Jottings and Writings: May 2013

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

WWBH Blog Hop May 29, 2013

Filed under: Photo prompt, Writing Tagged: blog hop, photo prompt, short stories, Wednesday Writer, writing, writing challenge, WWBH

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Friday, May 24, 2013

WWBH: Blog Hop - Photo Prompt May 22, 2013

Sorry it's a bit late getting out... Been a busy early part of week. Went to post Thursday and realized I had lost the eMail with the code from our host this week. Then another busy day today
Definitely an interesting picture for this week as well as interesting words.... As for me - I have NO idea where to begin... How about any of you?
this week our WWBH Photo Prompt Blog Hop Host is Nicole from The World of My Imagination

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It's that time again and this week I have the reigns! Yay! It's been a long month for me so far - and I have a new goal to write a story to a photo prompt once a month at least. I think I can do it - how about you?

Anyways, before we kick off the prompt, make sure to check out the amazing prompts from last week-

Imagined Dream World by Scott Taylor
Camel Man by Leanne Sype
Home Coming by Sally Stackhouse

Aren't they awesome??

Okay, now make sure you grab a copy of our Flash Fiction e-book.

Ready?

Here's the rules:

Here are the rules:

1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story

2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.

3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.

4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below.

5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.

This week's photo:

The words:

T-Shirt

Paddock

Spacestation

Pyramid

Zip

Oh, this should be so good.

When you're ready, post your link below -

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Note linky doesn't seem to be working - you can link through my main blog (also Jottings and Writings - on WordPress) http://wp.me/p1s8Rt-xM

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Aftermath

The initial drama is over. The tornado that touched down his moved on. There is quiet – a stillness in the air, but all around destruction. People in varying states of shock – Denial, anger, bargaining, maybe even marginal acceptance. People trying to put their shattered lives back together. Rescue efforts continuing looking,hopefully, for live […]

via WordPress http://jottingsandwritings.wordpress.com/2013/05/22/aftermath/

Saturday, May 11, 2013

WWBH Blog Hop Photo Prompt - May 08, 2013

Thought I'd try posting this one from my phone using voice type. Of course I am cheating a bit, As a bulk of the code comes from our host this week Carrie over at www.chasingrevery.blogspot.com

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My favorite part - I have a winner to announce!<br />

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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://sallys-scribbles.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sally @ Sally Scribbles!!</a></span></div>

Congratulations! I'll send you a note and you can let me know if you have a button or if you would like me to make one. We'll have it up by next Wednesday. :D</div>

<span style="text-align: left;">Last week's prompt produced some amazing creativity. I have the proof right here:</span></div>

<a href="http://davidbastiani.wordpress.com/2013/05/05/contains-strychnine/" target="_blank">Contains Strychnine</a> by David Bastiani</div>

<a href="http://scottywattydoodlealltheday.blogspot.com/2013/05/four-yearsa-short-story.html" target="_blank">Four Years</a> by Scott Taylor</div>

<a href="http://anne-writersspace.blogspot.com/2013/05/of-books-and-fighter-planes.html" target="_blank">Of Books and Fighter Planes</a> by Anne Organista</div>

<a href="http://sallys-scribbles.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/the-power-of-books.html" target="_blank">The Power of Books</a> by Sally</div>

<a href="http://jottingsandwritings.wordpress.com/2013/05/06/my-wwbh-story-may-01-2013-books-and-more-books/" target="_blank">Books and More Books</a> by Tena Carr<br />

<a href="http://vickipaulus.blogspot.com/2013/05/writer-wednesday-blog-hop.html" target="_blank">Untitled</a> by Vicki Paulus<br />

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Fantastic! There are lots of new and old faces this week, and all the stories are wonderfully matched to Leanne's great photo choice. :)</div>

On to this week's prompt - first, the rules.</div>

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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story</span></div>

<span style="font-family: inherit;">2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.</span></div>

<span style="font-family: inherit;">3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.</span></div>

<span style="font-family: inherit;">4) Link up with your blog hostess (<a href="http://theworldofmyimagination.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Nicole</a>, <a href="http://chasingrevery.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Carrie, </a><a href="http://jottingsandwritings.wordpress.com/" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Tena</a> or <a href="http://leannesype.wordpress.com/" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Leanne</a>) when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below.</span></div>

<span style="font-family: inherit;">5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flo<span id="__mceDel">w.</span></span></div>

<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">This week's photo is </span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">courtesy</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/usnationalarchives/7158016968/sizes/z/in/photostream/" target="_blank">Flikr Commons</a>:</span></span></div>

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The 5 must-use words:</div>

butter</div>

evil</div>

wardrobe</div>

rescue</div>

ballroom</div>

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And a quick plug - Don't forget about Flash 500 coming out on Friday via Amazon!! :-)</div>

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See all the unique takes on the prompt below and link up your own.</div>

Monday, May 6, 2013

My #WWBH story: May 01, 2013 - Books and More Books.

