Personal Update/Video... Video Update... Either way, WATCH!

[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. Hey there, My Dear Readers! I had just finished writing, and publishing… well you won’t ‘see’ it until tomorrow; July 25^th, 2014.. BUT I just finished ‘Part Two – Ralph Simner – The Horror in Smithville’ – Part 8-B’. As I stated it will be available to read as of tomorrow; July 25^th, 2014. I should have it up and visible… but about ‘lunchtime’ Texas time. I just, really, felt like I owed you all some more of an explanation. An explanation of why I didn’t write or publish for, like, three days. So… I made this video.

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NOW, I would like to be back to writing and publishing; ‘The Mars Report’, ‘Lost In Space’, The Horror in Smithville’ and ‘A Week in Review’… like, tomorrow! However, that is not the reality… it’s not going to happen. The reality is; Monday I have ‘surgery’… to remove stuff… biopsy stuff… then there is the (seems like forever) wait for the results of all the biopsies. Now, once I have that in hand I will get the results to you, My Dear Readers.

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Thing of it is? I am hoping that I do not ‘have cancer’… if I do? Well, let’s start with ‘if I do NOT’! If I do not have cancer; I will still need to find out why; I am lethargic, loosing weight, have a loss of appetite, why the nightly fevers and ‘night , and all the ‘other’ symptoms I am experiencing. SO! If it is not cancer (YEAH!) I still need to find out what is going on. BUT imagine that I will be back to writing and publishing pretty darn quickly after finding out the cancer is a negatory!

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NEXT! If I DO have cancer… If the biopsies show cancer… whatever… I will take some time… away. I will not be; writing, publishing, promoting or on the internet… except for maybe playing some MMORPGs. I will be available for people to; call, write, send smoke signals, anything. I am not going to isolate myself and any and all contact with the outside world… is welcome!

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Most importantly… ‘if’ I have the results that I do ‘have cancer’? I WILL BE working to raise MONEY! Yeah, I do NOT want to try and ‘fight cancer’ on Medi-Cal and Medicare! NO flipping WAY! I am going to need the understanding and support of EVERYONE! That means YOU! I will ‘fight cancer’… but only if I can ‘stack the deck’ in my favor… and I do think that everyone would do the same.

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Like I told Allen… my Biggest fear in life is not ‘having Cancer’… it is ‘having cancer’ WHILE POOR! That’s just not ‘right’! anyway, If you see me post that I have been diagnosed with ____ cancer? EXPECT me; starting an Indiegogo Fund Raising Campaign. EXPECT me asking YOU for your support… don’t make me come down there!

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That is all for now… WATCH the VIDEO! It is actually funny! Sometimes I can be funny.

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Enjoy!

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[youtube=http://youtu.be/H2BmmHvx8eo]

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

Notes from Behind the Keyboard - July 24th, 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. It has been three days since last I posted. I apologize for the absence, but it is not without good reason. On Tuesday, just two days ago, I visited my Infectious Disease specialist. Evidently between the CT scan results and the blood test results, I am headed to a wee bit of surgery. On Monday, the 28^th of June, I am to have several “growths” removed and biopsies taken.

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Honestly, My Dear Readers with this hanging over my head I just have not felt the desire to write. Yes, I am terribly depressed and I sit around, alone, and just kind of worry and think. Allen is still working two jobs, and that means that he is gone most of the time. Since this… course of events, my time alone has not be spent productively. I (used to) get right up in the morning and start up the computer. Check out the news of the day, and start up the word processor.

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One thing would lead to another, and soon I would be writing something at a frantic pace. That is not the case, for the past several days. I get up... watch the news… then I sit, kind of depressed, and think of what life will be like if I am diagnosed with cancer. That sets in and, soon the day is lost to thought and depression. I know that, in time, that I am going to deeply regret this ‘lost time’. That I could be working on the ‘Missing Chapters’ of ‘The Horror in Smithville’ that are so very essential to the continuation of that work.

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Most of all, I miss writing and seeing that my work is read. The ‘Likes’ and the traffic numbers spiraling upwards. Now, they are trending down as I am not producing and not promoting. I am sorry… My Dear Readers, it is just I am overwhelmed with this.

