Week in Review - August 3rd 2014

[caption id="attachment_2868" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Danny Hanning of The Other Shoe - May 6th, 2014[/caption]

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Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. This has been a long and strange week, indeed. What with my surgery and all of the traveling in preparation for the surgery. I am genuinely amazed that, in this week, I still managed to write and publish five articles and surpassed my previous record for published videos. Not a shabby performance for a guy worried about undergoing surgery, and if he might have cancer, not shabby at all.

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Now, with the week at its end, we come to write and publish this review of my writing and publishing. I am greatly encouraged by the up tick in traffic, over the past two weeks. The blog is averaging fifty unique visitors per week, and that is up nearly double for the lull we experienced just two weeks ago. I know that I have not managed to publish, this week, any new material for ‘The Horror in Smithville’. For that, I express my deep regret. However, I do have pages already written. It is just a matter for editing these pages, and getting them into a format for publication. Here’s the rub.

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The next episode of ‘The Horror in Smithville’ will be number fourteen, yet episode fourteen is split into four or five different places/plot lines. So, you see, there will be a; 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D and 14E episodes. Each of them will be between seven and ten pages in length. Each individual chapter is happening at the same time as the rest. We will be jumping from; in the truck with Timmy and Archer, in the Principal’s office with Truman and Barry, and at the Carnival job site… that is all I am going to tell you. Yet, I am sure that you can see the problem I face.

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How am I to publish all these different plot lines and keep the same clock? I am certain that I will come to a resolution that works for me as a writer, and for you, My Dear Readers, as witness/readers. Oh, did you not realize that? You, My Dear Readers, are bearing witness to the birth of a writing career, we that is the ‘game plan’. For the past four years I have diligently worked these two blogs honing my writing skills. All so that I can, soon, submit my work to publishers in the hopes for finding one ready to take a chance on a new talent.

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Well, that brings us to the whole point of today’s writing and publication. For all of you, My Dear Readers, that just do not seem to have the time to read my work during the week. Each, and every, week I put together this review of the week’s publications. This weekly review is the place for my busiest readers to catch-up with everything that has transpired in their favorite article series. This week, due to my surgery, is heavy on updates and videos. Here’s what happened…

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• Notes From Behind the Keyboard – July 28th 2014 : “Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. I have, just now, sat down to write this edition of ‘Notes From behind the Keyboard’ for today and it is nearly 7PM Pacific Time. That means that, for all my readers in Mid-West and Texas, it is already 9PM. This is not how I had things planned out, for today. I really wanted to have this puppy published by 9PM Central time. Regardless I am going to write this and publish, tonight. Most likely I will promote this article tomorrow, Tuesday July 29^th 2014.” This was written on a very busy day, as I was preparing for the appointment with my surgeon. I had all sorts of laundry and chores to manage to finish. Once I sat down, at my computer to write, it was very late in the day. Yet, I did not want the day to pass without having touched base with you, My Dear Readers. Regardless of if I publish, or not, each and every day I think of you, My Dear readers, and this blog. I worry that I have not written enough… not published enough… or that I have spent too much time away, and on myself. I just wish that there were more hours in the day.


• It’s A ‘Family Thing’ : “Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. It is a common human phenomenon, when faces with one’s (believed) end of life to look backward with clarity. Now, My Dear Readers, I have not received any new news. I have not, yet, had the surgery or biopsy. Yet, I find myself engaging in that behavior. Just today, while talking with one of the few best friends I have… that still calls me… still talks with me… that my condition has not scared away. We were talking and, somehow, I digressed and told James about how my parents met.” This article was motivated by a call from a good and old friend. While we talked I mentioned that my mother and father had met outside Los Alamos, New Mexico. My mother worked as a waitress at the local diner, my father worked on the ‘Manhattan Project’ specifically on the ‘Fat Boy’ bomb project on the base. MY mother used to tell me about Robert Oppenheimer, how he came in on a regular basis to eat in the diner. What kind of man he was, how he always was nice and friendly and that he tipped well. Then she would steer the conversation to a man, that always at in her station, which sat quietly and ate. That man was my father. My father worked as an X-Ray technician on the ‘Fat Man’ bomb project. His job was to X-Ray casing pieces to make sure there were no defects or impurities in the cast metal pieces. In the shadow of the construction of two ‘Devices of Death’ how a love was nourished and blossomed. This article is just a prelude, to the story yet to be written. Stay tuned!


