The A-Z Challenge Edition - The Woven Tale Press

I am very flattered to have one of my 2013 A-Z Challenge posts make it into the Special Edition of The Woven Tale Press. Put together by the delightful Sandra Tyler, whom I am sure many of you know as the savior of blog posts.

Out of the thousands of posts that were submitted for this year's A-Z Challenge, twenty-six of them made their way into this "summary" of what the challenge is all about. Poetry, art, fiction, observations, a true mix of the kind of creativity the challenge brings out. With a record number of participants this year (over 1700 I believe) we had a staggering 44,000+ posts in total!

When I read about this Special Edition being put together over at The Woven Tale Press and saw there were a few letters still needing posts, I submitted to three or four of those letters. Never really thinking there was any chance I would have a post selected, I was excited to see an email in my inbox from Sandra stating she wanted to use my "G" post for her book. I told her, "Absolutely!"

With great irony, my "G" post happened to be the only one where I featured the creativity of others but nonetheless, that creativity I felt was worth promoting. The title of the Post is Global Street Art and some of you may remember reading it.

I have read through this Special Edition and was entertained by every selection that Sandra chose. I am honored that I made the "cut". Thanks Sandra!

Below is the link to the book. If you were an A-Z participant this will bring back recent memories...if you did not take part in this year's challenge then maybe this will incite you to think about joining us next year!

Please read and enjoy...

A-Z Reflections 2013

Another A-Z has come and gone. This was the third one for me and I suspect that is only because I was not blogging at the start of this event. It has grown substantially since the year I first participated. The hosts do some amazing time-management in support of this month-long effort and should be duly Congratulated.


And, of course, this would not even be happening without the creation of the Challenge by Arlee Bird. His desire to get his blogging kick-started by imagining a month of posting the alphabet, was genius...and look where it has taken us to.

Now to the REAL reflections!

I have an inherent desire to get better and more efficient each time I do something. I often fail at that end for several tries, but I still aim with that goal in mind.

This is the third year I have participated in the A-Z. The first year as you might guess, was a learning experience. I had only been blogging for about 3 months and I dove headlong into the A-Z like a drowning man thrashing in the surf. I gained some followers (mostly thanks to Alex) and I visited and still do, some amazing blogs. But I was writing literally at the eleventh hour for the next day's post. You see, I was so new to blogging I didn't even know you could schedule a post in advance. I had barely learned how to insert a photo into a post.

But at the end of that first year's Challenge, I felt I had accomplished something. On a few levels. I completed the challenge with every letter on the correct day. I had got my blog "out there" for good or ill, for the world to pass around and maybe even promote a little. And I learned I really enjoy writing on this crazy machine.

Before the start of season two of the Challenge, I knew about pre-posting and was determined to have my complete month done BEFORE April even arrived. That was in June. I had almost ten months. Two or three posts a month would get me there, no sweat. Fast forward to April 1st. Three posts done. Ahgggggg!! There is my life in a microcosm. I again fought through it with several last minute posts. But once again completed on schedule and finished the month worn-out but satisfied with my heroic effort.

That was last year. I was resolved once again to get my subject matter lined up and posts done and scheduled well before April 1st, 2013. The added twist this past April was I knew I was going to be gone on vacation for the entire fourth week of the month. And with Internet service in Honduras not fully verified, I knew I would have to get these posts done or possibly fail to complete. Oddly I could not bare that happening in full view of my blogger friends. Sounds silly, but it was a pride thing.

One of the goals of pre-posting is clearly to be able to visit more sites and make new friends and return comments of those who have visited my blog. Upfront, I apologize to all those (and there are more than a few) who came by to visit me and I never made the return visit. I struggled mightily just getting to my everyday blogger friends let alone an extra 5 or 10 a day more. Oh, did I mention my success in pre-posting??? It got me as far as the first week. Even though I had started a Notepad on my computer desktop as far back as last September to begin to list interesting topics for the letters. So during the first week I was writing the second week and then the second week a little shorter time-frame, third week...panic.

I was able to complete my vacation posting on site in Roatan. The wonky Internet service forced short posts (which fact I am sure was warmly received by all readers). And finished the last two letters once I returned home. Completed but with severe jet lag and vacation hangover.

I am going to keep doing this until I get it right...to my standards at least. Look out 2014!

As of the end of the Challenge I had reached 20,000 visitors, 575 posts, and 205 followers...3 years and 3 months after I began this site.

Summary:

Now that the boring tour of my three Challenges is done, I want to comment on this year's specifically.

