Mickey as Action Hero?

Mickey as Action Hero?

Does this work? Since when should Mickey Mouse go from kind-loving Disney character to kick-ass action star in a new Nintendo video game? Secondly, are Disney selling out? Perhaps this is an indication of troubled times ahead.

The world's biggest economy now has a 10% unemployment rate, so perhaps this is not surprising afterall?

Removed work from other website

Hello,

I've removed my work from other websites to place here for your amusement.

Enticing Enoch

Enticing Enoch (c) 2009

Men marched fast on their journey into work
Females flew through the city in their heels

Time ticked through contemplation of one's worth
Run quick do or the race will start to irk
Lives be lost under turning of the wheels

Stand stop stare
Practice pleasure prepare

Change your pace from the moment of your birth
Capture thoughts and express your ev'ry quirk
Live your dream and today know how it feels

Fallen Star

Fallen Star (c) 2009

Star filled night, dimly bright
Below, the waves, gaining height

Cutter creak, driver weak
The mast, might last, til daylight

Salty air, lone despair
A man, his past, marked with blight

Blowing wind, belly thinned
His chance, to sail, end his plight

Sails unfurled, over world
Boat pushed, though frail, draining might

Land not near, conquer fear
Regrets, subside, no more fight

Fallen star, gone too far
Inside, lost pride, endless spite

Love had gone, soon the dawn
Would come, his end, in his sight

Wash away, bring the day
Big wave, his friend, give him flight

Water crashed, cutter smashed
By sea, the man, into night

Soon be drowned, but around
Came ship, that ran, to his right

Water breath, soon be death
Alas, he cried, to a light:

"Let me be, fin'lly free!"
Instead, rope tied, pulling tight

From the sea, caught was he
'Gainst rope, he strained, losing fight

Fallen star, gone not far
Forget, the graves, not tonight.

Edge of Time

Edge of Time (c) 2009

With focused might, she had lived on
Her bedroom -- nights, her errands -- dawn

Her crinkled eyes, now dimmed to see
Her wrinkled face, smiles used to be

Determined steps, though legs were weak
A crumbling frame, the outlook bleak

Most had all gone, the ones she knew
Same routine day, with nothing new

Few people stop, they pass her by
Few tears are left, emotions dry

Though mem'ries there, from all her life
Her joys, her hopes, her pains, her strife

Soon will be lost, another voice
Care not for them, that is a choice

The edge of time, draws quite near
Engage her not? ... Or lend an ear? ...

Flash Fiction

Flash Fiction writing

This is just a short writing I decided to pen on a whim. Enjoy!
------

His hands fumbled to grab hold of any exposed rock, jutting from the thick snow of the mountainside. A harsh wind blew across his face, freezing him to the core. Snow swept from the precipice on which he was balanced, billowing into the air. He strained to look around. As he shifted along the edge, a throaty growl ripped through the air. Looking upwards, he could see the white bear making its descent. The snow began to whip harder at his exposed hands and face.

"Shit!" he exclaimed. Adrenalin pumped through his veins as he scrambled to better his position.

The bear moved closer. A fierce growl shook the ground. Snow crashed down from above upon the ledge.

"Fuck!" yelled the man, as he almost lost his balance. Options were growing limited. He looked around him and then spotted another outcropping more than a metre beyond his reach. Jumping would be the only way.

Almost sensing the "prey's" departure, the bear slid down the mountain, coming within striking distance of the man. Then positioning himself, the man closed his eyes and made a quick prayer. His eyes opened to focus on the chasm he had to cross. Taking a deep breath, he jumped ... and landed on the other side.