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I hope that I will get negative results and be seen clear of cancer. I am sure, that shortly after; I will get back into my habit of writing and publishing. Right now… I am just going to read some… and think.

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I did not want to leave the blog empty for anymore days. It has been three days since I posted… and I just had to write and tell all of you, My Dear Readers, something. I am here… I am… well? I am waiting to hear. I am depressed and I am genuinely hoping that this is all behind me, soon.

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Take care… and just as soon as I know something… you will, too.

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Adieu!

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Thank YOU!

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[caption id="attachment_2866" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Danny Hanning of The Other Shoe - May 6th, 2014[/caption]

Notes From Behind the Keyboard - July 21st, 2014

Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. My Dear Readers, here I am all ready to start another week of writing and publication. Yet, I am still plagued with problems with my primary blog location at Blog Dot Com! Now, My Dear Readers, I do not mind the work that is needed for writing and publication for my blog. It is a ‘labor of love’! However, the frustration and anxiety that comes with; uploading to have files missing due to ‘504 – Gateway Time-Out’ errors, copy/paste whole articles from Word into the editor program at Blog Dot Com only to have it all disappear due to a ‘502 – Bad Gateway’ error, and my favorite is managing to get the whole article uploaded and images placed all to have it completely disappear and have to start all over AGAIN!

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

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Already, My Dear Readers, I am racked with anxiety over my oncologist visit, tomorrow. Already, I am gravely concerned by the results of my last C.T. Scan. I manage, the best that I can, to work in spite of the terrible pain(s) and lack of sleep due to my damage to nerve roots, and spinal stenosis (now elevated to “moderate to severe”). As if all that is not enough, in order to keep my word and write and publish for you, My Dear Readers, to read and enjoy I have to continually fight with this darn failing blog!

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[caption id="attachment_3253" align="aligncenter" width="630"] 504 Gateway Time-Out[/caption]

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I am weak, from not having an appetite. I am really tired, from not getting enough uninterrupted sleep. I have… muddled through for the past month, My Dear Readers, and done my level best to not complain or fail to publish. Today, I deeply and sincerely apologize for not having the… gumption to write and publish an edition of ‘The Mars Report’ today. I am going to have to fight this stupid blog just to get this published. Once that is done, I am going to rest ahead of tomorrow’s long bus rides… and news from my C.T. Scan.

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[caption id="attachment_3254" align="aligncenter" width="630"] The Other Shoe... Damaged[/caption]

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Alas, My Dear Readers, there is a solution to this problem… well there are two. Let me outline the two ‘solutions’:

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1. 1. Abandon all FIVE HUNDRED articles published here at Blog Dot Com and just publish at the Word Press blog location. I am extremely hesitant to ‘pull the trigger’ on that ’solution’… as any writer might imagine!


2. 2. Garner support (financial assistance) to purchase ‘The Other Shoe’ at dot net, dot com, or other domain. Once I have the domain purchased I would need to have funds for the; web hosting, blog software and any other expenses associated with ‘going it alone’ with The Other Shoe.


3. 3. Just STOP writing and publishing. I included this… because I am being truthful… and even though something would die inside me… this is an alternative.

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My Dear Readers those are the three ‘solutions’ that I can think of… well, that and ‘wait for them to fix this blog… again, and again, and again. Just what I have been doing for the past three years here at Blog Dot Com. Solutions to a problem with growing consequence. You see, My Dear Readers, I do advertise my ‘store’ at eBay. There I put up items of my own… my personal possessions… to sell in hopes of raising money.

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That brings us to the end of this edition of ‘Notes From Behind the Keyboard’. I apologize for the ‘tone’ of this publication. However, this whole… ‘visit to the oncologist’… not knowing what is to come tomorrow. It weighs on me, heavily. I will post, on Facebook, updates throughout the day, tomorrow. If you do not have me on Facebook, and would like to be kept abreast of the events of the day?

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I am Danny Hanning on Facebook and you can look me up, or just click on the embedded link in my name < back there. I will be accepting all ‘Friend Requests’ for the next several days. Now, I am very tired and in a great deal of pain. I am going to rest my neck… rest my head… and just rest.

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I hope that everyone has a good and productive week!