I am absolutely awestruck at how HUGE this event has grown in such a short time. It is a tribute to the power of the Internet and the community within. I think the blog classification listing was an excellent idea and quite necessary for the volume of entrants we had. Although quite frankly, I should have copied and pasted the list and the code key so I knew what was what since there were a lot of codes. I am not a big chick-lit reader etc. Not that there's anything wrong with that...

I visited several new sites in the first week when I really had my only available time to do that. Some were not easy to get to and some took me to an alternate site. This was very time consuming and many times I gave up and moved on. Commenting on some was an Indiana Jones adventure. Next year: I plan to begin checking out sites soon after the sign-up linky opens. Then I can categorize the ones I want to visit. It will never happen that I would visit all 1700 or 1800 sites during April...and many of them are not of interest to me. Which curiously means (using that reciprocal principle I learned in school) that they probably have no interest in my site. Both of which are okay. I realize I may be the last one to figure this out, but hey...I did!

I will always visit those who have been with me throughout the year. I have no desire to add followers for a number. I like interacting with those who are always "around". If I commented on virtually every one of your posts during the challenge...congratulations! You made the list!! And even more that I visited but may not have had time to always comment. Friends in my reader come first.

My next step in visiting sites is to visit those new people who stopped by. I did a crappy job of that this year and again apologize for seeming too smug to pay you a visit. My struggle is with my own horrendous time management. I was really amazed by the effort put in by people like Alex, Clarissa, Nancy, Shannon, Arlee, Melissa, Sue, and Hilary, etc.. The depth and complexity of their subject matter was entertaining and educational. Not to mention time-consuming to construct. Hats off to you and others like you that I have failed to mention.

Maybe I am wired to just do things at the last minute. Seems a common thread in my life. And look...

I finally got my reflections post done...I started it a week ago!

Oh and my wife made this for me on her iPad so I had to share. It's my morning look!

Zeitgeist

I think this word is appropriate to end this year's challenge. It has been the largest entry of blogs so far (almost 2000 if I remember correctly). It was a struggle maintaining the flow while on vacation. It was very hard to read all the steadfast friends I have made since starting this blog as well as attempt to reach out to new sites. I am quite behind on both of those last two items and certainly will be continuing my reading of old, and investigating of new sites in the next few weeks (or as long as the list remains up).

As one definition of zeitgeist involves the spirit, attitude, or the general trend of thought or feeling for a period of time...I believe this describes what we all have been involved in during this massively coordinated effort. A common spirit, an I-will-complete-this attitude, and the feeling of camaraderie and accomplishment among all participating bloggers. Zeitgeist is the perfect end.

Thanks to all my friends that read almost everyday even when there were hundreds of other blogs screaming for your attention. Thank you for the new visitors (and even a few new followers), many of whom I have not gotten to visit yet...I will get there. Thanks most of all to all the co-hosts of this snowballing internet annual event. Particularly, thanks to Arlee Bird and his insight to begin this at all.

It was a quick month but a fun month and for me a memorable month with a grand vacation in the midst.

So until the 2014 A-Z Challenge...good night.

C

For some good music...

Yearning

Even through a travel day from Hell on Saturday and a less-then-complete recovery day yesterday, I have a strong yearning to still be in Roatan...or anywhere tropical. Stronger than usual. I usually measure the success of a vacation (stay + travel) in terms of the "vacation high". This is the feeling you get, coming back to work relaxed and able to take things in (mostly) stress-free stride. Normally I am good if I can get a week, the first week of work, under my belt in a fairly calm and rational state of mind.

Lately however, the vacation high has continued to shorten in duration. I find myself less glad to be back home and more into the yearning to be gone again...somewhere. Relaxing, exploring, napping, photographing, etc. Anything but returning to the everyday drudge. I even mentioned to my wife that we certainly were capable of running a dive resort. The American couple that manage Coco View have been there for many years and have a blast! We allowed ourselves to dream this fantasy while watching the sunset Thursday night in the Caribbean breeze.

I fear this vacation high will not make it until Wednesday. Staffing issues I put on the back burner are now unavoidable. The decisions made while I was gone that need to be corrected or in some cases, finalized. Two full-day mind-numbing meetings this first week back. Three hundred emails to review and mostly discard. The grind has begun.

So yes, I yearn for the lapping waves, sunrise/sunset views, the watching of a crab or a bird for twenty solitude-filled minutes...just observing nature happening. Existing. It was a grand vacation!

And the first one in two years I have come back from with all my toes intact!