• ‘The Horror in Smithville’ – The Story, So Far… : “Today, I am publishing this review of the first thirteen episodes of ‘The Horror in Smithville’ so that you can all get caught-up on this wonderfully entertaining tale of horror and suspense. For the past two weeks I have taken you, My Dear Readers, on a bit of a side-trip. What I have labeled, as ‘The Missing Chapters’ is a cleaver way for me to interject some very important material, and add a whole other plot line and character development.” I did not/do not want you, My Dear Readers, to think that I had abandoned this project. It is very much alive and in the front of my mind as I navigate the trials and tribulations of the past and coming weeks. However, editing the pages I have finished and whipping them into a form for publication takes… well, more focus than I can seem to muster… right now. I have pages ‘ready’... already written. I know where the plot and characters are going… I have it all in my head and another twenty or so pages already written. Soon, I promise you, we will return to this wonderfully entertaining and suspenseful tale. There is so much more that I have planned… Wait and you will see.


• Headed to SURGERY! Or A Surgical Adventure! : “Welcome back My Dear Readers. It is Friday August 1st 2014. I am headed to Orange Coast Memorial for my surgery. Videos to post shortly. I will keep you posted.” And, I did! Over the next twelve hours I managed to chronicle the events of the day in four videos. Yes, I managed to publish five articles this week... moreover I manage to publish FIVE videos this week, too! My Dear Readers, I did my level bet to include you in the events, of my life, this week. I wanted to make sure that you had enjoyable and entertaining content to read, but I also wanted to make sure that you knew what I was going… through. I must say that I am very happy that ONE READER reached out and touched my life. Ian Cottier, a reader and follower of my blogs, actually sent me flowers from England! I am sitting looking at them, and smelling them, as I write this article. I am so deeply moved by his kindness and caring support! From across a great ocean, Ian reached out and touched my life, showing a level of caring and support… to which, I am not accustom. Few… have touched my life… this way. Thank YOU, Ian Cottier!


• Notes From Behind the Keyboard – Post Surgery : “Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. I am happy to announce that my surgery “went well” and that “we got all of…” the “growth” that had made its home on my face. I am now sporting; stitches, a ‘butterfly’ bandage, and one of those really big waterproof bandages on my face. If you watch the video, below, then you will see the large waterproof bandage. I am still in quite a bit of pain, surgery on your face is particularly painful as we have so many nerves in our faces.” Even today, Sunday, I am still in a great deal of pain. I am barely able to, now, eat and chew food without entering into a daze of pain. I know, that in a few days, the pain will subside and I will be able to return to a normal life and schedule. I am happy for the weekend and the two days of rest. I sit here, hoping that the biopsy results... are kind. That, My Dear Readers, is what worries me most, now. Did I mention? As they prepared me for surgery, they took my temperature… the nurse used one of those things they rub across you forehead, and aksed “Are you burning up?” I said, “Not really... but I do have a bit of a fever, I think…” Seems I had a fever of 99.8 degrees. They went ahead with the surgery, but it just proved the point I have been trying (desperately) to make to my doctors for weeks. I am running low-grade fevers all the time! I have little appetite, I am easily fatigued, and I have persistent lethargies. That, My Dear Readers, is why I fear that I may have cancer. These symptoms, and the results from the blood test, both point to that possible condition. I sit… and wait… to know the truth. The flowers really help!

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That, My Dear Readers, brings us to the end of this week and this weekly review. Now, I generally write a bit more… talk and stuff. However, I am so very tired and sick feeling. I just want to lay in bed… look at the flowers Ian sent… and watch TV going in and out of sleep all day. Oh, and Allen bought me roses!

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This is the first time ever that I have had a medical problem... surgery or the like and actually anyone sent me flowers! My brother… well he just has never really been that way with me. It’s cool… I understand. I am, like, outside, the family. It’s my role… I’ll own it. Isn’t going to stop me from writing about it, though. J

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I hope that everyone had a good and productive week, and an enjoyable weekend. I will write just as soon as I know anything… or feel better. Take Care!

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Adieu!

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Thank YOU! (Again, Ian Thank YOU for the flowers!)

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http://www.ebay.com/usr/enzomatrixlt

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[caption id="attachment_2866" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Danny Hanning of The Other Shoe - May 6th, 2014[/caption]

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© 2010 – 2014 Hanning Web Wurx and The Other Shoe

The Horror in Smithville - 'The Missing Chapters' Part Two

[caption id="attachment_3239" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The Horror in Smithville[/caption]

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                 Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. As well, welcome to the second part of ‘The Missing Chapters’! This is a very special series of additions to the mains story of ‘The Horror in Smithville’. Right about the time I penned episode twelve? I realized that I had totally missed the opportunity to add, and develop, several characters that would soon be very important to the main story line. Rather than try to just, like, jam them in? I decided to start this series of chapters… ‘The Missing Chapters’!

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Last week I introduced you, My Dear Readers, to Ralph Simner – father to Archer and husband to Becky Simner (Margie’s best friend). Until… well, about two weeks ago, Ralph had been nothing more than… a cutout. A simple cardboard cutout that was “Archer’s father” and little more. As I was flushing out the second half of this novel (funny how that happened… how a simple ‘Short Story’ back in May has turned into… my first full novel) I realized that I needed Archer’s father to be more than just a placeholder. Ralph Simner, Archer’s father, needed his own story. His own troubles and his own character development      .

