Feeding the Beast - 55

Stopping in his tracks,
he lifts his heads
and sniffs the air.
The smell excites him.
Adrenaline shifts into high gear.
Senses heightened,
a feeling of tremendous anticipation
washes over him
and stirs the beast within.
He knows this comforting
yet exhilarating feeling
happens every year
about this time.
Football season is around the corner.
____________________________

This is a Flash Fiction Friday 55.
If you want to know what the hell that means visit g-man.
The challenge is on.
____________________________

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What the Hell Wednesday - 'Entitled' Theives?

I have spoken with many people who feel there is a sense of entitlement throughout much of the American landscape, but this one takes the cake, er, cash drawer. Again....I don't make this stuff up. I just find it on this wonderful internet of ours, copy, paste and comment. This one comes from an Associated Press report.

ATLANTA, GA. 8/3/2010 -- Police say a man who robbed a fast-food restaurant with a gun was so mad about the amount of loot that he called back twice to complain.

The man walked up to the drive-through window of an Atlanta Wendy's late Saturday night, wearing a ski mask and holding a gun.

He demanded the cash drawer, grabbed it and ran away.

But police say he later called the fast food restaurant to complain about the amount of cash.

Police say in one call he said that "next time there better be more than $586."

He called again with a similar complaint.

So can you believe this guy? He reminds me of my last sales manager with his method of motivation. I mean, who knows? Perhaps the gunman was hired by the owner of the Wendy's to try to get the employees to boost sales. Can't you just hear the conversations going on inside that store:

Customer - "I'll have the Baconator."

Cashier - "You look really hungry. Are you sure you don't want to make that a Baconator Triple with a large order of fries, a Frosty and maybe one of our Hot Stuffed Baked Potatoes?"

Customer - "Gee, that sounds like a lot of food."

Cashier - "For someone your size? I've seen you in here before and I know you can really pack it way. Don't you want you name on our Wall of Fame for most calories in a single sitting? It's the American thing to do. You don't want to be known as un-American do you?"

So sales are increased due to a thief's insistence. Is this the new economy? Or are we all left to take a fond look at entitled America and ask - What the Hell?

Soft Touch 160

I ran my hand along the arch of her back.
I felt a stir in her muscles
as she silently begged for more
knowing my willingness to oblige.
Dogs love to be petted.
________________________

For the original Sunday 160 post click here.
If you wish to take the challenge, here is a quick look at the rules.
The Sunday 160 only uses 160 characters (including spaces).
Keep on schedule - post Sunday.
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Visit at least one other Sunday 160.
_______________________

In Stitches - 55

Holding his throbbing hand,

he sat counting his stitches.

He understood that the pain

from the surgery

would only be temporary,

but hated the annoyance of it all.

One hand typing

slowed him down

and he felt useless

around the house.

Until he saw two

kind, little words

in a note -

“Feel Better”

she wrote.

____________________________

This is a Flash Fiction Friday 55.
If you want to know what the hell that means visit g-man.
The challenge is on.
____________________________

Or if you want yet another challenge write a Sunday 160.
Like a text message, the Sunday 160 only uses 160 characters (including spaces)
Keep on schedule - post Sunday
Let me know you have posted via a comment on my site
Visit at least one other Sunday 160

Theme Thursday - Light

Hands and arms extended before him,

feeling his way through the darkness,

He sensed piercing eyes

watching his every move.

His skin crawled with fear.

He stepped up his pace,

trying not to trip over unseen obstacles.

He knew if he fell

he may never get up.

They would be upon him.

Theirs was an unspoken pack mentality.

A sixth sense of communication

that would allow them to envelop him

like wolves on a sickly elk.

He kept steady,

never wavering from his course,

keeping his one goal in mind.

He couldn’t allow his fear of the dark

to overtake him.

Finally, he felt the solid object he sought.

His hands frantically explored

the familiar flat surface

while he once again

felt the pressure of the unseen.

Suddenly his fingers reached their ultimate goal.

Fumbling with urgency

of someone clawing their way

out of a grave,

the object clicked

and he felt relief.

Never again

would he let his dad

close his bedroom door

without turning on his nightlight.

This is a Theme Thursday post. Follow the link for more creative TT stories.

What the Hell Wednesday - "I love you, man"

I have heard of some ridiculous reasons for being arrested but I am having difficulties wrapping my arms around this one. I don't know much about Iowa, but I have always thought of them as gentle farm folk. This story from the Associated Press sheds a bit more light on these "gentle souls".