Boredom

Boredom (c) 2009



I don't have the time
To rhyme

I don't have the will
To thrill

I don't have the might
Nor insight
To end my plight


I'm not able with ease
To please

I'm not able with brain
To train

I'm not able with telling
Through spelling
Something compelling


I have nothing to do
That's new

I have nothing to say
This day

I have nothing to contemplate
Yet await
A change of my state

Chapter 4

Serialized Novel - Chapter 4

Chapter 4 - Destatown

Rather than rely on public transit, I caught a cab to my parents' home. The neighbourhood had shown definite signs of improvement. It had been reimaged with a cleaner appearance. Graffiti had been replaced with billboards of our "cheerful" Mayor. His grin was around every corner. And so were cameras, mounted everywhere.

As the cab dropped me off in front of the house, I glanced down the street. Each renovated home looked like a duplicate of the one before. The street seemed oddly quiet. Everyone must be at work. The exception was six houses down on the right side, where I could see a black car with two occupants. They appeared to be sitting in silence together. I walked up the path to the front door where my mother awaited.

She grabbed me and pulled me in close, tears flowing. I encouraged her to recede to the kitchen, out of the eyes of any passers-by.

"Mom, tell me what happened." I pulled up a chair for both of us.

She explained, "Your father went in search of Lindy."

"Near the plant?"

"Yes. Your father told me he felt this time Lindy went missing seemed different. He swears that he locked the gate the other night."

"How long has Lindy been gone?"

"A few days now. We didn't worry after the first night."

"I got your email, Mom. Sorry I didn't have time to read it earlier. Tell me what happened to Dad."

She glanced downwards, rubbing her hands. "He went in search of Lindy, as I said. He walked around the neighbourhood and I guess made his way over to the power plant."

"Did he say he had?"

"When he phoned me he said he was near the power plant, he said it looked really impressive at night time. 'Tons of security,' he had said. I then heard some voices. He told me he had to go."

"What happened then?"

"The next call I got was about fifteen minutes later. He said the police had asked him some questions and they needed for him to come into the station."

I remarked, "Did he sound under stress? Was it matter-of-fact?"

"I'm worried. I don't know. He didn't sound under too much stress when he called, but there was something in his voice. I don't know. I'm just worried about him. That was the last call I had from him and have heard nothing since. What if something's happened to him?" She cried into her hands.

I rubbed her back. "Don't worry, Mom. That's what I'm here for. Did he mention which station?"

"No, he didn't. I think it would be the main one."

"Have you tried calling anyone to find out?"

"I called you, dear."

"I know you did. But any police?"

"No, you're the first one I thought to call."

"Ok, Mom, let me turn the kettle on, while I make some calls. You sit here."

I made some calls using the landline phone. No one was helpful. It was like no one knew where he was. The people I spoke to said they had no record of any Reg Adiltro. I decided to call Alana. No answer. Now where could she be? Maybe someone else at work could make some inquiries for me. I dialed a few numbers. No answer. I dialed my work's reception centre. Automated recording. Damn!

"Don't worry, Mom, I'll find someone to help us," I said as I saw her tension grow. I served her some tea as my mobile phone rang. "Hello?"

"Nolan?" It sounded like Alana.

"Yes. Alana is that you?"

"Nolan, they're shutting us down."

"What? Who?"

"I've got to go. Will call you again soon." The phone call ended.

Just then I heard a knock on the front door. A voice from outside called in, "Wira Adiltro? Are you there?"

My mother rose to her feet, but I gestured for her to sit back down. "Mom, let me take care of whoever it is."

"But maybe it's the police? Maybe they have Reg?"

"I'll check it out. Will call you if I need you, Mom."

Instead of going directly to the front door, I made my way to the front room to surreptiously peer from behind the curtains. There it was, the black car was now in my parents' driveway. Both men were at the front door dressed in business suits. They almost caught me looking from behind the curtain as I ducked my head away. They banged again at the door, calling for my mother to answer. I could see she was now on her way to meet them.

"Mom? I told you to stay put."

"I don't want them to leave if they know about your father. I should answer the door."

"Mom, please. I'll take care of it. You go back to the kitchen."

More banging. I had to do something. I scanned the front room for anything to offer assistance. I could not find any instrument of value. I grabbed a book from the table. It had to do.