So there's something!

One letter left...

X-Rated

[This is not explict and deserving of the Adult Category.]

I am back on Roatan. First night with my wife.

Salute

C

Welcome Party!!

As luck would have it I found an English speaking lacky on the freighter and explained what happened. He curiously stated, "we get that a lot". I think. Making me wonder if this was not some twisted prank by the resort for a ":noobie". No Matter. I am headed back to Roatan under an official flag.

I have received word from the island that a great welcome party is to be held in my honor tonight. This is as it should be. I have triumphed over great odds and drank a fair amount of rum to get back to my cabana by the sea. And they are even serving Cheeseburgers...in Paradise!! Jimmy Buffet wrote that song based on an experience he had in Roatan years ago. It is only fitting then.

I will be on land again in mere hours so I must rest for my grand reunion with my group...oh, and my wife.

'night

C

Victory!! Aha

Drenched with sweat and miles out to sea, this leaky dinghy has done its job. Under cover of a blood moon I made my escape using the last of the rum to hit the boat-guarding pirate over the head. I took the rum with me of course. Now I am being hauled in by a Costa Rican freighter, somehow during their down-time swim they found my message in a bottle. Since they could not read English, I doubt that is why they found me but hey, Karma, right??

I am safely (I think) aboard the freighter bound for....I am not sure, I hope it is Honduras but Poseidon works in mysterious ways. At least I am free of the pirates...hoorah! I need a phone.

I must now sleep...

Bula

C

Utila

I have at least found out the pirates have taken me off Roatan to the neighboring island of Utila. Here they have hidden me among the white slave traders and forced me to be a servant. Curiously I believe my wife has not noticed my absence. I am well fed and the shakes have stopped but I am without passport or camera. I am sure my swimming skills lack the stamina to swim the distance to Roatan should I even escape. Calling on Hunter Thompson's experience in Curse of Lono, I am going to try an pass myself off as a reincarnation of an island God. Providing of course I can find out about one or if they even have one!

My case of rum is about gone, having to use it to bargain heavily to stay off of outhouse duty...funny when you say it fast!! Ha. I have thrown an empty in the ocean to try and signal help...current goes the other way. Bastards. Maybe someone in Costa Rico will save me.

Care and wishes

C

Suspense and Tragedy

I am afraid I will have to combine my S and T post into one. And the outlook for the rest of the week is dim. I have contracted malaria and degue fever (not easy to do at the same time) along with a case of rum. To make matters worse, during my few moments of coherentness I was kidnapped by descendants of renegade pirates on the far end of Roatan. I was able to steal access to their computers to send this message but as I am under complete duress and sedation, the week ahead is challenging. Shhh, I have to go, they are coming....


Pray I survive these conditions...

Best

C

Roatan

One of the small bay islands of Honduras is the idyllic get-away of Roatan. Located about 35 miles off the coast of Honduras. And on a small island off of Roatan sits the amazing Coco View Resort. Click the link and check it out. Visually awesome. Today I am there...for a week.

Coco View Resort and reef

Be jealous or envious, Nancy, will you please tell everyone which they should be? :)

I will have Wi-fi there so I will still be in touch somewhat. But mostly I will be sunning and relaxing. Of course a sordid tale of debauchery will be forth coming along with pictures (not of the debauchery though) when I get back.

I think it's envy!

Mahalo!

Quandary

The dictionary defines quandary as:

~ A situation or circumstance that presents problems difficult to solve; predicament, dilemma