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Adieu!

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Thank YOU!

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

 

The Horror in Smithville - The 'Missing' Chapters!

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[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. Today is Thursday July the 17^th 2014. Until recently Thursday was the day that I published my newest project, a venture into the horror genre, 'The Horror in Smithville'. However, a few weeks ago I received a comment suggesting that I was 'missing a great market opportunity... put it on Friday... fresh in their minds for weekend reading'. I took this advice and moved the publication of 'The Horror in Smithville' over to Friday. Sure enough, my friend was correct. More and more people, appeared, to read and 'Like' this venture into horror when I published it on Friday. 

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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   !

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That means that what I have written, and published, below actually happened between Part Two and Part Three. Hence, the chapter designation Part 2B! Previously I did not have a large role for Archer's father to play, in this story. However, certain... elements of the novel have come to light and I have changed my designs on Ralph Simner. Ralph Simner is father to Archer Simner and husband to Becky Simner.

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As I indicated earlier, when I first started out with this novel Ralph did not have a large role to play. I explained that he was here, that he was Archer's father, and husband to Becky. Beyond that... well, My Dear Readers, he did not play any role in any plot line, nor was he party to any other character's development. THAT changed today! I am not going to tell you just how this has changed, nor will I explain why it is I feel it important to add a whole day to the publication schedule of 'The Horror in Smithville'. However, as anyone can likely figure out, the role that Ralph does play (now) is important enough that I backtrack and include these chapters before we get too far in out story.

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This whole experience reminds of me a line from a play I just loved performing. The name is 'The Zoo Story' by Edward Albee. The line goes like this; “Sometimes you have to go a very long distance out of your way, in order to come back a short distance... correctly!” THAT, My Dear Readers, is exactly what you and I are going to do, today. We are going to do engage in this... long distance out of our way, in order to come back a short distance... CORRECTLY for the next two to three weeks.

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Today we are going to get some back-storyabout Ralph. Look in on a very intense, and life changing, conversation between Ralph and Becky prior to Archer's birth, and then we are going to take a little trip up to our current time in the story. Next week we are going to get some more information and character development for Ralph, and bring him up to about Chapter eight or nine in our story line. The (should be) final 'Thursday Special Episode' will be published on July 31^st, 2014. After that we (should) be finished going back and forth in time for the sake of Ralph... and the (much) larger role he has to play in our story.

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Now, My Dear Readers, when at first I started this... experiment in 'Real-Time Publication' I did warn that there would be... events, like this one. That, maybe... occasionally, we would have to go back and pick-up people or characters that I/we missed on our first pass. For me, as a writer and publisher, this is really kind of different! Here I am plugging along with my story line and characters... when suddenly I realize that I have totally missed out on a possible character development opportunity and and opportunity to develop... redraw familial lines! In the process I get to 'bring to life' a character that, previously, was little more that set decoration!

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Now, My Dear Readers, (and I have given a lot fo thought about just how this would be for you) this gives you a very unique opportunity to 'see' behind the curtain. To witness the inner workings of a writer's mind. You get to 'see' why a certain character is moved from... furniture status, to a whole filled out character with emotions, a role to play and a life lead... and (perhaps) ended. You get to actually 'see' just how I have changed the interpersonal dynamics of my characters and altered the landscape for all concerned!

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Truthfully? I have never seen anything like this before in all the reading and all the books and all the magazines I have read in my entire life! This is such a wonderful and unique opportunity for you, My Dear Readers! This is something that, if you lived to be two hundred, I sincerely doubt you will ever experience this kind of literary event, again. You see... I do really treasure you, My Dear Readers!

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So, without further adieu I give, to you, Ralph Simner!

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Part Two B

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Ralph Simner had been born to be a coal miner, like his father before him and his father before that, for more than four generations. Ralph and began working in the mines at the age of 17. Before that Ralph had worked for the mining company; cleaning, sharpening tools, taking out garbage, and any other odd job the mining company could find for him. For the past hundred years mining ran through the veins of the Simner men as thick as this so it did in their lungs. It struck Ralph as one of the heart coincidences of life that only weeks after Becky told him she was pregnant the mine, in town, started shutting down.