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I had to take, what initially was, a simple placeholder and turn him into somebody the reader would relate to and like! That was going to be no easy task, and if I limited myself to just jamming it into the story… where I was at the time was, like, episode 12 or 13, it would not feel ‘natural’. So, I strained my little head and thought about the task that lay ahead. I was sitting, one afternoon, and I was thinking and thinking about just how to introduce Ralph… how to get his story… his problems… his difficulties to overcome into the novel.

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Then, it dawned on me! This was not already in print! I had a unique opportunity, here, with you My Dear Readers. Unlike a book, already published, you were IN the process! You were ‘along for the ride’ so to speak. That gave me a unique opportunity to ‘roll back the clock’ and inject, into the already spun tale, an ‘all new’ character! It would be a unique opportunity for the BOTH OF US! For reader and writer alike, we would be a part of an experiment together!

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At that moment I was no longer confined by the normal limitations of writing a novel. No longer did I have to think in a linier fashion! Not only could I think ‘Out of the box’ my whole story could exsist ‘outside the box’! So, I grabbed you, My Dear Readers, and we took off on an adventure… together! I have to tell you… I have never felt so free! Not only could I do this with Ralph Simner… if you, My Dear Readers, went along with this radical experiment? I could do this very same thing with other characters! Suddenly? The sky was the limit!

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Suddenly I was free to take any turn or avenue my heart desired. So far, Ralph Simner has been well received by all of you, My Dear Readers. It does not appear that anyone was ‘so taken aback’ by this injection of another character, that they left the process and turned their backs on this work. If anything? It appears that my whole experiment has been a complete and total success!

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Ralph Simner has been adopted by you, My Dear Readers, just the same as he had been introduced at the beginning of the story. That is a “Good Thing’! It is a good thi8ng because Ralph is going to play a very important part… and integral role in the unfolding of my story. It is good because now Archer has a father that you, My Dear Readers, know about. That Archer comes from a full and complete family.

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So, here is a little ‘spoiler’ (if you don’t want to know? Just skip ahead to where there is a ‘Part 8 B’ and read from there ;) . This is not going to be the only time that I do this… I have been thinking and there just might be somebody else that missed the ‘boarding call’ when I started penning this novel. I am not going to tell you who… or when… Just be prepared. J

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My Dear Readers, this novel has been the most fun I have experienced, writing, in a long time. Since I was a boy of nine I have always wanted to write a horror story. YOU, My Dear Readers, have helped make that dream a reality! Just this week Allen, my roommate/caregiver/+ just started reading this story. I value his opinion of my work, my writing. Allen likes this story! He is already to chapter five, and he is really enjoying the story, the characters, the setting and… the suspense.

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I have to admit… this story… this tale, it is going much better than I had thought, or hoped. Each and every time I sit down to write? It is kind of strange… but it is like I have already written… it. Each time I sit down to write it all comes out… naturally. With so little effort and thought. I ‘see’ the characters in my mind’s eye. I see them talk... I see them interact... I see them run and fight. Out of everything I have ever written? This story is just happening to me, and I am just sharing it as it happens.

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Now, without further adieu I give you Part 8-B of ‘The Horror in Smithville’!

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Part Eight B

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The ‘janitor’ job at the Elementary (That is how it had turned out, when he finally got started at the job) There was little-to-no work doing ‘repairs’, or taking advantage of Ralph’s skills in construction and mechanical works. Most of his time was spent; taking out trash, cleaning up after the kitchen workers, emptying lockers at the end of the school year, and putting sawdust on puke. Kids puke lots and often! He had never realized just how much, nor how often, children throw-up, till he was the one in charge of cleaning it up.

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This went on for year after year, as Archer grew-up and out of the elementary school. Funny thing was? While Archer was attending the elementary school, where Ralph was ‘stationed’ and spent most of his day, he didn’t mind the disgusting and humiliating work. He was near his son. Everyday he got to ‘see’ Archer; going from class to class, eating lunch in the munch room, or out playing on the playground with Timmy and his other classmates. Yet, once Archer had graduated from elementary school, and moved over to the Middle School, life for Ralph took a turn for the worst.

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The hours of the day just seemed to drag by, he found himself looking at his watch more and the minutes felt like hours. To help to pass the time, Ralph had started… eating. It started the moment he got to the school, and being a school with its own kitchen, there was always food about. Ralph would offer to help out around the kitchen; taking out the spent cooking oil, working on racks in the ovens, and even sometimes helping out doing dishes. It helped keep the day moving, but his waistline suffered terribly. When Ralph came to Smithville, we sported a healthy 32” waistline on a six foot two frame.