There is nothing that defines this word more than the situation surrounding gun control. I was listening to a news broadcast a couple days ago on the Today Show. They were talking about two bills in the Senate. One was a  gun control oriented piece regarding primarily tougher background checks for gun sales. And the other was legislation regarding immigration. Marco Rubio was the one-man band behind the immigration reform.   Neither has much of a chance of passing was the basic consensus. The gun control related bill in the words of the analyst, "stood no chance at all" of even getting out of the Senate. Too many Senators that will be coming up for mid-term elections have no intention of stirring up that kettle of fish back home in their state.   I tell you the incident and tragedy at Sandy Hook school should never be forgotten. The horrific deaths of children in any fashion saddens us all. But I am about to be genuinely irritated if there continues to be this ongoing opening of the wound that seems to never end. These parents who lost children in that massacre need something to do that seems to help the healing. I get it. What does not need to be happening is the continual parading of these grief-stricken good people and surviving children in every available venue to promote the cause of gun control. That is despicable action for the leaders of our country and our law makers. Despicable.   As proven most recently (and has always been true no matter what you believe) is that people kill people. Period. It cannot be any other way. Other than in the movies, possibly, can guns, knives, bombs, and even computers (WOPR) "come alive" and act on their own. It takes human action to create tragedy. The planes that flew into the Trade Center and Pentagon did not decide that morning to revolt against American Airlines and America in general. It took deranged committed zealots to use what you and I take for granted, as weapons of murderous intent.   A week ago at a small college in Houston, TX a 21-year old student went on a rampage with a knife and stabbed 14 people. Two are listed in critical condition, four are listed as fair.    Just yesterday two bombs exploded in Boston, MA during the running of the Boston Marathon injuring several people and killing 3, including a young boy.   Somebody convince me that any gun control legislation of any kind would have prevented these incidents. Please don't try.   Our combined quandary as law-abiding American citizens is how we can prevent ALL these types of tragedies. The sad answer is...we can't. We can do the best we can, but when you can buy all the knives and tannerite online that you want, what can you really legislate?   So I say quit torturing these people from Sandy Hook, they have been through enough and need to begin to heal. Quit trying to become a savior by initiating stupid, ineffective "gun control" laws in the name of doing something about it. See an earlier post on this subject HERE. We need to take the best precautions possible. If this is arming pilots, so be it. If it is patrolled hallways in schools, so be it. Deterrent and Difficulty are the two best weapons the good guys have in this homeland war. Because lets assume for the moment the next "school attacking crazy" out there is unable to get a gun because of some law we feel good about...are you more or less enraged when he blows up the entire school? And you already know he IS out there somewhere. April is the month of Oklahoma City (McVeigh), Columbine (Harris & Klebold), Waco (Koresh). All very different atrocities. With different methods of dealing death. Two of these had more death that Columbine with very little caused by gun fire. Gun control is of little to no use. Only Pollyanna believes it is. Ironically Earth Day and the underground celebration of 4/20 or 4:20 how ever you like it, also occur in April. So we have something positive to look forward to. The month however is not over yet...that North Korean nutjob is said to be planning something on 4/20 to harsh all of our buzzes. Be aware and be safe, people. Res Ipsa Loquitor

Peyote

Lophophora williamsii ~ Peyote

Peyote. Father to the psychoactive alkaloid known commonly as mescaline. A popular past time in the '70's was "eating peyote". Hunter Thompson's references to mescaline and ingesting mescaline are numerous throughout his works. Mescaline could be referred to as "organic LSD".

Peyote is a small spineless cactus that grows commonly in south Texas and throughout Mexico. The dried peyote plant resembles a "button" and caused the term "peyote button" to be coined. This is how I knew them in the '70's.

Peyote Buttons

"In consciousness dwells the wondrous,
with it man attains the realm beyond the material,
and the Peyote tells us,
where to find it."
Antonin Artaud, The Tarahumars (1947)

As you will recall from my very first post, Artaud was also featured in a quote. The man apparently was a very deep thinker...and possibly on mescaline as he was thinking.

“Peyote is reported to trigger states of “deep introspection and insight” that have been described as being of a metaphysical or spiritual nature. At time, these can be accompanied by rich visual or auditory effect.”

Wikipedia

Peyote has been used for well over 5000 years in Native American ceremonies, for things similar to a vision quest, as well as for medicinal purposes ranging from toothache and childbirth pain to skin diseases and diabetes. The peyote extract (peyocactin) also has proven to contain strong anti-microbial agents. Study results:

"Peyocactin proved effective against 18 strains of penicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, several other bacteria, and a fungus."

Another reference Hunter makes in various writings involve his time in San Francisco during what is known as the Beat Generation. He was friends with at least two authors who frequently used mescaline to inspire their creativity.

You may have heard of Ken Kesey. He wrote the book One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest while working at a psychiatric ward. He admits to choking down 8 peyote buttons and was inspired to write the narration of the first three pages while in his mescaline heightened state.

Allan Ginsberg was also a friend of Hunters and credited a peyote-induced state for some of his writing in the controversial poem, "Howl". Written in 1954, this poem was actually put on trial for obscenity and banned or confiscated at book stores. A judge eventually ruled it was not obscenity. I have linked to the poem and also put it on a page at the top of the blog. It is very interesting and lengthy...literally one. long. sentence. Read and you be the judge.

Peyote has been exempt as any kind of drug or controlled substance for Native Americans for use in ceremonial activites. To the extent that they may enter, "No" on an armed forces application about whether or not they have ever used illegal drugs...truthfully.