"Wira Adiltro, we would like to talk to you."

I opened the door with book in hand.

"I'm Nolan Adiltro. My mom's indisposed at the moment. Perhaps I can help you."

Both men smiled.

Chapter 3

Serialized Novel - Chapter 3

Chapter 3 - Citizens Aware

Rush hour traffic was to be expected: slow and tedious. Eventually I was in my office. I settled behind my desk, powered up the computer and grabbed a coffee. By the time I returned a colleague was sitting in my chair.

"Whatcha doing, Alana?" I asked.

"Waiting for you."

"Well, I'm here now."

"I can see that," she said with a smile. "I imagine you saw the latest news report." Her smile faded.

"I caught it first thing, this morning."

"And your thoughts?" she asked, tapping her palm with a pen.

"Well, there's something about him I don't trust. I grew up in Destatown. Spent most of my life in that area. I remember how it used to be. The crime. The homelessness. So many people were out of work. Then Mayor Craft gets elected on the promise to do things different. I guess by that point people lost hope, so they figured, why not elect him? What do they have to lose?" I explained.

Alana broke in with, "When times are bad, people will back anyone, especially radical ones."

"Exactly," I agreed. "His political party was not even a contender years ago. More of a pipe dream. Now look. They're in charge! It's crazy."

"Nolan, looks what he's accomplished," she countered. "Crime has been dramatically reduced. The city has renewable power. Homelessness is virtually non-existent."

"I appreciate you playing devil's advocate, Alana, but no one can make those kind of sweeping changes so fast. No one. Besides, my folks live not far from that plant. It's a virtual forbidden city in itself. It's immense in size and so carefully guarded."

"We wouldn't want terrorists to get their hands on that kind of power. Literally."

"No, of course not. But ... I mean, renewable power that emits zero carbon that's not solar, not wind power, not something that can be taken seemlessly from the environment."

"I think it's bio-something. I think someone hinted at that."

"But still, Alana. It sounds way too good to be true."

"Do you hate him because your town has been cleaned up?" she laughed. "Does it erase all those memories?"

I laughed at the suggestion. "What utter bullshit! No, it's not that. It's just that--"

"You wish you could've done something before Mayor Craft had?"

"Alana, seriously there's something about him. He does not seem trustworthy. You're familiar with the platform of his party. It's fairly xenophobic. 'Our city for our people,' I think Craft said. We both know what he means by 'our people'."

"Perhaps, Nolan, perhaps. I just think you're too quick to judge. Besides, we're now about the only outfit working against him."

"Does that mean you plan to quit?" I asked.

"No ..." she paused. "It's just that maybe 'Citizens Aware' should be less judgmental of him."

"I think we're fairly impartial. It's just that every other Tom, Dick and Harry--" It was at this point that a familiar face poked his head into our conversation.

"Alana, Nolan ... I think we've had enough coffee chat for today, haven't we?"

We both agreed with our boss. "Yep."

"Gooood." He liked to drag out the "o's" when he said it. We knew enough to return to our work, our discussion would have to wait.

I returned to my computer and saw an email from my parents. I read it quickly.


Dear Nolan,

Hope you are well. When are you coming to visit next? You should
see the plant. It looks amazing at night. Some sad news though.
Lindy has gone missing. Your father took him for a walk last
night and put him outside to do his business before we went to bed.
But when your father called him inside, he didn't come back. The
gate was open, so we think he got out, though your father said he
locked it. Lindy is still rambunctious and will probably return
before feeding time tomorrow. We should really get him neutered.

We both love you lots and hope everything is going well for you.
Send us an email when you find time from your busy schedule.

Love Mom and Dad
xxx


I had no idea why my parents did not consider getting Lindy neutered. They mentioned how much it cost, but I told her I would even pay for it. I explained that my job was going well now. The last thing we needed was more strays being born in the city. Of course, Mayor Craft would probably get rid of them too.