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Since Archer had left the elementary school Ralph’s waistline had blossomed to 46” and was growing every week. Now, well over 200 lbs. Ralph’s health was declining nearly as fast as his self-esteem. Ralph knew that things between he and his wife, Becky, were not going well… either. A, once healthy, sex life had turned into uncomfortable encounters at his birthday and anniversaries. Even Archer had pulled away from Ralph, since he left the elementary school. Ralph understood that a good deal of that separation was that Archer was ‘becoming a man’ himself, and enjoyed spending more time with friends like Timmy. Ralph tried not to feel resentment, but time had taken its toll and Ralph was looking for a way to regain self-esteem.

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That was when the ‘new job’, literally, walked into his life. One day Ralph was out at the dumpsters, taking out the trash from the kitchen, and eating a little something the cook had shared. It, at first, struck Ralph as odd. This tall man walking up to him at the back of the elementary school. The man was dressed all in black, from his head to this toes, with a large tall hat sitting on his head. Under the hat the man wore a suit jacket over, what appeared to be, a hoodie. The man had pulled the hood, of the hoodie, up and around his face so that you could hardly make out any features of his face. Ralph was, still, about six foot two, and this man towered over Ralph, once he was standing next to him. A very tall dark man, dressed all in black, with a very soft spoken voice. Ralph had to strain to hear the man speak, but once he could hear Ralph has transfixed by his voice.

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`”Good afternoon Mr. Simner. You are Ralph Simner, janitor and general repairman for this elementary school, correct?”

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‘General Repairman’ Ralph liked the sound of that, nobody had ever called him that before. If this man was selling something, then Ralph thought, he certainly knew how to get people buying!

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“Yes, Mr. Simner, I am here to offer you some work. I am with the Carnival, that is coming to town shortly, and I am looking for experienced workmen and construction workers. There is much work to be done, in very little time. I am willing to pay you double what you earn, here, and I will be needing your assistance for one week. There will be several days where I will need your help long into the night. Is that a problem for you… for your family?”

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Standing there, honestly, Ralph wondered if his ‘family’ would even notice that he was gone. Yes, things at home were… well, more than strained. Ralph spent many a night wondering if Becky was going to come home, one day, only to pack her things and leave him. Take Archer and head to a better man. It hadn’t happened, yet. But the fear lived inside of Ralph every single day. He knew that Becky loved him, she always had and always would, but he knew that love just wasn’t enough. A good relationship had to have more. There was little affection left, in their relationship, and Ralph was at a loss as to how to rekindle that part of their relationship.

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This! Ralph thought to himself, this, could be that thing to help him get back his self-esteem and help him rekindle the love he so longed for. Double his currently hourly wage would mean that he could take home two weeks pay in just one week. He would give the principal some lame excuse and Becky would not even hear about it for some time. Now, Ralph was thinking fast and hard.

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“Will this be very physical work? Heavy lifting and the like?”

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Ralph’s mind was racing. With a solid week of back-breaking work, limiting what he ate and how often. Ralph thought that he could ‘kill two birds with one stone’. He could make lots of extra money and at the same time drop ten to twenty pounds of that extra weight! Heck, by the end of the week he could be well under 200 pounds, and have a bulging wallet instead of bulging belly! That would certainly get Becky’s attention!

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“Yessss (the man’s ‘s’s just seem to go on forever…) there will be much heavy lifting and “back breaking work” Mr. Simner. Is that a problem?”

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‘Problem?’ Ralph thought to himself. Not even! It is exactly what the (love) doctor ordered! Who would have known that the solution to all of Ralph’s problems would (literally) walk up to him, while he was eating donuts by the school’s dumpster!?! Ralph could double his pay and shed ten to twenty pounds in one week! This was going to turn his life around, Ralph just knew it! Yet, Ralph thought that he just might get more from this mysterious tall man. Ralph was going to, for one of the first times in his life, press his luck with this tall man. Ralph was going to see if he could get a promise of more than eight hours a day. Just one thirty or forty-hour week, at twice is rate of pay? He could earn nearly a month’s pay in just one week! Ralph was going to try and press his luck.

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“Look, Mister…. I didn’t catch your name…” (Ralph left that hanging in the air waiting for this tall man to answer)

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“Darken… Mr. Darken, you can call me Mr. Dark Mr. Simner. “

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“Look, Mr. Darken, I am not trying to look a gift-horse in the mouth, but what do you think about me working… extra hours each day? Hell, I’d be willing to put in thirty or forty hours in this here one week!”

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Ralph’s words hung, with his anticipation, in the air for what felt like forever. At one point Ralph could clearly hear his own breath… but nothing from this tall man. Except for one second when he could have sworn that he had heard him… laugh. Ralph discarded that thought, this was a serious negotiation there was no way that this man was laughing. Without speaking, first, the tall man stuck out his hand. Then spoke.

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“Mr. Simner, I will work you night and day as much as you can stand for the week. Shake on it?”