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With a boy on the way, and is only means of income going the way, Ralph Simner was a man lost in a world that was changing. Even before Ralph received his last check from the mind he started looking for new work all around town. The problem with that was 1000 other men were doing the same thing in that town of less than 3000 people. It was a scant month before Becky came to Ralph with a question.

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“Ralph, hun, how would you feel about raising the hour little boy in Smithville?”

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Now Smithville was all too familiar with Ralph Simner. Smithville was home to Linda, his wife Becky’s aunt. Smithville was also, for Ralph Simner, a sign of failure. Failure that Ralph Simner would be unable to raise his son, Archer, in the same town he had been raised, his father had been raised, his grandfather and been raised, and his great-grandfather had grown up. Ralph Simner is not only a hard-working man Ralph Simner was a very proud man.

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“Becky what would I do for a living, if we were to move to Smithville and I’m not saying I’m ready to up and move my family out of Tennessee!”

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Becky was prepared for this, she had given a great deal of thought to this conversation and it spoken extensively Linda on the phone about the opportunities that would await them in Smithville. Oh but, My Dear Readers, thinking about a thing and screwing up the courage to do it are two entirely different monsters. Becky took a deep breath, looked her husband Ralph straight in the eyes, and went about explaining to Ralph what is new life in Smithville would entail.

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“Well, Ralph, I glad that you asked because Linda and I have put a lot of thought into us moving, First, I want you to know that we would not be living with Linda for very long… if at all. She says that the Elementary school is looking for a new English teacher! I have already put together my resume and, if you are willing, ready to send it to Linda to forward to the school district. Linda has already found us a really nice place to move in to, it is an old farmhouse! It is in very good repair, the family that lived there had to sell the farm to one of those big corporate farms, but the house is set up as a rental, now.

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The house right next door, to the farmhouse we could rent, the people right next door? Well, they are farmers... the Marref’s I think Linda said; anyway Linda told me that the mother… well she is pregnant, too! Linda told me she believes that she is ‘due’ about the same time our little Archer, sometime in November. Ralph? Little Archer would have a boy his age right next door! Someone to go to school with… someone to play and get in trouble with… someone to be Best Friends with, and Linda says that this family are good people. The Marref’s have been farming that same plot of land for the past hundred years!”

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Right then Ralph interjects, despondently;

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“A hundred years, Becky? Like the hundred years that the Simner’s mined coal right here in Tennessee?”

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Ralph’s words but to the quick, but Becky did not flinch did not show just how much his words hurt. Without missing a best Becky started up, right where she left off.

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“Archer would have a boy, right at his age, to go through all the grades with, study with, have sleepovers with… and… Ralph? Ralph, I could be their English teacher, at least during the first four to five years of their schooling! Ralph? Ralph it is a good town, a farming town just as American as this town… always was to you and to your family. But.. Ralph? The mine, Ralph. The mine is dead, Ralph, and it ain’t coming back! Ralph, there are over a thousand good hard working men, right here in town, fighting over… well, less than a hundred jobs, Ralph. Things are bad, now. But, Ralph, they could get so much worse… if we stay. Now, Ralph, I told you that Linda had a job… for you… Ralph.”

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Right then, at that moment, Ralph had a huge chill go right down his spine. ‘Got a goose walk’n on your grave?’ Is what Ralph’s grandmother would ask, when he would get just such a chill. It was March and not at all cold, outside. There was no chilling air, but the chill Ralph felt was as real and bone-chilling as any he had ever felt. Ralph shook his head, and refocused his attention on what Becky was saying.

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“Ralph, I told you that Linda had found work for you. Ralph, it is work that will make it so that you see your son Archer… every day. All day! You can keep an eye on him, him and the Marref boy, too! You will have the unique opportunity, unlike any other parents, to watch your son grow up… first hand!”

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Ralph noticed two things; first Becky was ‘sellin’ this hard and second Becky was using her other words… like “unique opportunity”. Reminded Ralph of a used car salesmen, or those modern-day grifters that came on the television late at night to steal your hard-earned money. Ralph had even heard was Becky was about to say, and he already knew he wasn’t going to like it, not going to like it at all!

