Monday, July 30, 2007

The "Bat"vator

Wierd fact totally unrelated to writing, I had to walk through Bruce Wayne's bookcase "elevator" in the space in my building they're using to create sets for the new Batman movie. Definately the closest I'll ever come to being a movie star (in spite of the fact that filming is weeks away).

Friday, July 20, 2007

My theory why Harry Potter lives

Last minute posting of why I think Harry lives:

JK Rowlings is involved with developing a Harry Potter theme park. Harry's death would be bad for the theme park. If he died, she wouldn't have gotten involved.

We'll find out very soon!

Jim D.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Thanksgiving Parade story background

Yesterday, Madeline Smoot posted (at Buried in the Slush Pile) the short story I entered in her writing contest. I offer the following bits of background on the story:

  • The first Macy's parade was November of 1924
  • The ship Stockholm did exist and had arrived just prior to Thanksgiving 1924
  • There were only real animals in that year's parade -- no balloons until a few years later.
  • My father traveled to this country aboard the Stockholm, but on a trip in early 1924. He was nine years old.

Thanks to Madeline for posting the contest on her blog.

Jim D.

College Story

PJ Hoover (Tricia) put out the request to post college stories and offered one up that made me realize why I didn't want my daughter to have a first floor dorm room. Anyhow, here's my story:

Second semester of my freshman year my neighbors were upperclassmen vetenary med students who loved pranks. One evening I came back from dinner and sat down at my desk to study. My two roommates were gone so the room was quiet.......except what was the strange tapping coming from under my desk. Hmmm? Why was there something covering my waste basket?? Why was it weighted down??? How silly of me not to know there was a rooster in it. Now, what would you do if you had a rooster in your sixth floor dorm room? Answer: Wait for an empty elevator send it off to another floor.

Epilog: Rooster was later spotted tied to the Head Resident's door.

Disclaimer for any animal rights people reading this: I was young, crazy and in light of the fact that I'm 57 years old I'm way past the statute of limitations.

Jim D.