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Ralph stuck out his hand, top shake Mr. Darken’s, without thinking. However, just as soon as his hand met Mr. Darken’s… Ralph did think. He hand was so very thin… and his fingers freezing cold to the touch. Just as soon as their hands met, Ralph felt dizzy all over and woozy. For a moment Ralph thought that he would fall down in a dead faint, but he didn’t. Ralph shook Mr. Darken’s hand vigorously almost pumping it.

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“Thank you… Thank you! Mister, you have no idea just what this means to me and my family! I have been working myself to death, around here, and never really getting ahead. This one-week and I will finally get ahead! Thank you!”

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The tall man, Mr. Darken, pulled his hand away as quickly as he offered. Soon, Ralph was just standing there with his hand stuck out into the middle of the air. Quickly resolving the (visually) uncomfortable moment, Ralph pulled his hand back and shoved it into this pants pocket. Ralph was quite anxious to not mess things up now that he had a chance to turn his life around. Ralph was standing there, smiling from ear-to-ear, as the tall man turned and started walking away. Ralph realized that he had no idea just when or where this work was!

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“Excuse me, Mr. Darken? I need to know just when you are going to need me to work… and where!”

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Mr. Darken, the tall man, stopped walking and, without turning around, spoke to Ralph.

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“Your work, Mr. Simner, will begin Thursday night… This Thursday night. Mr. Simner, you do know where the old Marsch farm is, right? The work begins there, Thursday night. Be there at nightfall... and bring your own food. You will be there at least one day. Plan on not returning home… until sometime Friday. Is that acceptable?”

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Good grief! The first day and it sounds like he would get more than twenty hours! ‘is that acceptable’? That is FANTASTIC!

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“Yes sir, Mr. Darken! That is very acceptable! I know where the old Marsch farm is, and I will be there at disk, ready to work… and work hard!”

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The Tall man began walking away, again, when Ralph managed to get in one more thanks.

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“Oh… and Mr. Darken… THANK YOY! Thank you for me, thank you from my family… THANK YOU!”

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Mr. Darken just kept walking away… almost drifting as he moved away from Ralph. Ralph turned to throw the last of the donuts away, thinking there is not better time than now to start dieting. When he turned back, in the direction of Mr. Darken… the tall man was gone! Ralph looked to the left, and then to the right. There was no dign of him at all! Ralph hadn’t heard a car. Hadn’t head a car door open, or close. Hadn’t heard a engine start, or a car drive away. Ralph hadn’t heard a single sound since he turne4d away, but that darn tall man was gone!

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Well, Ralph thought, I could stand here and wonder where that tall man vanished too, or I can go back into the school and start making plans for all the money I am going to earn. A few seconds passed, and Ralph walked back into the school. Thinking of just how many roses he would buy for Becky! There was almost a skip to Ralph’s walk, as he entered the elementary school… for one of the last times, ever.

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The new job, out to the Carnival site, paid FOUR TIMES what the janitor job paid. Ralph could earn, in one week, what he used to get paid in one month! It was unfortunate that this job would only last a few scant weeks. Ralph enjoyed the work he was doing at the Carnival. There was putting the rides together, connecting lighting and setting up stages. It was good honest work, work he did with his hands! Ralph could feel the difference, and he could see the difference in the mirror in the morning. This work was making Ralph PROUD!

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For the first time, since they had arrived in Smithville, Ralph felt proud! It was Thursday afternoon, about 4:30PM, and every since he had left the school that day, Ralph had been unable to stop thinking about this new job… and the money! He had given the Principal, of the elementary school, some story about needing the week off because of Archer’s ‘failing health’. Everyone knew that Archer suffered with Asthma and, often, would miss school for days because of it. Ralph knew that he just had to make the story good enough to pass muster, when he asked. It was not like they would fire him for taking a week off to make a month’s pay!

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Once Ralph had the money in hand, all sins (and lies) would, certainly, be forgiven. Ralph had put together some bottled water, and some bread. He didn’t want any food around! He was determined to loose as many pounds as was humanly possible, in the week he would be working at the carnival site. Ralph had it all figured out. A whole week away form Becky would make her pine for him. The loss of ten to twenty pounds would make him desirable again. That, and the wad of cash he was going to earn, well that would give him his elf-esteem back!

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In just one week Ralph was going to take back his life, his wife and his son’s love and admiration. He was going to prove that Ralph Simner is worth their love and affection! Ralph had done a good job of avoiding Becky, since he had arrived home. He had, carefully, packed; extra clothes, an extra pair of work boots, a jacket, the bottled water and the bread all without being seen. Now he had all of these items in a box and was about to leave to put them in the car, when he heard Becky call his name.

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“Ralph? RALPH! Where are you? I am on the phone with Mrs. Marref, Timmy;s Mom, and she wants to know if Archer can spend the rest of the week over there, with them!?!”

