Monthly Archives: December 2011

Crashing waves on rocks

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The sea, a foamy grey gauntlet of infinity, stretched out before its red-clad challenger.

Andi stopped swimming.

The sky reflected sea reflected sky: dark storm clouds layered, crossed, frothed in the ever-stronger wind. She no longer heard the rhythmic crashing of whipped-up waves striking against the sea wall rocks. The sea wall, and its proffered protection, were far behind her. She hated that sound.

Andi closed her eyes.

She was aware it was cold: not just the late September in Maine chill when only the most dedicated, or foolish, would swim in the ocean; but the rigor of a morgue or the venom of a poisoned memory. Goosebumps formed on her too-thin frame; blue-tint washed across her lips and her nails. She hugged herself while salty water washed away her unacknowledged salty tears. Had it only been a year?

Andi cried.

Vignettes, the subconscious cinema, cycled with the pulse of the waves, the beat of her heart. Jared mirroring her image, wearing her grin and flipping her off. Double dating the Douglass twins at their junior prom. Taking out Machina del Verde for quick sail around Deer Point, just the two of them. The storm. The waves. A loud crack. A flash of lightening in the dark. Jared, eyes wide, in the water. Screaming. Crashing waves on rocks, waves on rocks, waves on rocks, waves on rocks.

Andi started swimming.

Precipitation fell, fat freshwater drops into an immense salty bucket. She ignored it, as she had ignored most things of life lately. She focused on her destination: wherever her twin waited for her, beyond the reach of the tide.

December already?

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The year has certainly flown by, hasn’t it?

I have been writing, and not just for work (although I have been doing a great deal of that… interesting in a dry and legal sort of way) I just haven’t been posting it here. I will try to move some of the more interesting, or at least entertaining, pieces over in the coming weeks.

If you are in a hurry, you can come see my work, as well as that of over a hundred other talented writers, while we battle it out in the grueling “Real LJ Idol” competition. (link). Part writing competition, part virtual reality television show, and part social network, it’s a place where writers get a taste of writing for an audience, get feedback, get to know each other, and maybe even get to publish their work.

Many former competitors, and even a few current ones, have taken what they’ve discovered about themselves during the competition and turned it into career changes, book deals, professional writing gigs… You get the idea.

I’m writing more poetry and fiction, for the most part and less personal narrative; a change for me, I guess. It’s good to branch out, I suppose.

So, things that have happened during the past year that are noteworthy:

  • I was promoted at work. Not such a big deal, all things considered, but it pleased me.
  • I earned my first sizable bonus, um, ever.
  • I suffered a kidney stone. That was fun, not.
  • I went on only one major trip, but I am trying to plan more.
  • I had two different photographs selected for exhibition; one is currently on display.
  • I volunteered to serve as chair for a committee on my neighborhood board.
  • I allowed something and it’s been issued.
  • I adopted another dog, then said goodbye to a very old and faithful friend.
  • I got an iPad 2.

Have a good holiday season, a joyful first night, and I will see you soon.