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“Ralph? Ralph Linda tells me that they are in dire need for a janitor… a maintenance and cleaning technician over to the elementary school! Ralph, didn’t you used to clean up and do repairs for the mine, before you started going down into the mine… right? Linda and I have talked and talked, and we think me working in the elementary as an English teacher and you working doing repairs and clean-up… well we think it would give us a unique opportunity to watch our son grow-up! We would have opportunities that other parents would envy! Ralph, this is an opportunity of a lifetime!”

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Ralph swore, quietly in his mind, that if Becky said, “opportunity’ or “unique opportunity” just one more time, he would go stark raving mad. Buurrrr… There was that terrible, bone-deep, chill running through his body. Ralph wasn’t sure if he just went ahead and told Becky “OK” because of all the plotting and planning she had already done… or because he wanted to end the conversation in hopes that when it did end, the chill would go away! Either way…

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“Becky? It is pretty clear that you and your Aunt Linda have given this a great deal of thought. That you have worked, together, to plan this out the best the two of you… could. Becky? I would rather die than leave this town! Somehow… I feel like… if I leave this town… I will… die! But… I’ve made a decision. Becky? Becky get on the phone to your Aunt Linda… and tell your Aunt Linda… we’re moving to Smithville!”

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Just as soon as Ralph had said the name of the town, Ralph fell to his knees. Ralph grabbed himself around his stomach, and started chocking! He couldn’t seem to stop! His whole body lay, on the cold hard linoleum, wracked with chills and chocking! Chocking on some unknown something in his throat! Ralph about blacked out, when Becky came over and picked him up off the floor and held him cradling him in her arms. Ralph’s body was wracked with bone deep chills… his throat felt like something was tearing at it from the inside… and his insides…. His stomach and guts hurt something fierce!

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Ralph lay there, in his wife’s embrace, for several minutes. Then, it all just passed as quickly as it came, Ralph was back to normal. Ralph got up, off the floor, and got himself a glass of tap water. He drank it and thought. Ralph thought about what had just happened. Ralph thought about the fact he had just decided to leave the only place he had ever known, ever felt safe. For a town, and a life, he knew nothing… absolutely nothing about, and Ralph wondered (if for just a minute) if he hadn’t just made the biggest mistake of his adult life.

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Only time would tell, Ralph thought quietly to himself, only time would tell. The very next day Ralph Simner began packing up everything he had ever known into boxes. Then the boxes went into a trailer, they had rented for the move. Everything that Ralph ever knew was going into boxes. Boxes that would be unpacked in a town named Smithville. Smithville would, later, be the town his son was born to. The town where he would raise his son, and watch him grow.

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Yet, every day Ralph spent in Smithville? Every day Ralph spent in Smithville he would get those very same chills. That was until the day he got the phone call. The phone call to come and “make some real CASH!” Some real cash working to help set-up the Carnival and the Haunted House ride for the Harvest Festival! For some odd reason, Ralph Simner did not feel that chill on that day. Not that day or any of the others that we worked out to the Carnival, and not at the school.

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Well, My Dear Readers, that is Ralph Simner so far. Like I said this is just the very first chapter with Ralph playing a larger role. One of, what looks to be, three additionalchapters that I did not have originally planned. Now, what this means to you, My Dear Readers, is that for the next three weeks (including this week) you will be getting a 'Double-Dose' of 'The Horror in Smithville'! Each week you will see, right here, a Thursday edition of 'The Horror in Smithville' that is just about Ralph Simner and the role that I have given him. Then, on Friday you will get the regular weekly chapter of this fine venture into the horror genre.

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The Thursdaychapters will be out of cadence, chronological order, with the Friday chapters. Meaning, that on Friday the story is going along just as it has for the past thirteen weeks. However, each and every Thursday we will be going... backward to pick up the adventures of Ralph Simner. Each Thursday I will let you know just when we are by placing, at the top of the page, a heading. Like, this week, I placed the heading 'Part Two B'. That means that today's special chapter comes after Part Two and before Part Three in our regular story line. As we move on, from here, we will get closer and closer to our real time of the story as it unfolds.