The DEA has classified peyote as a Schedule I controlled substance but with the allowed uses for Native American religious ceremonies and other grey areas, it seems a little unclear of the legality of growing, transporting, etc. this tiny little cactus.

I think Hunter Thompson liked his mescaline and did much of his writing in various states of mescaline influence.

Any experience with peyote or mescaline? Has anyone seen the film Altered States with John Hurt?
One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest?

~Veritas Aequitas~

The Owl Farm

Owl Farm. Hunter Thompson's "fortified compound" as it were and self-proclaimed. A part of a larger ranch that had been sub-divided into smaller parcels. Owl Farm was still a rather large property. Nestled in the mountains of Colorado and as Hunter liked to refer to it at "8000 feet".

The original ranch was some rather large piece of land and owned by a lady named Margaret Arlian. She made cheese, wine and, brandy. Sometime in the later '40's or early '50's she sold the ranch to Otis Smallwood and his family. After some period of time they were gone and Al and Alma Barbier moved in. During the time the Barbier's owned the ranch, the main house burned down. This gave them the opportunity to build a home in the style they wanted...a log cabin as it were. As well as a dairy barn. That same house is the one still there today with the famous Kitchen where Hunter would hold court until all hours of the night. They sold eggs and milk and then became the first to subdivide property, before zoning was even heard of in rural Colorado. In the early '60's they sold what was left of the ranch to the Sandersens. The Sandersen's son Billy, who was killed in Vietnam, was buried on the ranch property.

The ranch was divided up some more and Hunter ended up with the parcel containing the main house and dairy barn (since turned into a guest house) on Woody Creek Rd. He then named the site Owl Farm.

Owl Farm is in the Aspen area and considered part of Pitkin County, Woody Creek, CO. This is all near the highly popular Snowmass ski resort community. John Denver's home as well as the home of Prince Bandar bin Sultan, Arabian ambassador to the US, are located in the gated community of Starwood Residential Estate. And across the road from Owl Farm is John Oate's house.

Hunter used the Owl Farm setting in many of his letters, papers, and stories as well as referencing the raising of peacocks, the terrorizing neighborhood owls, the casual walking out the door to fire off a few rounds and generally enjoying the peace and quite of this solitude. Friends and local officials were always stopping by to gather in the Kitchen and gamble on sports events, or even plan Hunter's run for Sheriff of Aspen. He did most of his serious writing here.

Entrance to Owl Farm in the winter

At some of these gatherings he would grab one of his books or papers and have one of the people attending read a passage he indicated. If they were not reading with the right tone or emotion, he would stop them and have them start over. Apparently this would be the highlight of the evening and great fun was had by all.

As mentioned in a previous post, Hunter took his own life at age 67 in the study of  Owl Farm while he was working on his latest column for ESPN called "Hey Rube". Johnny Depp saw to Hunter's greatest wish, that his ashes be shot into the sky from a tower 153' tall that was to be built on the property. At the top of the tower was Hunter's symbol that he used at least since the run for Sheriff, the double-thumbed fist clutching a peyote button. The event took place in August of 2005, right where Hunter wanted it to be... in his "big backyard".

 

Anita Thompson, his wife of two years before his death, still lives on the property. He is also survived by his first wife Sandy and their son Juan.

Hunter and Anita in happier times

Selah

Nothing

Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore"

Fin

The Monkey Fist

Picture from Wikipedia


The Monkey Fist has been around for hundreds of years. The term itself describes the knot tied as you see above (which resembles a...you guessed it, Monkey's Fist). It has been used by sailors as a way to heave a heavier line from one boat to another or from a boat to the dock. Known as a heaving line

The knot was usually tied around a stone, a marble, or a piece of heavy wood. The item used was normally determined by the size of the line used to form the knot.

Monkey Fists were used as weapons by sailors in bar fights in the 19th century and became weapons used by street gangs during the same period. Another variation use for the knot was to conceal and transport precious gems.

Now that the history lesson is over...

[I think this is a weapon that Hunter Thompson would fully approve of. After all he planned to order 200 lead-filled saps had he won his race for Sheriff in Aspen.]

As you might imagine I was watching an Apocalypse 101 reality show on TV when I saw one of the basic weapons for self-defense was...the Monkey Fist. They are light weight, cheap to buy and/or make. You can make these items if you are the crafty sort. They did some demonstrations and of course it peeked my interest because I am just wired that way.