This particular photo (and 5 words) presented a challenge for me. Somehow I just couldn't get a story to "start up" in my mind. I finally did come up with something, but I'm afraid it's on the short side this week (shorter than usual). I hope that you will join in and link up your own Blog Hop story (short/long - well no more than 500 words - it doesn't matter). To see this weeks Blog Hop Photo & Words click Here

Jeffrey walked amongst the rows of books at the large public library, fiddling with the napkin in his pocket as he did. So many books, he didn't know where to begin. He had never been in a library this large before, only the local library of the small town in which he lived. When his father asked him if he wanted to go into the city with him, Jeffrey said "Yes" and asked if they might stop at the library there. He could hardly contain his excitement when his father agreed, saying that he could even check out a couple of books. Now as he looked wide array of books he wasn't sure how he was going to choose the one book that he was allowed. Maybe he should look for a book on poisons. His pet mole, racer, had gotten into some sort of poison and died. Or maybe a book on concerts. He and his dad had stopped and listened to a free concert in the park and Jeffrey thought the sounds beautiful. Jeffrey scratched at his neck while he thought about it.

Words used in this story: mole, napkin, poison, concert, neck

#WIP: How Do Budget Cuts Affect Fire Departments

After talking to an old acquaintance, I decided I would (try) to put together a "story" on the affects of budget cuts on Fire Departments. This is not meant to be specific to any one Department or situation, but rather a generalized gathering of information. I invite all Firefighters (or anyone involved in The Fire Service) to chime in with their thoughts & opinions. And, just so you know, Names will not be used (unless specifically requested) - so you can remain completely anonymous.

I would like to gather as much thoughts, opinions, and info as I can for this story from you (Firefighters), because it is you guys who are on the front lines of having to deal with these budget cuts - not the bureaucrats, not the government, not the media, but you guys.

I have set a "deadline" of publication for my "story" to be the end of this month - May. I don't like pushing people with deadlines, but I also realize that if I leave this open ended, then I am less likely to get responses (and certainly not in a timely manner).

I look forward to hearing from you!

Thanks! And Thank You for all you do :-)

Tena Carr

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

My WWBH Story for April 24, 2013 - Hard Worker

"Now sweetheart, don't get all in a huff" Patricia said as she noticed her husband tapping angrily on the steering wheel of the car as they drove along the highway. "Maybe we should pull over for a moment" she suggested a bit nervously.

"No," Jack answered, "I'm fine"

"Are you sure" Patricia inquired, concerned.

"Yeah" Jack replied, "It's just that BS they gave me at HR about the reason for letting me go is a pile of crock. All they care about is the quantity of work done, not the quality.

"I know," Patricia said agreeing with him. "They have no idea what a conscientious and hard worker they're losing" She rubbed his arm affectionately.

She recalled the the letter that had come from the construction company that Jack worked for on official looking letterhead from the Human Resource Department.

Words used: Letterhead Quantity Construction Huff Crock

WWBH Blog Hop: May 01, 2013

It’s Wednesday once again and guess what that means???? It’s time for the Writer Wednesday Blog Hop Kick Off!! Take it away LeAnne **************************************************************************** Aw yeah! It’s Wednesday which means two awesome things: 1) We’re halfway to Friday! 2) It’s time for the Writer Wednesday photo prompt! We have two story submissions from last week’s [...]

via WordPress http://jottingsandwritings.wordpress.com/2013/05/01/wwbh-blog-hop-may-01-2013/

WWBH Blog Hop: May 01 2013

It's Wednesday once again and guess what that means????

It's time for the Writer Wednesday Blog Hop Kick Off!! Take it away LeAnne

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Aw yeah! It's Wednesday which means two awesome things: 1) We're halfway to Friday! 2) It's time for the Writer Wednesday photo prompt! We have two story submissions from last week's photo, and you should definitely read them. :) X Marks the Spot by Carrie Sorensen Low Risk, High Value by Leanne Sype Whether we have two stories or 12 stories, we love them all and invite you to join the blog hop community. It's a great way to meet fellow writers, exercise your fiction-challenge writing muscles, and let others know about your blog. Here's a little button to add to your site if you like being a part of the blog hop:

Alrighty... here's a brief rundown of how all this works: 1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story 2) Keep your word count 500 words or less. 3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post. 4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below. 5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow. And now for this week's photograph:

(Randomly generated) Mandatory Words:

mole

napkin

poison

concert

neck

#AtoZChallenge: #Firefighter - #Safety - Z is for Zero

A day late (my apologies), but here's the today's (and final) post for the A-to-Z Challenge.

