hint?
From your non-programmer friend, Joe.
Happy programming everyone!
More computer programming is what we need, programming programming programming!
We need more programmers out there to program things, thingsa always need more programming. My robot needs programming every day. I think everyone should learn how to program. Get the hint?
From your non-programmer friend, Joe.
Happy programming everyone!
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Second Post of the Day! Scooter Tricks, by Ben
Two posts in one day! Scroll down to read the other one! (it's random)
Random Writing... (again)
There was a day when all seemed hopeless, but that day has finally gone away.
There was a day when all seemed lost, but now it has been found again.
I used to wallow in self pity, now I have been brought to life.
When darkness used to overtake me and I couldn't see the light.
Never again will I wander alone through the dark corridors of my deepest fears.
I now have been given a second chance and that was the answer to prayerful years.
Yeah, I just randomly wrote that in like, 1 minute... with no previous thought.
So I don't exactly know what all that means but maybe it's significant somehow... or maybe it's just a bunch of nonsensical gibberish. That's what can happen when I let my mind wander I guess.
How about a random story now? Might as well, I'm on a random roll.
The escapades of Douglas R. Houghton are as follows,
Douglas was an important member of one of the states leading science teams when it all began....
There he was out on a research vessel in the middle of the Indian ocean when suddenly, the fiercest storm erupted out of thin air and sent the craft to pitching and rolling like mad. The radio operator was desperately trying to call for help from the other research vessels in the area but he was not managing to get through to any of them. Doug was out on the deck when all of this was taking place and was occupied with trying to keep his footing when he was knocked unconscious by a stray oar from one of the lifeboats. This of course left him in quite a predicament because he could no longer concentrate on trying to keep his footing and was left to rolling along the deck at the mercy of the violent tempest.
What happened next was truly extraordinary but unfortunately I can't think of what it is at the moment and am forced (by my own will) to wait and conclude/continue the adventure on my next post. I hope I can manage to keep myself interested long enough to finish a story this time, but we will see.
There was a day when all seemed lost, but now it has been found again.
I used to wallow in self pity, now I have been brought to life.
When darkness used to overtake me and I couldn't see the light.
Never again will I wander alone through the dark corridors of my deepest fears.
I now have been given a second chance and that was the answer to prayerful years.
Yeah, I just randomly wrote that in like, 1 minute... with no previous thought.
So I don't exactly know what all that means but maybe it's significant somehow... or maybe it's just a bunch of nonsensical gibberish. That's what can happen when I let my mind wander I guess.
How about a random story now? Might as well, I'm on a random roll.
The escapades of Douglas R. Houghton are as follows,
Douglas was an important member of one of the states leading science teams when it all began....
There he was out on a research vessel in the middle of the Indian ocean when suddenly, the fiercest storm erupted out of thin air and sent the craft to pitching and rolling like mad. The radio operator was desperately trying to call for help from the other research vessels in the area but he was not managing to get through to any of them. Doug was out on the deck when all of this was taking place and was occupied with trying to keep his footing when he was knocked unconscious by a stray oar from one of the lifeboats. This of course left him in quite a predicament because he could no longer concentrate on trying to keep his footing and was left to rolling along the deck at the mercy of the violent tempest.
What happened next was truly extraordinary but unfortunately I can't think of what it is at the moment and am forced (by my own will) to wait and conclude/continue the adventure on my next post. I hope I can manage to keep myself interested long enough to finish a story this time, but we will see.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Lesson #2
Today is cloudy... the sun is not shining... wait... yes it is. The sun is shining above the clouds.
I now have several writing projects going at once. The other day, I began to write down a very quick draft for a fantasy tale that I have been dwelling on for a year now. My problem before was that I was thinking too hard about the little piddly details that didn't matter so much and then I would lose my inspiration for the rest of the day. I learned to fill in those details with simple things that I can just go back to and work out when I am done with a quick draft. That way I won't lose inspiration for the rest of the story because the rest of the story will already be written down, HOORAY!
So, instead of spending endless hour sitting there trying to think of the most groovy name possible for your character, just call him Bob and move on. When you can't think of a good reason for your character to be out of his house, just say that he was buying some butter for the cookies he was making for his nieces birthday party and move on to more important things, like what happened to him next. After you are done writing your first draft you can come back and adjust the details as necessary.
I now have several writing projects going at once. The other day, I began to write down a very quick draft for a fantasy tale that I have been dwelling on for a year now. My problem before was that I was thinking too hard about the little piddly details that didn't matter so much and then I would lose my inspiration for the rest of the day. I learned to fill in those details with simple things that I can just go back to and work out when I am done with a quick draft. That way I won't lose inspiration for the rest of the story because the rest of the story will already be written down, HOORAY!
So, instead of spending endless hour sitting there trying to think of the most groovy name possible for your character, just call him Bob and move on. When you can't think of a good reason for your character to be out of his house, just say that he was buying some butter for the cookies he was making for his nieces birthday party and move on to more important things, like what happened to him next. After you are done writing your first draft you can come back and adjust the details as necessary.
Monday, August 04, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Unofficial Music Vids
Unofficial music videos for some song that reminded me of good stuff. I couldn't find the one I was really lokking for, but I hope you will enjoy these. :)
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Hopeful Beginnings
I have finally begun a screenplay for a story I have been writing for several months now. It only took me 1 1/2 hours to name it. It shall be called... boy don't you wish you could know that! I'm not ever telling, never never never!
But I will say that it is very groovical, with mystery, action, and more mystery and action. It is a sci-fi/fantasy epic of epic proportions, it will awe and amaze even the most hardened critic. It will inspire millions of people worldwide....