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I really cannot explain it more than that without risking giving away certain... happenings that are essential to Ralph's part to play... and the story line as a whole. Now, My Dear Readers, I thought long and hard about making this addition to the story. I really considered if this would throw people off, if it would be too much of a venture from the 'norm' of story writing. Then, I thought about you, My Dear Readers! Over the past four years you have shown yourselves to be an exceptional group of readers and I felt confident that you would (not only) weather these changes but that you, My Dear Readers, would enjoy the real and special opportunity represented by this extra-special content and character addition.

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That you will all enjoy the unique quality of this opportunity and that it is likely that you will go out into the Real World and tell; friends, family members, co-workers and others about the really special literary event that you are taking part! That you will be so excited that you will be anxious to read the special chapters, on Thursday, and that you will make sure to remind all those you have let into our special literary world. You, My Dear Readers, are a very special breed of reader.

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I hope that you have enjoyed this special Thursday Edition of 'The Horror in Smithville'! Hope that you have enjoyed meeting Ralph Simner, Archer's father. Also, I look forward to seeing you all right here, tomorrow, for another great chapter in the story.. the lives of... the event that is 'The Horror in Smithville! Until then... 

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Adieu!

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Thank YOU!

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[youtube=http://youtu.be/n165a1MCVNs?list=UUnoM3lW9vmuWOLG1c8he52g]

'The Horror in Smithville' Logo with Music!

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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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The Mars Report - July 16th, 2014

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[caption id="attachment_3229" align="aligncenter" width="630"] THE Very FIRST Full Map of MARS![/caption]

(FIRST Full Map of Mars!)

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                 Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. Now, I know that it is Wednesday but I wanted to be sure to get out an edition of ‘The Mars Report’ this week. It doesn’t look as though I will be able to; research, write and publish an all new edition of ‘Lost In Space’ this week. For that I am extremely sorry. However, I am working on animation, making appointments for doctor visits, and making sure everyone had a copy of the radiology report from my most recent C.T. Scan. Just a little excerpt fro that report; “there are no signs of extreme spinal stenosis in the cervical spine…”. Oh, ok.. that means that there is ‘signs of’ mild to moderate spinal stenosis, right? Great… thanks for sharing.

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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.

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[youtube=http://youtu.be/8Alq08Poqb0]

(Curiosity One Year On Mars!)

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In other news Curiosity has just discovered an iron meteorite! That’s right our intrepid voyager, Curiosity, has stumbled upon a large iron meteorite! Like the meteorites found by the previous generation of Martian rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, this iron meteorite measures 2 yards in size. Named, by the NASA/JPL staff, Lebanon and Lebanon 2 (for the smaller piece in the foreground). This is the kind of chance encounter, and discovery, are what makes sojourning on Mars so fun! Below is the image of Lebanon and Lebanon 2.

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[caption id="attachment_3230" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Curiosity's Discovery of Lebanon & Lebanon 2 on Mars[/caption]

(Curiosity's Discovery of Lebanon & Lebanon 2 on Mars)

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That, My Dear Readers¸ brings us to the final picture for your viewing of today’s edition of ‘The Mars Report’. Now, one would think that after more than a hundred years of mankind staring at Mars, that there would be a complete map of the Martian surface. Now, there is! The United States Geological Survey, working with NASA/JPL have released the most complete map of the Martian surface to date. Collected by three NASA spacecraft — Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter — plus the European Space Agency's Mars Express probe. The map covers the entire surface of the planet, piecing together various data to reveal some new insights! Below (and at the top of the page) behold the new map of the Martian surface!

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[caption id="attachment_3229" align="aligncenter" width="630"] THE Very FIRST Full Map of MARS![/caption]

(Complete Map of Martian Surface)

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My Dear Readers, that just did not seem like enough of a picture of Mars. Therefore, I have (below) also included a video of the same map of the Martian surface. This video is a composite of all the images you see above in a repeating loop. So, just click on the Play button below and enjoy the globe of The Martian Surface!

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[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quZMhSohIEU]

(VIDEO OF MARS GLOBE)

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That, My Dear Readers, brings us to the very end of this week’s edition of ‘The Mars Report’. I hope that everyone has enjoyed this little visit to the Martian surface. Enjoyed viewing the very first images of the very first meteorite found my Curiosity. Hope that you have enjoyed the first complete map of the Martian surface and the video of the globe! Every week I strive to bring all of you, My Dear Readers, the best of images from Mars and science, too. Thank you for all your time, and support.