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Ralph could tell by the tone of her voice that was not what she wanted. Becky hung on to Archer like a mother bear to a cub. Problem was? Archer was eleven going on twelve, and he needed his time with friends and away from the ‘Mother Bear’. Archer was already smaller than most of the boys in his class. All he needed was the impression that he was a ‘Mother’s Child’ to ruin his remaining years in Middle School and High School. As much as it pained Ralph, and he realized that without Archer there Becky would be more likely to notice his absence. He just had to take sides with his son!

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“Hon! I don’t think it is all that big a deal! It isn’t like he is going away too far. The Marref’s farm is just next door! Let Archer have this time with Timmy and his family. He have him all the time!”

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Just as Ralph was speaking the words, he saw Archer’s head peak around the corner. There was a big smile on Archer’s face, and he winked at his Dad as he spoke. Well, at least Ralph was well on his way to winning over his son, he knew that Becky would not like Archer away, all that time, but it was good for Archer.

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“Ralph?!? I KNOW where the Marref’s live! That’s not the point! What if Archer has an asthma attack? What is he needs me, Ralph? Ralph? Are YOU listening to me?”

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How could he not? Becky took drama and speech, in high school, and when she wanted? The whole town could hear every word she said! Ralph really needed to get the box of clothes and goodies into the truck, before Becky saw. He put the box down and headed to the bottom of the stairs, so Becky could hear that he was closer. Just as he put the box down, Archer came over to him and whispered in his ear; “Dad, you want me to put this in the truck for you?”

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Ralph smiled big and winked at Archer. Archer grabbed the box and headed out the back door to the truck. Ralph headed over to the stairs, making it to the bottom of the stairs just as Becky appeared at the top.

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“Now, Becky, you know that Margie is ‘like’ a second Mom to Archer. She has had all the same training you had about the asthma. She knows how to administer the injections, if he needs them, and what to not give him to eat… and all that stuff. Heck, Becky, she probably knows more than I do, about the medication and his asthma. Tom and Margie really care for Archer, and that Timmy’boy treats him like his younger brother!’

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At that, Becky smiled. Ralph stood there and he, honestly, could not remember the last time he had seen her smile. Now he hadn’t told her anything about the ‘extra money’ for him trying to loose weight. But, maybe… just maybe she could sense that Ralph was working to make some serious changes. Maybe.

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“OK. Ok, Ralph. Archer can go and spend the night at the Marref’s. But I want him home after school on Friday! Understood? You want to tell him? I know it would mean the world to Archer to hear it from you, Ralph.” (smile! There it is, again!)

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Maybe things can turn around, Ralph! Maybe there is a chance for your family to be whole, again. Ralph felt great! He went back into the kitchen, just as Archer was returning from the truck. There was a concerned look on Archer’s face, and Ralph just knew that he had looked into the box. Ralph had to put a stopper on Archer talking to his Mom, about the contents of the box. He walked right up to Archer, and explained…

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“Archer? I got the ‘OK’ from your Mom to spend TONIGHT with Timmy. Now, she wants you back just as soon as school is over tomorrow, k? Now, about what you saw in the box. First, everything is ‘ok’ between your Mom and I. There is nothing wrong. I am just going to go away,. For a few days, to work at and for the carnival. I got a great paying job… and I might be gone for a couple of days. I took the week off from the elementary school… and this tall man is going to give me twice what I usually earn. PLUS? He is going to let me work 12 to 16 hours each day! That means I will, likely, bring home a month’s pay in just one week!”

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Archer was a smart boy, and he knew what that would mean to the family. Without saying a word, Archer just reached up and gave his Dad… a hug! Now, Archer, being eleven going on twelve, hadn’t hugged his Dad in more than a year! That he just had, without somebody dying meant the world to Ralph!

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“I’ll do my best to keep Mom distracted while you are gone, Dad. Don’t work too hard, k? I hope that it works out for you really well, Dad.”

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Archer took off, at that point, up the stairs to get himself ready to go over to Timmy’s for his overnight stay. Becky was upstairs, likely grading papers, and Archer was getting ready to leave for his sleepover. The sun was going down, and it was time for Ralph to leave. Ralph left the house every day. Yet, this time when Ralph left… it felt different. It almost felt like it was the last time Ralph was leaving his house… and his previous life… behind.

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Ralph got behind the wheel of the truck, slowly pulled out of the driveway, and smiled… big as he pulled away. Looking at his house.. his home, in the rearview mirror, Ralph just smiled really big.

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End

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[youtube=http://youtu.be/7vKh0ReY620]

(The Horror in Smithville Animation with Sound!)

© 2010 – 2014 Hanning Web Wurx for The Other Shoe

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[caption id="attachment_2866" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Danny Hanning of The Other Shoe - May 6th, 2014[/caption]

A Week in Review - July 19th 2014

        Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. If it is Saturday, it is time for ‘A Week in Review’ at The Other Shoe! First, I am still having problems with my primary blog location at Blog Dot Com. If you go to the site and experience errors, 502, ‘Bad Gateway’, or the like just please refresh the page and it should appear. I am continuing to write and ask for technical support. Next, due to failing health, and the corresponding depression, this week was a little shy on publications.