You can do a search for "monkey fist" (DO NOT accidentally type in "monkey fisting") and find a whole host of how-to videos on how to make these and sites where you can purchase them. One site I have looked at is Paul's Outpost. The cool thing about these items is they can be used as a key chain and double as a self-defense weapon without being too obvious. It is something easy for women to use and pretty shockingly painful for an unprepared assailant.

Picture from Amazon

A Monkey Fist is made from 550 paracord and various size solid steel ball bearings. The one pictured above is a 1" diameter steel ball wrapped in the paracord "fist". The cost on Amazon is $10.99. As you could guess, getting whacked in the head with a solid steel ball would get the point across that you didn't appreciate being attacked.

Of course I had to buy one (not the key chain variety) to go along with my 26" expandable baton. Preparing for the Apocalypse one handy weapon at a time.

I do however have a key fob Fire Starter w/paracord.

Pass the word.....

LSD-25

Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (acid))

LSD. The holy grail of spiritual awakening in the counter-culture days of the late 60's. And on the plus side, almost non-existent addictivity!  The name however conjures up thoughts of drinking from a car battery or some other equally horrific "acid" source. When most times it is a small drop of liquid (tasteless) on absorbent paper (blotter) that is put under the tongue to dissolve. So I've been told.

Hence the term "blotter acid".

LSD causes different reactions in different people but many report intensified awareness. Altered visual effects (the melting wall or rippling carpet). Some get very intensely "into" something, quite often music. Some see imaginary things as products of their own mind. For those not mentally unstable or damaged to begin with, it is an awakening. So I have been told.

This appears to have been one of Hunter's favorite sources of recreation and inspiration. To what degree it's hard to say. When he states in Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas that among other drugs, he had a large number of sheets of high quality blotter acid it gives the impression he lived on it. Sadly another chief effect of LSD is the quick build up of a tolerance to its mind-expanding effects. Taking it more than a couple times a week greatly diminishes the result. So I have been told.

Acid has been a largely misunderstood drug from the 60's primarily due to the government testing soldiers with it for mind control possibilities. LSD has been used to treat alcoholism and in psychotherapy treatments.

Now how about this? In Switzerland from 2008 - 2011 they have been experimenting with end of life anxiety treatment using LSD for terminally-ill patients. Results are promising and no negative results have been reported. Really? And who would have done this reporting...the dead?

Flash backs have really been non-existent and are more of an urban legend. No record of anyone ever dying of an Acid OD has been found and tests show there are no long-term physiological effects on the brain or the rest of the body.

I will say this, if this were available in the US for easing anxiety for terminal illness...count me in.

Mahalo

Kyle, Chris - America's Deadliest Sniper

Chris Kyle - 1974 to 2013

 Chris Kyle was a Texas boy. He was also America's most prolific sniper during the Iraq war. He holds the longest confirmed kill on record. A Shot of some 2100 yards. That's 21 football fields. That's almost a mile and a quarter. Lucky...maybe, phenomenal...absolutely. He also holds the record for confirmed kills at 160.  On His first long range shot, he hesitated...then as ordered, took the shot. It was an Iraqi women approaching a group of Marines with a grenade in her hand.

Seems like a lot of death. And I am sure there will be opinions on both sides of the issue. But remember, he did not create the circumstance. He was just extremely well-trained to thrive in it. He was a US Serviceman, a Navy SEAL, a warrior defending our rights. Serving 4 tours of duty during Operation Iraqi Freedom, he survived being shot at repeatedly and hit twice, though his gear and good fortune saved his life. The enemy had as much as an $80,000 bounty on his head. They knew and feared him.

His platoon (sniper Element Charlie) wore the Punisher symbol as their own. It was a badge of pride for the group and it was theirs alone. This is the remembrance version of the symbol.

 His book is pretty gripping material. Even though he states in the preface that the military had cleared all the information he used in the book, I kept finding it unbelievable that much of what I read that was disparaging to our military and government, was allowed to be published. I am glad it was. Give American Sniper a read and get a look at the life of a man who gave his all for his country and incredibly kept his marriage together as he returned for tour after tour.

 In the end (as happens with too much consistent irony) his life ended not on the battlefield but in his beloved state of Texas after he left the military. Not far from where I have a summer home some 40 miles or so south of Ft Worth, he and a friend had taken another veteran who was struggling with PTSD to a gun range in Glen Rose, TX for an afternoon of shooting. Chris worked with many soldiers who had returned from the war broken and fragile. Somehow on this day, February 2rd, 2013 it all went  terribly wrong. Eddie Ray Routh, the other ex-soldier, shot and killed Kyle and his friend Chad Littlefield. The entire state of Texas was stunned.