OK, on a more serious note, I have only just begun work on a screenplay and the story itself isn't yet set in stone. Screenplays usually take a couple months to finish and when they are finished you usually have to go back and rewrite them half a dozen times before you get the perfect final draft.... It takes about a year and that's when you work steadily at it.
I also have several other stories that will consume my time so this probably won't be done till I'm an old man.
I need to learn to organize my thought more in future posts, I hope this post isn't confusing :/
But I will say that it is very groovical, with mystery, action, and more mystery and action. It is a sci-fi/fantasy epic of epic proportions, it will awe and amaze even the most hardened critic. It will inspire millions of people worldwide....
OK, on a more serious note, I have only just begun work on a screenplay and the story itself isn't yet set in stone. Screenplays usually take a couple months to finish and when they are finished you usually have to go back and rewrite them half a dozen times before you get the perfect final draft.... It takes about a year and that's when you work steadily at it.
I also have several other stories that will consume my time so this probably won't be done till I'm an old man.
I need to learn to organize my thought more in future posts, I hope this post isn't confusing :/
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
No, I Do Hate Money!
Me and My friend Joe Slocum continue our attempt to save enough pennies to purchase our first camera wich will allow us to begin production on several projects already in out heads. About two months ago, I had enough money to purchase my half of the camera but Slocum was struggling with his funds and didn't think it was wise for him to spend money on anything too expensive. Now the roles have been reversed, Slocum has plenty of funds for his half and I seem to not even have enough to pay for anything at all, much less a beautiful camera. Is this what life is all about? Struggling through each day wondering whether or not you will be able to afford the next months rent? Sometimes I wish a winning lottery ticket would get dropped at my feet but I don't think I should rely on anything like that happening in the future... I guess I'll just keep plodding along. :)
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Tough Business
Story writing is a tough business.
Lately I have been trying to get to work on a story about... well, I can't divulge that kind of information at this time, but it is (I think) a unique idea dealing with the exploration of deep space sometime in the future. Oh the possibilities of deep space exploration are endless. The things that you can do are never ending! I will only say that I think I will call it "the Observatory."
With this particular story, I am planning to sell it to whoever or however you do that stuff. Maybe I'll get a little recognition for my concepts... maybe I am being delusional, I don't know. Maybe I need to make some friends in the entertainment business. Anybody know anyone who knows someone?
My many other concepts I would like to work really hard on and maybe take them places... maybe. I get so excited about some of them but I think I have to be careful because I am finding out that some ideas are good enough to be used in huge budget Hollywood productions, namely the climax of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, although I think my way was gonna be better (of course).
I hope that is easy to read and understand, sometimes I feel as if I'm just ranting.
Lately I have been trying to get to work on a story about... well, I can't divulge that kind of information at this time, but it is (I think) a unique idea dealing with the exploration of deep space sometime in the future. Oh the possibilities of deep space exploration are endless. The things that you can do are never ending! I will only say that I think I will call it "the Observatory."
With this particular story, I am planning to sell it to whoever or however you do that stuff. Maybe I'll get a little recognition for my concepts... maybe I am being delusional, I don't know. Maybe I need to make some friends in the entertainment business. Anybody know anyone who knows someone?
My many other concepts I would like to work really hard on and maybe take them places... maybe. I get so excited about some of them but I think I have to be careful because I am finding out that some ideas are good enough to be used in huge budget Hollywood productions, namely the climax of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, although I think my way was gonna be better (of course).
I hope that is easy to read and understand, sometimes I feel as if I'm just ranting.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Hollywood prediction
Just a couple of months ago the thought went through my head "When are they going to remake the movie 'the Day the Earth Stood Still'?" The other day I learned that many of my movie predictions are coming true. Sure enough, a new one is due out later this year. Now I just have to wait and see when the movie "When Worlds Collide" will be out.
Oh, I just checked, When worlds collide, 2010. I am a genius.
Oh, I just checked, When worlds collide, 2010. I am a genius.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
explanation
Below is a video of a goat licking an electric fence. I laughed pretty furiously when I first watched it on youtube and I decided to share it with all of my fans. :/
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
Lesson 1
So yeah, story writing actually takes a lot more than just writing a random story down. Sometimes that will work just fine (like this), but more often than not we need to plan out the story. This takes a lot of patience and often involves writing down all the questions and ideas that will come to your head - like this: What is Chesters occupation? Does he do private investigative work full time or just on the side? What is his relationship with Marie?
This part can often be frustrating and confusing and I have actually given up on several good story ideas as a result of getting too perplexed by these questions. I guess a trick to getting past this stage when you get frustrated is to let it alone for a few days and then come back with fresh ideas. This has proven to be a helpful technique even if it does seem like I am neglecting my work.
As for Chester and Marie, the reason that I haven't really worked on it much is probably because I figure that the story has little potential and therefore I don't really feel like I should waste my time on it. But that is stupid because I knew that when I started writing it and it's on the internet anyways so what's the problem?
This part can often be frustrating and confusing and I have actually given up on several good story ideas as a result of getting too perplexed by these questions. I guess a trick to getting past this stage when you get frustrated is to let it alone for a few days and then come back with fresh ideas. This has proven to be a helpful technique even if it does seem like I am neglecting my work.
As for Chester and Marie, the reason that I haven't really worked on it much is probably because I figure that the story has little potential and therefore I don't really feel like I should waste my time on it. But that is stupid because I knew that when I started writing it and it's on the internet anyways so what's the problem?
Thursday, June 12, 2008
futility
Chester's mind raced furiously as he strode swiftly down the empty streets in search of something that might give him a hint at Marie's whereabouts.
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