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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

 

A Week in Review - 500th Articles A Week's Celebration!

                Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. For the past two days I have been completely waylaid by pain and fevers. All day Saturday and Sunday I was completely unable to; get out of bed, raise my hands or arms, eat or pretty much anything. Today, I am feeling less pain, but I am still without the strength to do anything. However, I see that my blog traffic is down to TEN PEOPLE! My heart weeps, seriously. I am fairly upset that my pride and joy has fallen this far… and there is little I can actually do to change this.

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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.

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Honestly? IF I thought I could take a week… rest? I would! I really need some time off. However, each and every time I take even two days off… my blog’s traffic tumbles and suffers. My little personal hell. Anyways, here is a review of the week of review articles!

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• FIVE HUNDRED ARTICLES a Review & Celebration! #1 Redux : “Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. It is my sincere hope that everyone had a very safe and fun July 4^th weekend! This is the very heart of our ‘American Summer’ season, and one of the favorites for American children all over our great nation. I remember sitting atop the Herman Professional Building, right across the street from the Herman Zoo and Herman Park watching the 4^th fireworks while sitting in an air-conditioned office. Sitting and eating orange slices with my face (nearly) plastered to the doctor’s office window. What a great way to start a summer vacation!” This was the second time I published this article. NEITHER time did I realize that I misspelled the word ‘Review’ in both! One would think that somebody that reads my blog… and cares would have told me I made this mistake. Yeah… I am REALLY depressed… and it is only getting worse. Here is the first of the five articles I wrote to (try to) celebrate the publication of my 500^th article here at The Other Shoe. This review is of the wondrous article series ‘Lost In Space’! For the past year this article series has shared incredible images from the Hubble Space Telescope (and other sources) that have literally taken the breath away form hundreds of readers. Quickly ‘Lost In Space’ has driven large amounts of traffic to this blog. Wonder and spectacle are the hallmarks of this series. I hope to continue publishing this wonderful series of articles… just as soon as I am feeling better.


• FIVE HUNDRED Articles – #2 – The Mars Report : “Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. Today is a continuation of the celebration of the publication (lots o’ations… there) of my Five Hundredth Article here at The Other Shoe. Yesterday we celebrated this auspicious occasion with a review of ‘Lost In Space’! With less than one year in publication, this article series enjoys a large following and handsome traffic numbers. I greatly increased its readership and traffic numbers, two weeks ago, by starting the ‘Tour of Our Solar System’ mini-series.” This is the second article of this celebratory series of articles, showcasing the terribly popular article series ‘The Mars Report’! My Dear Readers, “The Mars Report’ is the single most popular science based article series ever, for this blog. Over the past two years this single article series has driven thousands of readers to this blog. Combining cutting edge science with incredible and breathtaking images from Mars, this article series is one of the linchpins of my blog(s) and written works. Each week I publish this article it beings me tremendous pride and joy to thousands of readers.


• FIVE HUNDRED Articles – Part Three – MMORPGs And YOU! : “Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. Here we are, My Dear Readers, well into our ‘Celebration and Review’ in honor of the publication of my Five Hundredth Article here at The Other Shoe. I really feel that I am hitting my stride, with this series. Especially since, yesterday, I spent most of the day; with my head in one imaging tube or another, getting off or on various and sundry mass transit and getting any number of steel needles plunged into the veins in both arms. There is a very good reason I avoid; doctors, hospitals and all medical facilities. Seems once they have me in their grasp… they just do not want to let me go!” Now, My Dear Readers, we come to the crux of my writing and my love! I just love playing GAMES! Right now MMORPGs are my favorite genre of game to play. I am very fortunate that I still have a working ‘Gaming PC’, as this affords me the opportunity to play these wonderful games. Just recently I was given a present… the newest MMORPG – ‘Elder Scrolls Online’! I have been playing the game and this week I am going to make w few In-Game Videos to share right here with you! I am putting together the videos and some ingame screenshots so that I can share with you, My Dear Readers, the wonder that is this new game. This (the THIRD) review article is all about the wonderful article series ‘MMORPGs and YOU!’.