Chris Kyle's funeral was held in the new Cowboys stadium at midfield, his casket on the Star. A huge crowd was in attendance and the service was broadcast live on TV and the Internet. It was a moving ceremony. The funeral procession the next day to the burial site in Austin, TX stretched over 200 miles. It is said to have been the longest funeral procession in history. The travel route of I-35 was lined most all the way with many paying their last respects to a soldier, a father, an American.

~Semper Fi~

Jimson Weed

Datura Stramonium - Jimson Weed

Today finds us diving into the "seedy" side of Hunter Thompson's writing references. And to start, we have to look to the Jimson Weed. Known in some circles as the Devil's Trumpet or the softer version...Angels Trumpet.

Either way, the slightest amount above medicinal dose and depending on your religion, you will be seeing one or the other.

Datura Stramonium is a member of the nightshade family and possesses belladonna alkaloids atropine and scopolamine. This has been used to treat asthma and as a pain killer in early surgery. However, it is also a hallucinogen and deliriant  that produces intense visions that may last for days.

This of course is what Hunter is relying on whenever he mentions using a "bit of the jimsonweed". He even referred to using it on his wedding night in 2003 at the age of 65. True or not it is hard to figure. But several of his papers reference the use. Curiously he almost never uses the word marijuana in his writing.

It is really unknown if he ever really smoked the jimmy weed or if he did, was there any productive writing?

But Jimson Weed is just the tip of the iceberg for the Gonzo journalist of our age. Saturday will enlighten you a wee bit more.

Until then, stay upright.

~Tempest Fugit~

Imagination

 

The other half of the Hunter Thompson recording duo was the deeply disturbed fantastically imaginative artist, Ralph Steadman. In usual Thompson fashion, fate played a part in the selection of the artist who would graphically document Hunter's twisted visions. It occurred on the Kentucky Derby assignment when the original artist who was to meet Thompson at the Derby to illustrate his writing, couldn't make it. Last minute replacement recommended by Hunter's editor, was Ralph Steadman. Who was an artist in England at the time, flew over and joined Hunter in what would become the hilariously satire-laden story, The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved. A biting retribution for the wrongs of HST's youth growing up in Kentucky and the Southern "code". The two together formed a life-long bond of boundless imagination when art imitated life...in a fun house! Some of Steadman's artwork can be found here.

With the theme today being imagination, I want to take this time to recognize four writers whose work I have enjoyed, admired, and most importantly...require more of! I believe many of you are familiar with them but for those who are not, please give them an opportunity to entertain you as they have me.

Alex J Cavanaugh

I met Alex online back when he was just about to explode with his site and also his publishing career. He has always been a faithful and constant commenter on my site and was extremely instrumental in doubling my followers during my first A-Z campaign.

 

 

When  CassaStar came out I had already committed to return the favor by buying, reading, and reviewing the book. It is in a genre I like a lot (Sci-Fi) and I was prepared to enjoy the story. But....

 

 

 

 

 

 

WOW! I loved this book. I read it over the period of about 4 days. Not   because I am a slow reader or the book was complicated but because I was not wanting it to end. The book showed what great imagination and storytelling ability Alex possessed. At the end I was sad for it to be over. Then I found out a second book (CassaFire) was coming out...same excitement thing for me except I actually WON a signed copy in one of his giveaways! Amazing, considering how many people must have entered for it.

 

Now we have the final book of the trilogy (CassaStorm) coming out this fall and I can not wait. I still say, some producer somewhere is missing a great movie series opportunity.

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Nancy S Thompson

I met Nancy from last year's A-Z Challenge. We seemed to have bonded over our mutual appreciation for the band, Alice In Chains. And we have frequented each other's blogs ever since. And boy am I glad I did...

I read The Mistaken as soon as it was available. I immediately found myself immersed in, and actually felt a part of, this story. The premise showed great imagination on Nancy's part and the intricate and well-woven story was just captivating.  For her first novel I was blown away with how really GOOD it was. I could feel Tyler's pain, rage, sadness, humanity...all of it. The visuals that were always in my mind as I read, were exactly what I expect from a good book. And this one is tremendous! IF you have not already picked this one up, do it. I can't wait for her next work! Love your stuff, Nancy!!

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Milo James Fowler

I read Milo's work just because I like his cool name!! Just kidding, man. I read Milo's work because it is good, it is insanely original, and it makes me laugh from time to time. I do not know how his thought processes work but it is a little off center. And that's the good part. His Coyote Cal epics remind me of the movie Cowboys and Aliens, only this is more like Gunsmoke.