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[caption id="attachment_3247" align="aligncenter" width="630"] 502 - Bad Gateway Error[/caption]

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Including today’s article I will have brought five articles to you, My Dear Readers, in seven days. That is not bad, but it is far from what I am used to bringing to you, and what I expect of myself. Granted, My Dear Readers, that in the past seven days? I have taught myself some of the basics of animation! As you will see, in this review of this week, I have ventured into an all new medium!

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Starting, this week, I have added animation to The Other Shoe! Granted for right now my work product has been limited to creating logos for one of the most popular article series. Hopefully, in the near future, I will add ‘Sunday Funnies’ that is an animation that I have done all by myself! You see, My Dear Readers, I am always looking for ways to improve the blog, entertain you more, and really make a go of this blog and my writing and publications.

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Animation has always fascinated me, and today that is just as true as when I was a boy. Now that I have access to a software program, that helps and tutorials, I am finding that the art of animation is not really all that daunting! It is time consuming, most of all. Whereas I can write, and publish, written word in one day? Creating, executing and publishing an animation can take up, and exceeding, a week for just a matter of a few minutes.

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Finally, I had promised to publish two episodes of ‘The Horror in Smithville’ this week, when I published the ‘Missing Chapters’ on Thursday. I apologize that when push came to shove I was unable to publish the two episodes that I promised. For that I deeply apologize. I will work hard to see if I can make that happen, this week. However, Tuesday I am scheduled to see (at least one) doctor to review the results of the C.T. Scan I had done last week.

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Honestly, just how much I manage to accomplish will (greatly) depend on if I get ‘Good News’ or ‘Bad News’. Sorry! I do not expect to publish on Tuesday, as getting to my doctor’s appointment(s) usually shoots a whole day. However, I will try to make sure I have more content, for you My Dear Readers, this week. Thank you for your understanding and support through this difficult time.

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Now, without further adieu I give you ‘A Week in Review’!

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• A Week in Review – 500th Articles A Week’s Celebration! : “So I decided to write an edition of ‘A Week in Review’ to cover the week of celebratory articles for the publication of my FIVE HUNDREDTH ARTICLE! Yeah, I am very proud to have reached this milestone in publication. I do not know of many other people that have written and published over five hundred articles… much les in just four short years. IT was my pride that pushed me to write so very much last week. I am pretty certain that the push to publish is the reason for my woes.” I really am hoping that the lower, than expected and ‘normal’, traffic numbers are more to do with the problems with the web site and Blog Dot Com than… with me. I really am pushing myself… writing when I am in pain and working just as hard as my body allows. Granted, the depression has become rather crushing… as of late. However, I am hoping the Tuesday has ‘Good News’ that will chase away these storm clouds and give me a more ‘sunny’ disposition!


• Daniel Hanning Breaks into an All NEW Medium! : “Over the past several days I have been teaching myself… … … (drum roll, please!) ANIMATION! That’s right, over the past several days I have been working to learn the basics of Animation! I have struggled, over the past several weeks, over just what I could add to The Other Shoe? Add so that I might drive more traffic to my site. The other day I was talking with a good friend and they asked me…” “Danny what can you add to the blog that you ENJOY and might drive more traffic?” ANIMATION! Well, it didn’t happen exactly like that… but it was close! Regardless, here I am presenting (in this article) my work product from a week of; reading, watching tutorial videos, experimenting, and ‘getting my feet wet’ in the world of animation! Already I can tell you, My Dear Readers, animation is something that I will work with… dabble in and play with for the rest of my life! This week, alone, has shown that I can ‘do’ animation, that I enjoy working with animation, and that I will be able to find a way to work it into my articles and publications at The Other Shoe! SCORE!


• The Mars Report – July 16th 2014 : “Now, for the first share of this edition, we are rapidly approaching the Second Anniversary of Curiosity on the Martian surface. That anniversary will happen on August 6^th, 2014. So, we are just a few weeks away from that celebration. Before we get to that day, I thought that I might share a little overview of the First Year of Curiosity on Mars. Below is a video, that NASA/JPL made, that is a great overview of the very first year of Curiosity on the Martian surface.” Well, My Dear Readers, this was an extra-special edition of ‘The Mars Report’! Not only was I able to share the ‘Special’ commemorative video, by NASA/JPL, used to mark/celebrate Curiosity’s First Year on Mars? I was, also, able to share images of Curiosity’s discovery (its first) of a meteorite on Mars! As if that is not enough? I also included the very first complete mapping of the Martian surface by the USGS! This map is the very first of its kind and a real find for me and this blog. Over the next two weeks I am hoping to share a lot more from Curiosity to help celebrate its Second year of exploration on the Martian surface!