Just then a call rang through to my direct work phone. I picked it up and could feel the emotion pouring from the other end of the phone.

"Mom? What's wrong?"

She stammered, "R-R-Reg! Oh my God, they've taken him, Nolan!" She was in tears.

A million questions entered my mind as to my dad's welfare. "Who? Who's taken Dad?"

"The police!" she cried.

"Mom, calm down. What do you mean the police took Dad?"

She strained to speak, "H-H-He was out looking for Lindy ... somewhere near, near the plant ... the police asked him questions!"

"And? And? Mom! Please keep calm. What questions? What do you mean they took him?"

"He called me on his phone, Nolan ..." she cried. "Saying, saying the police ... they were taking him to their headquarters. ... Oh, Nolan! What am I to do?!" She could barely speak.

"Mom, stay where you are. I'll be right over."

"Oh, please hurry, dear, please hurry."

"I will Mom, I will."

Chapter 2

Serialized novel - Chapter 2

Here is a continuation of my serialized novel. I'm trying to not put too much information into each chapter, to make for an easier read.

The first (unedited entry) is here:

http://www.editred.com/Uploads/st_96088_Open_for_Business

Once again, comments are appreciated!

------------------------
Chapter 2 - The New Laws

I jolted at the sound of my alarm clock. Another day of work was upon me. It was time to shower, get dressed and get ready for another day at the office.

As I turned on the shower, streams of warm water sprayed over my tired body. I could remember when hardly any warm showers existed. It was unusual to have consistent warm showers. But I have to admit I enjoyed it thoroughly. I guess it was one of the perks of the new power plant and Mayor Craft's determination to set things right. I think he used the phrase, "give back to the Earth what we have taken away." By that he meant giving back cleaner air, water, and disposing of human waste and garbage.

"The Earth will thank you," Mayor Craft said with a smile on the news broadcast, now a few weeks back. His words were printed across every news source that contained his confident face. A face that I didn't trust.

After my shower I got dressed, but also availed myself of seeing the news on my television screen. I preferred the streaming content on the main set than the various computer monitors I had in my apartment.

"Mayor announces new laws," was the marquee that scrolled underneath his face coinciding with a speech he had made early that morning. I decided to eat a bit of cereal and relax on my couch whilst listening to the replay.

"... successfully vanquishing our enemies!" Mayor Craft was explaining to a cheering crowd. "And I stress again that it is for your safety and security that we have installed additional counter-attack measures at our power plant. No enemy will dare try to take what is rightfully ours." More cheers. "Ours, people, yours and mine. Not our enemies. We are the ones who worked hard to achieve the goal of producing clean, renewable energy. We are the ones who fought so many wars forcing us to rely on external power sources. Well, as I've said before, no more. ... No more! ..."

I do remember he had said those words before. So what was new this time? Was his speech a reiteration of what he'd said before and thus a big ego boost for him as the crowd continued to cheer, or did he have something more interesting to discuss? I listened to more of what he said.

"... these curfews are necessary for your safety. ... Any vagrants apprehended will be rehabilitated at our care institutes. Any criminals apprehended will be removed from our streets and sent to our secured jails to await trial. ... As you know, these numbers have been dramatically reduced, and we will continue to do so. Keeping our city safe and free from undesirables will also allow us to spot the enemy sneaking into our midst. ..."

Curfews now? I guess I'd get a full briefing at the office. Such a bother. However I have to admit, crime has gone down drastically since the mayor was sworn into power. And vagrants? What were they? I can't remember seeing any homeless people ever since the mayor ran his campaign to clean up the city.

Still, as I gazed at his brilliant white smile tucked aside into a pop-up in the corner of the television screen, there was something simply non-trustworthy about this man.