Milo has sooo much work out there I doubt he sleeps. Or maybe he can write while he sleeps. Or there is a pod beside his bed...something!!! I have read a ton of his work since the stories are short and there is not a one I have not enjoyed. If you crave a little twisted bent to your reading, Milo is your guy. Thanks for the entertainment, man.

~~~~~~~~~

Clarissa Draper

I believe I ran into Clarissa an A-Z or so ago. Her informative blog and creative A-Z posts keeping me coming back for more. Her imaginative foray into writing was the Sholes Key. I must say I saw the book cover staring me in the face every time I visited her site. but it took me awhile to actually but buy the book. I downloaded it to my Kindle and took it to Belize on vacation.

 

I could not put this book down once I started it (obviously I did or my wife would have killed me, on vacation and all). I love a good mystery, growing up a voracious fan of Agatha Christie, and this was a great mystery. Imaginative storytelling and constant "what's going to happen next" anxiety. Again, I had very vivid images of what I was reading and got pulled right into the action. I am eagerly awaiting the next output from Clarissa.

~~~~~~~~

I am proud to know each of these authors by their works and their blogs. I consider them friends.

Please take time to visit each of these wonderful writer's blogs (click their Names to go straight there). None will disappoint and who knows, you may make a new friend.

Hunter S. Thompson - Legend And The Man

"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro"

Hunter S Thompson the man, the myth, the legend. His life was a strangely long and fulfilled one, given all his indulgences. He married twice and has one son from his first marriage. Five other pregnancies resulted in 3 miscarries and 2 who died soon after birth.

From the streets of Kentucky to the isolation of the Owl Farm in Woody Creek Colorado, the life and times of Dr. Thompson were varied, inspired, and inspirational. The well documented use of drugs and alcohol fueling some of the most creative writing to ever be put down on paper. The oft quoted phrase included in the photo above speaks volumes to that fact. He would tell people there were much better reporters then he because he almost never tried to "reconstruct a story". Inserting himself into the mix and flavoring it with metaphors and twisted facts and fiction...the final creation was, in the words of Tom Wolfe, "part journalism and part personal memoir admixed with powers of wild invention and wilder rhetoric."

Hunter ran for Sheriff in 1970 in Pitkin County, CO. The ticket was the Freak Power Party and several other offices were being contested by this hastily created "alternative" party. In the end, Thompson was such a threat to win that the Republican candidate withdrew to consolidate the voters on the Democratic side and the Dems withdrew their candidate for count commissioner.  The fix was in so to speak.

He was an avid member of the NRA and an early supporter of NORML, serving on the group's advisory board for over 30 years up until the time he died.

He kept numerous weapons on his Owl Farm "fortified compound" and fired them regularly on his property. A self-proclaimed weapons expert.

Thompson's books, as I have mentioned in previous posts, are a joy to read. The action and verbiage mixing fact and fiction just pull you right along like a magic carpet ride. The list of his works can be found by clicking the link on his name at the beginning of the post. Along with a better detailed chronology of his life than I could give time to here.

In the end, he went out as he wanted...on his own terms. The only spooky part is, he had called his wife who happened to be in town at the time, and asked her to come home and help him finish his ESPN2 column for the night. He actually cocked the shotgun while laying the phone down on the table. She mistook the cocking sound for keys being typed on his typewriter so she hung up...just as he pulled the trigger. His son and family were visiting and in the next room. At first his son thought some books had fallen off the shelves when he heard the shot, and didn't come in for a few minutes.

After calling the police, Juan (Hunter's son) went outside and fired 3 shotgun blasts into the air to "honor his father".

Johnny Depp funded the funeral that went exactly to Hunter's specification (see my E post). Many celebrities attended the blasting of Thompson's ashes into the sky. Among them, Jack Nicholson, Sen. John Kerry, George McGovern, Bill Murray, and of course, Depp himself.

I have included 3 brief videos below. The first is a long clip from the 4 part session Buy The Ticket, Take The Ride videography of Hunter's life told by the people who knew him (very good, save it- listen later. The 10:50 mark starts great stuff on Where The Buffalo Roam), the second is a stirring reading of Hunter's suicide note by Nick Nolte, and lastly is the trailer from Where The Buffalo Roam. I am still struck by how EXACT Murray's voice and inflections are to Thompsons.
 













~Res Ipsa Loquitor~



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