• FIVE HUNDRED ARTICLES – Part Four – Politics and Editorial(s) : “Nothing highlights this more than two occasions when words I wrote found voice on a nationally viewed political news show. Most Americans will live out their entire lives without once their words reaching beyond the limits of their personal world. A handful, even a smaller group than previously mentioned, will have the honor and privilege to hear words they wrote spoken on a national broadcast television show. On July 31^st, 2011 I (Daniel Hanning) joined that small and vocal group of Americans.” TWICE, in my short life, I have had the great honor to hear MY WORDS SPOKEN on national television. This article is a celebration and review of the articles I wrote to celebrate the occasion of my words on national television. Just check out this article and it will tell you all about my moments of pride.


• FIVE HUNDRED ARTICLES – Part FIVE – The Horror in Smithville : “Now, My Dear Readers, I have always wanted to pen horror. Since a boy, reading horror stories late at night under the covers of my bed, desperate to not have my mother find out just what I was reading. I have yearned to write and publish a work of the horror genre. Today, I can cross that off my ‘Bucket List’! Not only have I wrote and published a work of horror… if I may say so myself… I have delved deep into the dark and murky waters of horror itself.” Horror! In all the years I have written, I have always wanted to write horror. Long have I longed for the challenge that is writing in the genre of horror. Now… I have! This article series is the most recent addition to my blog. The most recent and the most talked about, by far! In the coming weeks, and months, Timmy and Archer will take us on a journey to other worlds, other places, and bear witness to great suffering and horror. We last left, our intrepid heroes, Timmy lay unconscious in Archer’s lap. We left the story with Timmy’s father driving (rather recklessly, I might add) the trio (Timmy, Archer and Timmy’s Dad) to the Smithville County Hospital. Timmy had been (what appears as) severely beaten by the ‘school bully’ (I have often wondered… WHY? In our modern society… with school shootings and incredible scholastic standards putting tremendous pressure son children… WHY is it that we still allow ‘School Bulllies’? Certainly we can eradicate them via incarcerartion of violent offenders in ALL grades… RIGHT? Why don’t we DO that and be RID of them? ). This week… if I am feeling up to it… I will publish the next installment of this wonderful horror serial. I, really have about twenty pages already written… It is just a matter of proofing the pages, uploading and publishing. I am hoping that I feel ‘up’ to that task, later this week.

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That, My Dear Readers, brings us to the end of this week’s review… and brings us to the end of the ‘FIVE HUNDREDTH Article a Celebration and Review’. Over the past week I have worked, very had, to present an overview of the past five hundred articles, and four years, here at ‘The Other Shoe’. I have worked, every single week… through much pain and suffering, to bring the very best I have to offer. I do not have ‘a staff’… writers… assistants… publishers… an editor. Each and every week what you see is what I have managed to write, edit and publish… solo!

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Many weeks, like last week, I work through great waves of pain. My Dear Readers, I am not just so sure that I can continue. I just love writing… and I just love ‘seeing’ the traffic numbers… the ‘Visit Counter’ (on the blog) goes from 10… to 20… to 30… to 50! Yes, when it (and it does) hit FIFTY! I am so very deeply moved! Moved that fifty people, every week, are dropping by and READING MY WORK!

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So, I am sure you understand how... when, this week, I see the counter at ten. I am deeply depressed and heart broken. To expend so much effort… to endure so much pain and see my traffic fall? It just breaks my heart. I know that the blog’s web master… the server are having “problems”. I see that I cannot, or have real problems publishing… Still… it hurts.

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I am going to get some rest, later today. Rest and consider… if I am to continue… I want to go on and write and publish… another Five Hundred articles. I want to write for another four to five years. AM I a ‘terrible person’ for wanting… longing for… needing… recognition? That is all I have ever asked… that is all I have ever desired.

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I hope that everyone has enjoyed this ‘Look Back’ at the past Five Hundred Articles here at ‘The Other Shoe’.

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Adieu!

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Thank YOU!

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

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[caption id="attachment_2866" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Danny Hanning of The Other Shoe - May 6th, 2014[/caption]