Chapter 1

Serialized Novel - Chapter 1 (Open for Business)

Here is the beginning of a story I was going to write as a serial. If I get feedback on this, I'll write more.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Open for Business (c) 2009


"Open for business," were the words used by Mayor Craft against the backdrop of the power plant. I watched with interest as the television screen announced the inaugural event. Today was the day that would go down in history, according to our mayor, as an example of a sustainable energy source that did not release nasty carbon emissions into the air.

I did what everyone else did on that day. Watch the broadcast. Marvel at how much we'd achieved. Praise ourselves for finding a solution. ...

But it was the solution that worried me. Very little was seen on the internals of the power plant. It's design and construction was a top secret. The government suggested there was a need to avoid espionage and allow our power plant design to fall into "enemy hands," whomever they might be.

I guess I would do what everyone would do. I would wait. I would watch with anticipation and enjoy our new power source.

Santa travels through time

It was July 31, 1588. The air was heated. The vegetation, wilted. The sun was blazing in the sky. John dragged the back of his hand across his forehead. He got up from the beach, flicking particles of sand onto the ground. He strained to see as far as he could into the distance. The waters were calm. The sea was quiet. A lone gull sang through the air.

Then he spotted it: a sail. They were coming. He knew it. The battle would soon begin.

"Hell's fury!" he said in exasperation. He had expected another uneventful day. Now he knew he had to race against time to get to the beacon.

John raced across the beach. His heels shot sand high into the air behind him. Go! Go! Go! He made his way onto the grassy knoll. Before him, the hill. Atop the hill was a large metallic object with reflective dish. The beacon. Currently the dish was pointed down, out of use.

John felt burning in his calves as he climbed up the hill. The Spanish would soon be here. There was no time to lose! John's sprint slowed as he mounted the last part of the hill. Rushing to the dish, he pulled it back with both hands, positioning it to catch the sun's rays.

And then he stopped. The sail was not a sail at all. It was a man. It was a fat man. It was a fat man dressed tip to toe in red breeches.

John rubbed his eyes. Obviously the sun was playing tricks on him. The fat man in red was on top of some carriage that floated over the water like a ship with sail. John noticed something else, the horses had horns. It must be the heat.

The fat man in red appeared to float towards him. John fell backwards.

"Halloo, my friend," said the fat man.

John did not respond. He dusted himself off and got back up straight away.

"I'm terribly sorry, but I've become a bit lost in the sunlight. It's very hot today."

John uttered a response, "Yes."

The fat man in red carried on, "Could you point me to the direction of London?"

John seemed apprehensive. "You are not Spanish, are you?" It was a silly question, but John still asked it.

"No, my dear fellow, I'm afraid I am not. I'm actually from a part of the world that has no country. Not yet, at any rate."

"Where is that?" John asked.

The fat man in red shook his head, "You wouldn't know it if I told you. But some day it will take the name of Canada."

"Kaa-naa-daa?" sounded out John.

"The same," said the fat man in red. "It's a land that gets as close as you can get to the North Pole."

"What pole?"

"The North Pole. Sorry, my dear fellow, I'm afraid you wouldn't know that either. However some day lots of kids certainly will."

"Kids?"

"Oh, right, sorry. I mean children."

John was confused. "Children know you?"

"Well not now, but someday they will. At any rate, I am pressed for time. Would you be so kind as to indicate the direction of London?"

John was wary. The Spanish would be coming from sea. "Why? Why should I tell you?"

"Just to do an old man a favour. Take a look. Do I appear Spanish?"

John examined the fat man in red. He was dressed in red with fur. His clothes appeared tarnished with ash or soot. The fat man in red's eyes seemed to twinkle like the stars at night. On his face were two dimples. He had a ruddy complexion, and a beard. His face was broad, his belly round. Obviously he had plenty to eat in this country called Kaa-naa-daa.

The fat man pulled something from out of his coat. John took a step back. It looked too small to be a weapon. It was long with a small bowl at the end. There was a hole in the thin part that the fat man in red put in his mouth.

"What's that?"

The fat man laughed merrily. "It's my corn-cob pipe."