• The Horror in Smithville – The ‘Missing’ Chapters! : “Now today I am not breaking with that publication schedule, but I am shaking things up a little. Today I am going to publish… a missing chapter of ‘The Horror in Smithville’. Missing in that when I, originally, wrote parts two and three I had not yet imagined just how I was going to create the conflict I needed. Since that time I have figured out just how to create the desired effect in my story. That has resulted in me writing two (or more) chapters that, actually, come earlier than we currently find ourselves!” Honestly? My Dear Readers, this is really pretty exciting, for me. I am doing… something that is completely out of the ‘norm’ for a writer, or a publisher. By adding these ‘Missing Chapters’ WHILE we are still enjoying the ride? (We are about half-way through this novel) I am adding; a whole new character… well, rather, promoting a background character to one with his own plot line, character development, and iatrical role in the main story line. This is what I am talking about, I have never witnessed an author actually try something like this… like, ever before! Thing of it is? If this works… is well received, then I have TWO more characters that I would just LOVE to do this same exercise, with. This, for me as a writer and publisher, is really exciting. I hope that everyone that is enjoying ‘The Horror in Smithville’ gets a chance to read ALL of these ’Missing Chapters’!

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Well, My Dear Readers, that brings us to the end of a very short publication week, and a very long week in reality. Now I need to start getting together had copies of images from my scan, put together the clothes that I will wear, call and order my transportation, and generally get ‘ready’ for my doctor’s visit this Tuesday. From what I was told I will be ‘seeing’ two doctors this Tuesday.

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I will see my ‘Infectious Disease’ specialist and I will, also, have a visit with my ‘Oncologist’. It is the latter that gives me pause, and the reason I am not sleeping. You know, My Dear Readers, I forgot how writing takes my mind off of these woes! While I have writing I haven’t given as much thought… well, except for writing about it every other paragraph… lol.

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Anyways, I really hope that I can get the time… make the time to write and publish editions of; ‘Lost in Space’, ‘The Mars Report’, ‘News from Around the World’ (BOY there is no shortage of that right now, eh?), and ‘The Horror in Smithville’ this week. I want you all to know that I am going to do everything that I can to present these regular articles to you, this week.

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Let me back up, a bit. I added a day of ‘The Horror in Smithville’ for one very good reason. When I got past the thirty or so pages I have ready to publish, I realized that I had totally left out; a character progression, a plot line addition, and a little bit of ‘drity business’ that… well, is very important to the story going ahead. Rather than just bluff my way through and ignore the consequences?

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I decided it would be best if I did my best to integrate the ‘Missing Chapters’ into my weekly publication schedule. That would give all of you more of the story to read, and give me a way to bring the whole picture to life! It is a great idea, if I say so myself, the problem was I had failed to anticipate my failing health… the problems with the blog… and that irritating little distraction called depression. Lol.

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My Dear Readers, I will do my best to bring you the two episodes of ‘The Horror in Smithville’ that I have promised. I just know that, once it is published, you will just love what I am adding to the story line. Further, we all get to know another character in Smithville! Well, that brings us to the end of this week’s publications… and the end of the week.

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I hope that everyone had a great and productive week. I look forward to seeing you, My Dear Readers, here next week! Until then…

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Adieu!

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Thank YOU!
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[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="234"] PLEASE shop at The Other Shoe eBay Store![/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_2866" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Danny Hanning of The Other Shoe - May 6th, 2014[/caption]

 

Daniel Hanning Breaks into an All NEW Medium!

[caption id="attachment_2868" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Danny Hanning of The Other Shoe - May 6th, 2014[/caption]

 

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Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. Many of you have noticed my absence over the past several days. For instance, today I did not publish an edition of 'Lost In Space' as I normal. Please, do not fear. I am in (relative) 'good health' meaning I am in a lot of pain... but what's new, right? Nope, I am not absent because of my ill health. I am absent, well for a better reason.

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Over the past several days I have been teaching myself... … … (drum roll, please!) ANIMATION! That's right, over the past several days I have been working to learn the basics of Animation! I have struggled, over the past several weeks, over just what I could add to The Other Shoe? Add so that I might drive more traffic to my site. The other day I was talking with a good friend and they asked me;

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“Danny what do you like?”

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What my brilliant friend was asking was What do I like to WATCH! The answer to which is very simple, Animation! So you see, My Dear Readers, even when it appears as though I am... idle... not working, in truth? I am!

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Below is an example of my work, so far. Now, understand that the movie below is my very first effort in this all new medium! Truthfully, I am just learing about exporting my work product an the video you see, below, is missing some of the 'layers' I created. This particular animation will work as the introduction to all, future, episodes of 'The Horror in Smithville'.

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ENJOY!

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[youtube=http://youtu.be/n165a1MCVNs]

© 2010 – 2014 Hanning Web Wurx for The Other Shoe