Iowa man who just wanted a hug lands in jail

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - Police arrested a man who they said punched another man who refused to hug him. Iowa City police responded to a report of someone being aggressive and punching cars Sunday night. The suspect, a 23-year-old man, told police he became upset after he tried to hug a man and was pushed away.
Police said the man punched and dented the hood of a car before punching the man he tried to hug.
Police said the man had a blood-alcohol content of .086. He was charged with simple assault and fourth-degree criminal mischief, a serious misdemeanor.

A .086? I've blown higher than that the morning after....of course that was more than 20 years ago, but if you're gonna get drunk, Iowa, do it right. Anyway, I can just picture one of those "I love you, man" moments in the parking lot of some tavern where only one guy was interested in a bit of man hugging. (Reminder - Iowa farmers, Bible Belt, need I state the obvious.)

And the scene goes from manly hug offer to professional wrestling in a heart beat. A car punching to warm up the old fist followed by a bit of face bruising. What I don't understand is why did the police get involved. I always thought tavern parking lot scuffles where just between us guys and nobody got sent to jail. Apparently, Mr. I Don't Want No Stinkin' Hug called the police right after the punch to the face made him say, "What the Hell?"

One Shot Wednesday - No more crying

We start our lives crying
always dying.
Living life to be a corpse
at the end of course.
Life is ever changing
rearranging.
Confusion reigns at every turn
we try to learn.
Greed has our planet dying
back to crying.
We need to start relearning
not stomach churning.
We need to sacrifice
not just once or twice.
Back to a life of sharing
ever caring.
Remembering your neighbor
providing favor.
Give to this world your love.
Peace soaring like a dove.
End the crying
and the dying.

I have never been one for rhyming poetry, but had this goofy rhythm going through my mind. Figured I would toss it how for reaction. That's what One Shot Wednesday at One Stop Poetry is for, I guess.

Microfiction Monday

Closing her eyes

and opening her mind
to the ether.
So many souls to choose from,
she wanted her first child
to match her soul for eternity.

This is a Microfiction Monday as hosted my Susan at Stony River.

Sunday 160 - Summer's Heat

A gentle breeze

danced across his back

cooling beads of sweat

and giving temporary relief

from the sweltering heat.

He enjoyed

the life giving warmth

of summer.
________________________

For the original Sunday 160 post click here.
If you wish to take the challenge, here is a quick look at the rules.
The Sunday 160 only uses 160 characters (including spaces).
Keep on schedule - post Sunday.
Let me know you have posted via a comment on my site.
Visit at least one other Sunday 160.
_______________________

What the Hell Wednesday - Library Vandal Update

Just when you thought it was safe to go back to your local library, the Boise, Idaho library return deposit vandal splashes back into the news. If you don't feel like using the link to get the original story, allow me to remind you that our vandal was arrested to throwing mayonnaise, among other condiment items, into a local Boise library book return bin. Here is the latest as seen in the Sunday, July 18 issue of The Oregonian.

Boise -

Suspected condiment vandal arrested again

Boise police have again arrested a woman who is accused of repeatedly dumping maple syrup, corn syrup, ketchup and mayonnaise into a library book drop in Idaho's capital city.

Authorities issued a pair of warrants for 74-year-old Joy Cassidy's arrest earlier this month after she failed to appear in court.

But she turned herself in last week at the Ada County jail. Cassidy originally was arrested June 13.

That's after police say she poured mayonnaise in the library's book drop that day - and was a person of interest in at least 10 other condiment-related incidents since May 2009 at the Ada Community Library in Boise.

In addition to malicious injury to property, Cassidy also has been charged with carrying a concealed weapon without a license.

The weapon was under her car seat, in violation of Idaho law. - The Associated Press

Woo Whee! That is such a HUGE leap from condiments to firearms. I swear you can't make this stuff up. Have you ever been out on an old country road and driven past a deer crossing sign that locals have obviously mistaken for the real thing and peppered it with bullets? Well, I can just picture Joy hanging out her window, 45 in hand, firing away at the book bin - paper and metal flying everywhere.

At first I envisioned her as some grandmotherly woman shuffling along with her mayo jar, but now??? We're talking a teeth gritting Ma Barker with Tommy Gun barrel flashing away at those evil books. Perhaps she is one of those who sees Huckleberry Fin as racist - uh, look when it was written? Or maybe she thinks Steven King isn't violent enough.

All I know is that I am very grateful she showed up in the paper again so I could read the article and loudly proclaim "What the Hell?"