"Karn-kawb-paeep?"

"Well certainly, which is why I'm on my way to London."

John shook his head. "I don't understand."

"Well," began the fat man in red, "you cannot smoke a pipe without tobacco."

John had never heard of that word before. "Toe-back-oh? Never heard of it."

"No, don't think you would have done. But with the New World and all, well, it's starting to make its way over here."

John was frustrated. The sun was hurting his eyes. This man was not Spanish, but was a wonder to behold. John finally relented, "London is that way." He pointed to the north-west.

"Thank you, my good man." The fat man in red got back into his horned-horse-drawn carriage and again floated up over the land.

John sank back to the ground. He rubbed his eyes. He could see another sail on the horizon. Was that the Spanish fleet? John decided he'd rather wait and see. ...

Birthday Party

Birthday Party
(c)2009

Birthday past
Aging fast

Skipped event
Sick intent

Colleagues there
Did not care

For them a day
Eat cake and say

"Surprise! Surprise!
Getting wise?"

To me, no fun
Everyone

Would rather be
No jubilee

Would rather flee
To privacy

Be instead
At home, in bed

With partner, rest
That would be best

Love embrace
Loving place

Birthday blast
With her, at last.

Terror at 10,000 feet

What was I doing here? I felt terribly uneasy. If only I could flee. As I peered through the apeture I was unsure about how safe I was. Was anyone safe?

"That's it," Linda said. "Everything looks good." She turned to me, "Ok, I think we're ready."

I guess I needed the money. That's the only reason I could explain being in this position. Ten thousand feet. It was complete madness. But she needed me there. I was her muse.

"Make sure to take it all in," she added.

"I will certainly try," I said swallowing hard.

I pulled the camera back further, trying to focus. Ten thousand feet. Who would want a picture? Linda did. Again, I had to do it for the money.

The people looked slightly strained. Their bare feet stuck in the air. Ten thousand of them, to be precise. Linda liked to have lots of things. I had photographed faces, hands, ice cream cones ... but ten thousand feet.

I was terrified. The smell didn't help either.

Snapping the picture I said, "Got it."

Linda addressed the crowd of people, "Ok, everyone. Thanks for that. You can put your shoes back on."

People did so and I told Linda I'd have the proofs ready in a few days.

Ten thousand feet. ... I shook my head.

old posts

Be That As It May

Be that as it may
I begin earnestly to say
I still am not seeing the point
Arguing endlessly does so disappoint!
My brain tires at the very thoughts that show
How fruitless my efforts to let this conversation go
You keep talking despite it all and do not relent
I keep thinking about the time we have spent
Together over years our passion did grow
Now we're constantly battling, you know
Stop it now
Please
Please
Please
Let us allow
Time
To
Freeze
We can survive
We, both, alive
We need not be
In agony
Constantly
Not you
Not me
Let us instead
Fight the dread
Be at peace
Let the anger
Give release
I need you always
You must need me still
I've loved you always
Let's not our happy memories kill
Renew our thoughts of warmth and love
Rebuild the foundation of our relationship above
Below our anger can die and crumble in the abyss
We can concentrate on each other and how we miss
What we really need for the time being is but to see
That we need each other, I need you, and you need me.

Losing members

Sorry I have not been able to maintain this blog, it seems my member list is slipping. Alas I will try to post something soon.

End of Time

What happens when time ends? Are there any alerts? What happens when water stops flowing when hearts stop pumping when neurons stop firing? Which comes first? What happens when the universe coalesces into nothingness? What happens when atoms stop spreading, when electrons stop circling? What happens to the dead, as they are all? Is there a life after time itself?

Who knows?

Insanity

I have stared insanity in the face and laughed.

It could not manipulate my actions, it could not prevent me from doing what needed to be done. The walls surrounding me were mere impediments in the physical plane, but my mental facilities were functioning. I was alive, I was awake and I fed off the external forces that drove me.