Z is for ZERO as in Zero - Sixty. No, I'm not talking about a car or any other vehicle for that matter..... I'm talking about adrenalin rush. As a Firefighter, Paramedic, or Police Officer your day can go from mundane and boring to *Bleep* hitting the fan in a matter of minutes.

As you know an adrenalin rush is caused by the "Fight or Flight and response, which causes Adrenalin (Epinephrine) to be released into the body. Heart Rate, Pulse, and Breathing all accelerate and your body prepares to "stay and fight or run (thus the "Fight or Flight"). Your mind can become super-focused and your pain threshold can increase (you may not even feel pain at all). While the release of adrenalin can be a good thing in allowing for increased focusability and increased strength and all that, the constant zero - sixty that is norm for a firefighter can have harmful results over long periods of time.

I should note that the opposite (Sixty to Zero) is just as bad.... Once, as a child, I was visiting the local fire station with my father, which I talk about in my blogpost Firefighters are my Heroes (this is actually on my WordPress blog), but to make a long story short: Alarms go off crew heads for truck in a rapid, but controlled manner , then voice over intercom (I think that's what it was - we're talking like 30+ years ago) "False Alarm".... Dead Silence. I didn't understand it all back then, but I realize now that when those alarms (maybe it was klaxons) went off the adrenalin started to be released in the body of those firefighters as they prepared for "fight or flight". Now all that adrenlain had no place to go, it basically hit a brick wall and went Sixty to Zero.

So what are the symptoms/results of an adrenalin rush?
As I mentioned above, increased Heart Rate and Accelerated Breathing are two of the symptoms. Heart Palpitations and Increased Blood Pressure are other symptoms that also occur. For more info on the "Fight or Flight Response and it's effects click Fight or Flight Response (wikipedia)

What's the problem with all that Fight or Flight/Adrenlain Rush?
The constant Zero to Sixty (as well as the Sixty to Zero) situations is that over time it can lead to heart problems (Did you know that Heart Attacks and High Blood Pressure is one of the leading causes of Firefighter death - Not the fires themselves). What to do about it For one thing make sure you are physically, mentally, and emotionally to begin with. Have yourself some form of (safe & legal) outlet to release the build up of adrenalin (a good strong work out is always a good idea). Make sure you are taking care of YOU.

Remember Watch out for the effects of ZERO to Sixty (as well as Sixty to Zero) on the body and StaySAFE!!

So now I've reached the end of this A-to-Z Challenge. Hopefully I have provided some good reminders to STAYSAFE on the job. Thank You for all you do {{{HUGS}}}

Here's a list of Firefighting and Paramedic Blogs that I follow:

FireMen the book (by Gary Ryman)

Boots'n'BunkerPants

ELAFFHQ

Firefighter/Paramedic Stories

It's Not My Emergency

The Happy Medic

Views From the JumpSeat

EMS in the New Decade

Fire Critic

Wooden Ladders and Iron Firemen

Firehouse Zen

SA Matters

#AtoZChallenge: #Firefighter #Safety - Y is for YOU

Today is technically the last day of the A-to-Z Challenge. I didn't get to write the post for the letter "Y" Yesterday (okay that was totally unplanned) so am having to get it done today, followed by the final post for letter "Z"

The most important aspect of all this Firefighter Safety stuff I've been spouting this past month is YOU! Y-O-U! YOU! No, I'm not saying that you should be selfish, thinking only of yourself (not that I see that as a problem - everything I've seen shows huge/selfless hearts & awesome sense of of humor....) I'm saying that you need to make sure you are taking care of yourself and that your being as safe as it is possible to be. Your no good to anyone else if you don't. Make sure you are taking care of all aspects of your health. We all know that Physical Health & Fitness is an important aspect to the safety of a firefighter, but Mental and Emotional health are just as important. Make sure your keeping yourself safe and using all necessary Gear and PPE. Be Game Ready Every Call Every Time (You can't help anyone else if you become a victim yourself.

Remember YOU are Important and STAYSAFE!!!

Note: It's taken longer to get this done than I expected (something about distractions and all).... So I'll have to do "Z" tomorrow.

And now for 5 Blogs I came across:
FlashTyme
Giggling Truckers Wife
Frankly Creative
Writing Women's Fiction
Between You and Me
A Mom's Point of View

Pages

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Friday, May 24, 2013

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Monday, May 6, 2013

Wednesday, May 1, 2013